Abstract
Private lands play an important role in sustaining ecosystem functions of rural landscapes that also support quality tourism and recreation experiences. However, land fragmentation has increasingly threatened this role of private lands adjacent to expanding urban areas. This coincides with a growing trend among rural landowners to make their lands available for recreation and tourism-related uses. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of place meaning that connects rural landowners to their property and the surrounding Texas Hill Country on their engagement in tourism/recreation businesses and sustainable land management. Data were collected from a random sample of landowners in the Hill Country. Study findings show that economic disadvantages and commitment to place meanings of property and the Hill Country may have motivated tourism/recreation property owners’ decision to participate in the tourism/recreation businesses. Commitment to meanings of both places also plays a significant role in tourism/recreation property owners’ investment in sustainable land management. Suggestions for natural resource managers and rural tourism advocates to encourage rural tourism/recreation property owners’ involvement in sustainable land management are discussed.
Published Version
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