Geography ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 4-10-2020

Abstract

In the urban setting, biodiversity conservation requires intentionally creating spaces humans and wildlife can share. An urban land ethic can guide this process. Developing and practicing this ethic requires asking questions that consider approaches from multiple disciplines and avoid anthropocentric framing. Both More-Than-Human and Critical Physical Geography bring multiple knowledges into conversation to make complex realities visible. This project explores these fields of scholarship as guides for reconciling the needs of the land community.

Sharing familiar spaces creates opportunities for developing ethical relationships between humans, non-humans, and natural systems. Wildlife gardening creates habitat in our residential and community areas, providing wildlife with space and resources for adapting to a changing world. This paper presents the findings of a study evaluating community interest in a citizen science program centered on establishing a local mosaic of backyard habitat patches and discusses the implications for recruiting urban residents to participate in wildlife gardening.

Degree Name

Geography

Department Name

Geography

Level of Degree

Masters

First Committee Member (Chair)

Kristina Maria Doyle Lane, Ph.D.

Second Committee Member

Melinda Harm Benson, J.D.

Third Committee Member

Lisa Gerber, Ph.D.

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Keywords

More-Than-Human Geography, Reconciliation Ecology, Critical Physical Geography, Urban, Habitat, Land Ethic

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