Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1981. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes 2 surveys in pocket. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 1996. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-142). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Indiana University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-107). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Indiana University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-107).

Over the last thirty years the meaning of the word 'wilderness' has changed in Australia, and it has come under sustained attack on philosophical, cultural, political and ‘justice’ grounds. This thesis investigates the 'Wilderness Knot’ – the confusion and tangled meanings around ‘wilderness’. In the literature this ‘knot’ is comprised of at least five strands; philosophical, political, cultural, justice and exploitation. Normally people focus only on the last of these strands, its economic exploitation. The methodology is qualitative, involving participatory action research (PAR) and hermeneutic phenomenology. The PAR was done with the Blue Mountains Wilderness Network near Sydney, which investigated the confusion around ‘wilderness’, and sought to reduce this by entering into dialogue with supporters, critics and community members interested in wilderness issues, notably the local Aboriginal Traditional Owners (TOs). Eleven in-depth interviews with scholars (including critics) of wilderness were carried out to feed into this PAR. The hermeneutic phenomenology made use of the wilderness journals of five of the Network, and sought to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of wilderness itself, and also the lived experience of encountering the wilderness knot. The PAR provided many insights into the knot, especially regarding the need for dialogue to reduce the confusion. It demonstrated the delicacy needed to gain meaningful dialogue over an issue which raises real passions about social and environmental justice. It took three years to develop meaningful dialogue between TOs and conservationists. The spectra of issues entangled in ‘the land’ and ‘wilderness’ are presented textually and diagrammatically, as are the ways forward to untangle meanings and reduce confusion. The political naivety of academia is discussed in regard to ‘wilderness as lanai’ (considering increasing threats). There is a need for greater rigour in identifying which meaning of ‘wilderness’ is actually being referred to. There is also merit in promoting recognition that ‘wilderness’ is in fact a tribute to past indigenous land practices, not a disregard of indigenous history. The idea of shared ‘custodianship’ or stewardship is suggested as a way forward. The wilderness knot can indeed be loosened, as this thesis demonstrates. However, it will be an ongoing project for all those involved. The art to keeping ‘wilderness as lanai’ is not just ‘eternal vigilance’ it is an eternal ongoing dialogue about its meaning and values. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 1992. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-170). Also available on the World Wide Web.

The use of wilderness rangers to educate visitors on Without-A-Trace camping and wilderness ethics at trailheads is a common management practice, but little is known about how such contacts affect the visitors' wilderness experiences. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Shining Rock Wilderness visitors perceived trailhead contacts as light-handed or heavy-handed and the factors which caused them to perceive the contact the way they did. It also determined whether or not the visitors felt that site conditions in the wilderness were getting better or worse. On-site questionnaires were administered to visitors as they left the area. A majority felt the trailhead contact was a light-handed way to manage wilderness use. The visitors felt that the contact did not take away their freedom to choose how, when or where to recreate. The rangers were perceived as friendly, knowledgeable, and non-authoritarian. The condition of Shining Rock Wilderness was perceived to be relatively free of site impacts. There were no significant differences in the visitors' perceptions of the ranger or the contact due to the sex or experience of the ranger or the sex, age, or experience of the visitors. Implications for wilderness management and research are discussed. / M.S.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Montana, 2008. / Title from author supplied metadata. Description based on contents viewed on June 15, 2009. ETD number: etd-11122008-113833. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-124). Also available on the World Wide Web.