BIOREGIONALISM - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THE ADIRONDACKS AND THE SIERRA-NEVADA

The traditional approach to resource management emphasizes local auton omy in regulatory policy, sustained yield in resource allocation, and management by single resource. While maintaining consistency with this paradigm, a number of states have expanded their regulatory and manag ement responsibility as resource issues and problems have outpaced the capabilities of local government to resolve them. This paper contrast s such state efforts with a new paradigm in resource management-ecosys tem management. The requirement of a fundamental change in beliefs att itudes, and values concerning the interaction of humans with their nat ural environment distinguishes bioregionalism from other forms of ecos ystem management and provides the theoretical basis for managing resou rces as an interrelated whole. Addressing the specific topics of susta inable economics, empowerment education, and equity within the context of two case study areas-the Adirondacks and the Sierra Nevada-this pa per explains how bioregionalism can help to resolve environmental issu es and problems.