3.1.

4
T H E I N F L U E N C E O F E N V I R O N M E N TA L
M O V E M E N T S O N R E L AT I O N S H I P S W I T H
OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS.
F R O M T H E S T U DY D E S I G N

• Key Knowledge: The foundation and role of environmental

movements in changing relationships with outdoor
environments, in relation to at least one of the following:

• The Wilderness Society

• Key Skills: Describe and analyse the changing

relationships with Australian outdoor environments
influenced by historical events and associated key social
and cultural issues

• Evaluate the role of a specific environmental movement

in changing relationships with outdoor environments
W H AT I S A N E N V I R O N M E N TA L M O V E M E N T ?

 A non-government organisation

 Groups who conduct campaigns on environmental issues

 Community based and made up of volunteers

 Aim to change government policy and protect outdoor

environments
I N T R O D U C T I O N : W H Y D O W E N E E D T O S T U DY T H I S ?

• This area focuses on a time of real change in attitudes amongst society and
the relationships we have with nature.

Brief history:

• Little early concern for the environment, although there was a recognition
of pollution – particularly in water sources – as an issue. First environmental
laws passed. (First Non-Indigenous & Increasing Population)

• Naturalists become interested in Australian flora and fauna throughout the

19th century. (Increasing Population & Industrialisation)

• The first National Parks form in the latter part of the 19th century. Royal
National Park in Sydney, declared in 1879, is the second such place in the
world. (Industrialisation)

• The rise of recreation in the early 20th century – including skiing,

bushwalking, and scouting – gives Australians a greater connection with
natural places and leads to the formation of many protection and
preservation groups. (Nation Building)
THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY
• Established in 1976,

• Not-for-profit, non-government organisation.

• Funding: is provided by members who pay membership and regular

donations to support their work. Other funds come from public
fundraising, bequests and donations, and online and retail sales of
campaign merchandise

“TWS is a national, community-based, environmental advocacy

organisation whose purpose is protecting, promoting and restoring
wilderness and natural processes across Australia for the survival and
ongoing evolution of life on Earth”
ACHIEVEMENTS

• Since its formation in 1976, The Wilderness Society has achieved

the secure protection of over seven million hectares of wilderness
and other high conservation value areas in Australia, including:

• Kakadu

• The Daintree

• Kangaroo Island

• South West Tasmania

• Australia's Sub-Antarctic Islands

• Victoria's Mallee Woodlands.

S T U D E N T TA S K

Read page 158/159

1. How is someone's view and lifestyle in regards to the

outdoors different if they are from an urban (city)
environment compared to rural?

2. List the different environmental interest groups

mentioned.

3. What was the Lake Pedder campaign? What were the

conflicting views/interest parties involved?

4. Was is successful? Why/why not?

5. Watch Lake Pedder campaign video

I N T E R E S T I N G FA C T S

• The Wilderness Society (TWS) is Australia's largest

national, community-based, conservation organisation

• TWS works through the avenues of public education and

empowerment, advocacy and negotiation, political
lobbying, and desk and field research.

• The Wilderness Society supports indigenous land and sea

rights, and is committed to proper and detailed
consultation with affected indigenous people
T H E F R A N K L I N R I V E R C A M PA I G N

• The Franklin and Lake Pedder campaigns are significant moments

in Australian history, developing environmentalism at a national
level.

• These major campaigns began to influence the way people

perceived nature and the relationships/interactions people have
with nature.

• The fight between using the land for its resources vs

conservation/sustainability (Huge media attention!)

• From these campaigns “The Wilderness Society” was formed and

now has become the largest national community based
conservation organisation.

• Today they are involved in several campaigns: climate change,

Gunns Pulp Mill, Kimberley, Marine and Coastal, River protection,
Coal Seam Gas...
THE PHOTO
MEDIA

• Watch the clip on the Franklin River Campaign on our

website.

• Read Article: Franklin River Campaign (word doc)

• There’s a nice summary of the Franklin campaign at

http://www.lakepedder.org/resources/reports/Government
BackgroundFranklin.htm
.
CHANGING
R E L AT I O N S H I P
S

• It’s EXTREMELY important

to us that we understand
HOW environmental
movements have changed
humans relationships with
natural environments.
HOW TWS HAS CHANGED
R E L AT I O N S H I P S

• Greater awareness of the need to protect, and importance

of natural environments

• Mainstreaming environmental issues in society and politics

• Recognition of an individual’s ability to effect change

• Rise of tourism and adventure tourism to remote areas

Textbook p173
W H AT Y O U N E E D T O K N O W

• Describe this environmental movement, including an

overview of its foundation, aims and achievements

• Describe how this environmental movement is connected

with your chosen environment

• Evaluate the role this environmental movement has

played in changing relationships with this environment.