Using Photovisualizations to Gain Perspectives on River Conservation over Time

Abstract

The Missisquoi River originates in a densely forested, hilly, and lightly populated region in northern Vermont, USA, flowing north until it crosses the Canadian border. The upper American stretches of the river are federally designated as “Wild and Scenic” in recognition of its outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values. This paper reports on the place-based and river-focused perspectives of rural residents who live and work along the Missisquoi River and its tributaries and who are the recipients of Vermont’s shifting river management strategies. The mixed methods research drew on participant observation, interviews, and interpretations of photovisualizations (PVZs). The PVZ method identified the different geographical imaginaries held by residents and conservation professionals, demonstrating that PVZs can be used as a method to foster dialogue about sense of place and conservation initiatives. Visual aids can help unveil the complex, temporal relationships between landowners and the adjacent waterways, which in turn influence participation in river restoration efforts.

Riverside Placemaking outside Big Cities—The Case Study of Three Polish Rivers

“…Therefore, it can be expected that people's relationships with rivers will deepen, and more and more various meeting and recreational places will be created along the rivers. On the one hand, this is a good forecast because increased contact leads to greater attachment and care for the river [34]. However, as our research shows, the predominance of informal and DIY activities also carries the danger of "polluting" the landscape and increasing conflicts between different user groups [49].…”

“…Similar processes of decline in riverine activities are currently taking place in countries of the Global South [32,33]. At the same time, in northern countries, including Poland, interest in rivers is significantly increasing, this time mainly as places for recreation [31,34]. The same applies to recreation and leisure in rural areas in general.…”

“…These conclusions are very important because examples from Europe and North America show that interest in rivers is growing among both tourists and residents [34,37,[39][40][41]. At the same time, there is talk of a renaissance of rural communities [26].…”

“…Most people living and spending time by rivers appreciate these values and, although they are aware of the dangers that water brings, in most studies conducted in small riverside communities, people expressed respect, attachment, and even love for the river. Their appreciation of the landscape's aesthetic beauty surpasses superficial interest and instead represents their deep cultural identities tied to these places [27,[32][33][34]41].…”