Our Future Environment

This paper discusses access to private land as it occurs in the balance between the needs and viewpoints of landowners with the needs and viewpoints of eco-tourism groups, most specifically cave explorers. The theories of landscapes, stewardship and psychological ownership enable us to discuss the natural landscape as not just an object but also as a relation between these two groups of persons. Eco-tourism will most likely continue to be a way to make a profit while incorporating the mainstream obsession with environmentally conscious consumption. Caving will most likely continue to pull as far away from eco-tourism as possible. However, caving does provide an example of how natural resource managers can encourage a sense of responsibility, self-identity and the necessity of land-owner/tourist relationships.

Filed under: anthro of property on April 25th, 2008