Abstract
This study investigated residents' perceived value of living near a large-scale publicly owned, rural ecosystem, the Michaux State Forest, and how these perceptions impact the future care, conservation and support of the ecosystem. The focus was on whether residents of such areas develop a sense of place and place attachment that results in better conservation and preservation practices. The purpose of this study was to discover the value of collective place attachment in guiding future willingness, on the part of residents, to support and assist state government organizations and various non-government organizations by increasing personal involvement that encourages better ecosystem management.
Study results suggest that human health and well-being are better in the study area than other places in the state of Pennsylvania, economics of the area are better than in other parts of Pennsylvania and United States and socially the area is close knit and caring. Conservation of the forest and preservation of the agricultural land that surrounds it are underway but there seems to be a lack of involvement with local planning and zoning and a need for education of the population regarding environmental issues.