The New Natural Resource Economy BY SUSAN LURIE AND MICHAEL HIBBARD
Introduction We are in the midst of a significant change in the way Western rural landscapes and natural resources are conceptualized and used. For 150 years or more, traditional forms of natural resource use were the economic mainstay of the rural American West. While the primary Susan Lurie is a faculty sector—agriculture, logging, fishing, mining, research associate with the Institute for Natural and so on—continues to play an important role, over the past twenty-five years uncertainty Resources at Oregon State University. has arisen about its ability to provide a viable economic base for small towns and rural areas. Michael Hibbard is the As a result, many rural Western communities director of the Institute are seeking new economic bases. One important for Policy Research development is the emergence of the New & Innovation at the University of Oregon. Natural Resource Economy.
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Rural Connections Sept. 2011
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