Value Disputes in Urban Ecological Restoration: Lessons from the Chicago Wilderness

Value Disputes in Urban Ecological Restoration: Lessons from the Chicago Wilderness

Academic Unit

College of Arts and Sciences

Publication Date

6-2021

Document Type

Article

Abstract

As a practice to facilitate the recovery of degraded ecosystems, ecological restoration is an inherently value-laden endeavor. Urban ecological restoration further underlines the complexity of value-ladenness involved by situating restoration in politically, ethically, epistemically, and otherwise normatively heterogenous social contexts. One such context that is particularly rich in opportunities for both significant restoration projects and social disputes about the value of such projects is the Chicago Wilderness, a region comprised of a variety of ecosystems on public and private lands across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Here I offer a close reading of value disputes in the Chicago Wilderness among ecologists, practitioners, policymakers, activists, and journalists over the aims, methods, and constitutive activities of urban ecological restoration.

Journal Title

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science

Volume

87

ISSN

00393681

Beginning Page Number

93

Last Page Number

100

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2021.03.007

Value Disputes in Urban Ecological Restoration: Lessons from the Chicago Wilderness

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