Which We, Whose Wisdom, Whither the Mountain West?

Abstract

The difficulties of correcting the problems of unsuitable “scientific” management, while attempting to reshape how science should connect to policy for the future, are vividly illustrated by federal land management in the American West. Endangered species management, the encroachment of second homes into forest land, diminishing faith in the federal government, falling agency budgets, the increase of local participation in resource management, the philosophical shift toward privatization and globalization, and other significant trends add to the difficulties of the federal land agencies. With little credibility and increasing challenges, these agencies are finding it hard to begin a transition to an ecosystems approach to management. The writer discusses a number of books that have been written about this situation.