February 18, 2004
Patty Limerick and Claudia Puska from the
Center of the American West
The Centering of the American West: The Search
for Alternatives to Polarization in the Natural Resource Conflicts of our
Time
Abstract
Reorganized in 1995, the Center of the American
West has been engaged in the longrunning experiment of refusing the usual terms
of opposition (preservationist versus utilitarian, environmentalist versus developer,
even liberal versus conservative) and designing more fruitful and productive
ways of coping with contemporary disputes over natural resource management. The
Center deploys a longer range of time, tracing today's conflicts back to their
origins, as a primary mechanism to provide a more tranquil perspective on today's
conflicts. In matters from energy production to wildlands fire management, Center
of the American West principals try to act as translators and interpreters, carrying
messages between feuding camps and between experts and the general public. Good
ties with federal agencies have been especially valuable in these enterprises.
Limerick will review the Center of the American West's history and major projects,
and the discussion will explore possible collaborations and partnerships with
the Center for LifeLong Learning and Design.
Return to L3D Calendar Page