Operationalizing sense of place to evaluate potential conflicts in natural resource-dependent rural economies

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates possible opportunities for consensus-building using survey data from the Katahdin Region, Maine. The region is primarily known for its abundance in forest-based manufacturing and recreation opportunities and is undergoing a major transition in its regional economy. We do this by applying the sense of place (SOP) framework to test the utility of SOP for understanding the development priorities. We identify the key similarities and differences in SOP between and within demographic groups that might lead to conflicts. Our results can be used to target outreach and facilitation activities to effectively build regional consensus, particularly with respect to targeting economic development. This approach presents a nuanced, yet intuitive picture of regional socioeconomic concerns with significant utility for development practitioners.

KEYWORDS:

• Rural development
• sense of place
• economic development
• natural resource management
• transitional economy

Acknowledgements

A.D. designed the study. M.I. conducted the analysis, with input from A.D., C.S., and J.R. All authors contributed to discussing the results and writing the manuscript. We also thank Jianheng Zhao for her valuable input in the study’s data organization and analysis.

Data availability statement

Survey data and SPSS code used for the analysis are available from the authors upon request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Budget constraints limited our study to just one mailing, which may introduce sample response bias.

2 http://welcome.warnercnr.colostate.edu/~jerryv.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by generous grants from the University of Maine’s Senator George Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions and The Nature Conservancy of Maine.

Notes on contributors

Mary Ignatiadis

Mary Ignatiadis is a masters student in Forest Resources.

Adam Daigneault

Dr Adam Daigneault is an Assistant Professor of Forest Policy and Economics.

Carly Sponarski

Dr Carly Sponarski is an Assistant Professor of Human Dimensions of Wildlife.

Joey Reed

Joey Reed is a masters student in Resource Economics and Policy.