Southern by the grace of God: wilderness framing in the heart of Dixie

Abstract

Wilderness advocacy in Alabama is as unique as the cultural flavor of the South. This paper documents how the most recent wave of wilderness activism in Alabama, embodied in the Alabama Wilderness Alliance, Wild Alabama, and WildLaw, have sought to place themselves within the cultural roots and heritage of the American South. In this paper, the efforts and impacts of these organizations are examined. The author concludes that by separating themselves from the larger environmental movement, these groups have staked out their own course of action, with their own emphases, successfully framing the preservation of wild places as a cherished Southern tradition, as central to daily life as college football and prayer meetings.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 2: Wilderness within the context of larger systems; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Walton, Bryan K. 2000. Southern by the grace of God: wilderness framing in the heart of Dixie. In: McCool, Stephen F.; Cole, David N.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 2: Wilderness within the context of larger systems; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 273-278