Nature is Pushing One Way and People are Pushing the Other : A Political Ecology of Forest Transitions in Western Montgomery County, PA

Forests in Southeastern Pennsylvania have been shaped by a number of anthropocentric factors over the past century, with many areas experiencing a recent trend towards forest recovery. Studies on forest dynamics have shown that most developed regions exhibit a forest transition, which begins when land is cleared for natural resource extraction (e.g., agriculture, forestry) during an early development stage. Then as a population grows and food production needs are met, rural peoples begin to migrate to the city, and a feeling of scarcity of trees develops that may lead to changes in land management attitudes, and many formerly deforested areas begin a process of forest recovery (Mather 1992, Rudel et al 2005). This process often occurs in conjunction with industrialization in nearby cities. Yet recent research also finds that many areas experience a different trajectory of forest change (Yeo and Huang 2013), or no noticeable transition (Acheson 2008). In such cases, questions arise about whether a forest management policy, rather than feelings of scarcity, promotes reforestation (Yeo and Huang 2013). In addition, the question of whether second home and amenity development - an increasing trend in residential development at the urban-rural fringe - is counteracting efforts to reforest in other areas arises (Acheson 2008). My research investigated the trajectory of forest change in a historically rural agricultural landscape as it has transitioned over time to an amenity-oriented exurban residential area. This study also explores how current residents of this landscape are altering the forest through their perspectives on land management and stewardship practices. My case study focuses on the historically rural Stone Hill Conservation Landscape, a largely agricultural productivist landscape in the mid-1900s, located just outside the Borough of Schwenksville in western Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Drawing on grounded visualization approaches used in case studies of rural-to-urban transitions, I documented the interactions of exurbanites on forest transitions in the area. In order to better understand this migration and current stewardship practices in the area, I conducted semi structured interviews with eight residents living adjacent to one of the Conservation Landscape\u27s preserves. These interviews focused on the residents\u27 motivations for migrating, land management strategies regarding practices such as planting, cutting trees, removing weeds, and establishing lawn, and their views on development in Stone Hill. Their diverse perspectives placed them into three different categories; suburban idyll, pastoral/rural idyll, and nature/forest idyll. Then, using Google Earth aerial photo analysis, I documented the overall trend of reforestation in some of the study area while detailing reforestation and efforts by some exurbanites to minimize their impacts on forest loss. Results demonstrate that the attitudes and stewardship practices of exurban amenity migrants have a noticeable effect on the forest transition occurring in Stone Hill. It is important to understand this exurban forest transition because it contributes to the minimal existing literature on forest transitions in exurban landscapes of the Mid-Atlantic. Further it is important from a conservation perspective because these insights provide us with forest histories as well as a foreshadowing of possible clearing for further exurban development

Nature is Pushing One Way and People are Pushing the Other : A Political Ecology of Forest Transitions in Western Montgomery County, PA

Forests in Southeastern Pennsylvania have been shaped by a number of anthropocentric factors over the past century, with many areas experiencing a recent trend towards forest recovery. Studies on forest dynamics have shown that most developed regions exhibit a forest transition, which begins when land is cleared for natural resource extraction (e.g., agriculture, forestry) during an early development stage. Then as a population grows and food production needs are met, rural peoples begin to migrate to the city, and a feeling of scarcity of trees develops that may lead to changes in land management attitudes, and many formerly deforested areas begin a process of forest recovery (Mather 1992, Rudel et al 2005). This process often occurs in conjunction with industrialization in nearby cities. Yet recent research also finds that many areas experience a different trajectory of forest change (Yeo and Huang 2013), or no noticeable transition (Acheson 2008). In such cases, questions arise about whether a forest management policy, rather than feelings of scarcity, promotes reforestation (Yeo and Huang 2013). In addition, the question of whether second home and amenity development - an increasing trend in residential development at the urban-rural fringe - is counteracting efforts to reforest in other areas arises (Acheson 2008). My research investigated the trajectory of forest change in a historically rural agricultural landscape as it has transitioned over time to an amenity-oriented exurban residential area. This study also explores how current residents of this landscape are altering the forest through their perspectives on land management and stewardship practices. My case study focuses on the historically rural Stone Hill Conservation Landscape, a largely agricultural productivist landscape in the mid-1900s, located just outside the Borough of Schwenksville in western Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Drawing on grounded visualization approaches used in case studies of rural-to-urban transitions, I documented the interactions of exurbanites on forest transitions in the area. In order to better understand this migration and current stewardship practices in the area, I conducted semi structured interviews with eight residents living adjacent to one of the Conservation Landscape\u27s preserves. These interviews focused on the residents\u27 motivations for migrating, land management strategies regarding practices such as planting, cutting trees, removing weeds, and establishing lawn, and their views on development in Stone Hill. Their diverse perspectives placed them into three different categories; suburban idyll, pastoral/rural idyll, and nature/forest idyll. Then, using Google Earth aerial photo analysis, I documented the overall trend of reforestation in some of the study area while detailing reforestation and efforts by some exurbanites to minimize their impacts on forest loss. Results demonstrate that the attitudes and stewardship practices of exurban amenity migrants have a noticeable effect on the forest transition occurring in Stone Hill. It is important to understand this exurban forest transition because it contributes to the minimal existing literature on forest transitions in exurban landscapes of the Mid-Atlantic. Further it is important from a conservation perspective because these insights provide us with forest histories as well as a foreshadowing of possible clearing for further exurban development

