Research has shown that more people are migrating to rural areas from urban ones. Rural areas are now composed of a variety of residents from different social and economic backgrounds. Because of this variety of residents, potential for social conflicts exists. One area of possible conflict is the difference in attitudes regarding land use and objectives for the rural landscape. Some planners and sociologists believe a better understanding of the impact of urban migration on the rural landscape is needed. The future character of the rural landscape is uncertain. This research will concentrate on the potential conflicts in attitudes toward the rural landscape among the different groups of residents who now live there. From the possible research questions raised in this area of study, the following hypothesis is suggested: Rural natives and nonnatives have a shared interest in preserving the character of the rural landscape.in which they reside. Testing this hypothesis should provide the land use planner and the landscape architect with a framework with which to evaluate plans and decisions for rural areas. The study area for this research will be Grayson County, Virginia. / M. Arch.