Conservation is only a nascent concern in regions with small populations and minimal economic development. Studies of emerging conservation movements in these regions have not determined whether these movements have indigenous roots or whether they are responses to outside stimulation. Little also is known about the ways traditional values and attitudes contribute to their establishment, growth, and form. This doctoral dissertation project will study a fledgling conservation movement in Quintana Roo, Mexico, which until about thirty years ago was a virtually undeveloped territory of low population density and rich natural diversity. Participant observation, interviews, and histories of conservation groups will be used to illuminate the nature of local conservation activities that have been carried out in the wake of rapidly increasing tourism, agricultural activity, and immigration in the state. This project will provide valuable information about the origins, progress, and factors that shape conservation movements, and it could shed light on the changing roles of humans as protectors and manipulators of their environments. This project also will provide an excellent opportunity for a promising young scholar to continue to develop independent research skills.