The Grizzly, February 28, 2013

UC Employment • Anti-Vandalism Campaign • Student Trip to Haiti • Dean Calls for Faculty Award Nominations • Ninth-Semester Seniors Have Financing Options • Recycling Competition • Oscars Summary • Alum Dance Show • UC Facebook Compliments • Opinion: Strong Performances Sell Silver Linings ; Religion\u27s Influence Too Strong in US Politics • Baseball Looks to Win Under Exeter • Softball Begins Season with Championship Mindset • Wrestling Takes Home CC Team Titlehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1877/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 11, 2013

Drug Search Policy • Advocates Strive to Empower • Diversity Report • 4th Annual Cuts for a Cause April 14 • New Club Fosters School Spirit • Move-Out Program • Pause for Paws Brings Cheer • Opinion: Ritter Needs Renovating; The R Word Hurts • Class of \u2713 Spotlight: Kevin Wilson • Senior Spotlight: Liz Chatburn, Women\u27s Lacrosse • Men\u27s Lacrosse Beats Yorkhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1881/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 21, 2013

Wismer Cited for Health Violations • UC Does the Harlem Shake • Fewer Choose Graduate School • Crigler Reconsiders Admissions Policies • Free Piloxing Classes • Music and Haircuts • Harlem Shake Craze Takes Over Ursinus • Escape Velocity Prepares for Spring Performance • Opinion: Main Street Crosswalk Still Dangerous; Academic Writing a Challenge for International Students • Behind the Scenes: Jim Wagner, Sports Information Director • Bears Lose, Miss Playoffshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1876/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, March 28, 2013

Students Fight Prisons • St. Paddy\u27s Day Cleanup Trouble • Science Plans Change • Town, Gown Growth • 9th Annual Edible Books Festival April 2 • Ricochet, New CIE Event • WeCAN Raises Awareness • UC Tech Support • Opinion: Campus Safety Isn\u27t Customer Service; Dorm Security Shouldn\u27t be Compromised • Coach Profile: Sam Campo, Softball • Senior Spotlight: Allison Pfrommer • Warren Named All-Americanhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1879/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 4, 2013

AFAC to Fund ESPN • No Tolerance for Open Containers • Staff Form Assembly • Transfer Students Offer Perspective on UC • Airband Event • Devoted Yet Battered Players • Blogging has Educational Benefits • Ursinus Students Celebrate World Water Month • Opinion: Seniors, Don\u27t Freak Out About the Future; Extra-Curriculars an Important Part of Education • Ursinus Athletics Struggles • Concussions Affecting UC Athleticshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1880/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, March 21, 2013

Remembering Rachel Blunt • Mental Health Resources • Diversity Committee • Ball at the Bellevue Offers Fun for All • Mock Energy Bills Sent Out • UC Students Prepare for Spring Performance • Accessibility Workshop for Disabled Museum Goers • Opinion: New President Promises Improvement; Tomb Raider Separates Itself from the Competition • Men\u27s Lacrosse Hot Entering CC Play • Women\u27s Lacrosse Looks to Build Off Spring Trip • Gymnastics Team Heads to Nationalshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1878/thumbnail.jp