A Watershed Moment: The American West in the Age of Limits [Paperback]

The American West is often portrayed as a place of rugged, unending landscapes presenting us with boundless opportunities. But the land is more fragile and resources more finite than popular perceptions acknowledge. This collection of essays, A Watershed Moment, reveals tensions between a culture of economic growth and personal freedom and the ecological, economic, and social constraints set by community values and the land itself. As Westerners and their communities come up against these limits, the volume editors highlight issues of sustainability endemic to the region and to the nation as a whole.

The volume presents practical approaches to land use, land management, and community planning that are motivated by philosophical views on justice, quality of life, and sustainability in the American West. The contributors are policymakers, government employees, land and water managers, urban planners, biologists, tribal members, writers, and academics from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The result is a compelling vision of place-based, policy-oriented sustainability across the West.Exploring practical approaches to sustainability in the American West“A Watershed Moment's multidisciplinary approach engages a broad audience and presents clear, pragmatic solutions to complex, historically entangled issues.”—Journal of American Culture

“The American West is changing, and the editors ofA Watershed Momenthave curated a collage of stories grounded in particular places to present the pressing issues facing Westerners and to suggest equitable paths forward. . . . An excellent primer for anyone tracking social and political events that intersect with environmental relationships in the region today.”—H-Environment

“For those of us who love the West and are concerned about its future,A Watershed Momenthas arrived at the right moment. It’l3-