The question of access to natural landscapes in the United States is a complex and often contentious issue, starkly contrasting with the established rights of way enjoyed by citizens in many European nations. While countries like Britain, Norway, and Sweden have long-standing traditions of "the right to roam," allowing individuals to traverse private land for recreation under certain conditions, Americans largely lack such legal recourse within their own borders. This disparity has prompted significant debate and calls for a reevaluation of property rights and public access. Ken Ilgunas, author of the influential book This Land Is Our Land, argues that a more flexible approach to land ownership could foster greater national unity and reduce societal divisions. His work delves into the historical and philosophical underpinnings of land access in the U.S. and advocates for policies that expand opportunities for public enjoyment of natural spaces. The implications of this legal and cultural difference are far-reaching, impacting recreational opportunities, conservation efforts, and the very definition of public versus private space.
Legal Battles Over Nature’s Rights
The legal landscape surrounding the rights of nature is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation, bringing into sharp focus intricate questions about ownership, copyright, and the legal standing of non-human entities. A particularly emblematic case involves photographer David Slater and a series of now-famous "monkey selfies" taken by Celebes crested macaques in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The controversy erupted when Wikimedia Commons, a repository for free-use media, refused to remove Slater’s photographs, arguing that copyright could not be held by an animal. This stance led to a protracted legal battle, with Slater reportedly facing significant financial strain and finding himself unable to pursue further legal action against the internet giant.
The core of the dispute lies in the concept of copyright, traditionally reserved for human creators. Animal rights organizations, such as PETA, have argued for the recognition of animal sentience and the right of animals to benefit from their own creations. However, legal systems worldwide have largely been slow to adapt to these evolving ethical considerations. Slater’s efforts to reclaim ownership and control over images captured by the macaques highlight the legal vacuum that exists when attempting to apply human-centric laws to the natural world. His personal website, djsphotography.co.uk, provides a platform for him to share his perspective on the affair and to advocate for the welfare of the monkeys of Sulawesi, underscoring the intertwined nature of artistic rights and conservation concerns.
This unfolding legal drama is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a broader global movement advocating for the "rights of nature." David Boyd’s book, The Rights of Nature: A Legal Revolution That Could Save the World, offers a comprehensive exploration of the philosophical and practical dimensions of this burgeoning legal field. Boyd details how various jurisdictions are beginning to recognize the inherent rights of ecosystems and natural entities, such as rivers and mountains, to exist, flourish, and regenerate. Organizations like the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) and the Nonhuman Rights Project are at the forefront of this movement, working to establish legal frameworks that grant legal personhood to natural entities and hold corporations and governments accountable for environmental degradation. The progress made by these organizations suggests a potential paradigm shift in how humanity perceives its relationship with the natural world, moving from dominion to stewardship and partnership.
Expeditions and Environmental Initiatives
The spirit of exploration and the commitment to environmental action are vividly illustrated through the diverse journeys and projects undertaken by individuals featured in this context. Paul Guschlbauer’s ambitious flight south, intended to be a seamless adventure, encountered significant on-the-ground challenges. His experience in the Atacama Desert, where an expensive 4×4 vehicle broke down at an altitude of 5,200 meters, leading to a late-night police rescue and altitude sickness for the entire party, underscores the unpredictable nature of overland expeditions. The mechanical failure of the vehicle, which remained stranded, serves as a stark reminder of the unforgiving environments that adventurers often navigate. Guschlbauer’s blog, accessible via fly-overland.com and paulguschlbauer.at, offers a compelling narrative that inspires many to pursue pilot licenses, a testament to the allure of aerial exploration. His Instagram presence, @paulguschlbauer, further documents his travels and experiences.
In parallel, Christophe Noel’s prolonged periods of unavailability during the production of this issue were directly linked to his vital humanitarian work. Noel has launched Clean Drink Adventures, an initiative dedicated to providing potable water to rural Nepalese communities, where an estimated 23 million people lack access to safe drinking water. For five weeks, Noel personally delivered water via motorcycle, demonstrating a profound commitment to addressing this critical public health issue. His efforts highlight the urgent need for clean water infrastructure and the impact of individual action in addressing global disparities. Further information about his work and projects can be found at cleandrinkingadventures.org, christophenoel.net, and his Instagram account, @christophe_l_noel.
Preserving Coastal Heritage and Access to Wilderness
The Texas stilt-house cabin project, a program aimed at preserving unique coastal structures, presents a paradox of accessibility. Despite its ongoing nature, the project is remarkably difficult to document and access, with limited online information and unreturned inquiries to the General Land Office, which oversees the initiative. Those seeking to learn more are directed to email [email protected]. However, the visual appeal of stilt houses is easily accessible through the work of writer Michael Medrano and photographer Tim Romano. Their substantial coffee table book, Stilt Houses, offers a captivating visual exploration of these distinctive coastal dwellings. Although the book itself may not carry the olfactory essence of brine and fried shrimp, it serves as a powerful reminder of the Gulf Coast’s unique architectural heritage and the stories embedded within these structures. The book is available at stilthouses.com, and Romano’s photographic work can be explored at timromano.com and @timromanophoto on Instagram.
The issue of land access in the United States is further amplified by the fact that nearly 10 million acres of land, ostensibly belonging to all Americans, remain inaccessible due to private land ownership blocking public passage. This situation has been termed a "disgrace" by advocates for public lands. While the permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund by Congress offers a pathway for land acquisition and preservation, it is viewed as merely a starting point. Environmental journalist Gloria Dickie, in her inaugural piece for Adventure Journal, sheds light on this critical issue. Dickie’s work, detailed at gloriadickie.com and @gloriadickie on Instagram, encourages engagement with organizations such as the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (trcp.org) and the Center for Western Priorities (westernpriorities.org). These groups actively work to advance policies that protect and expand public access to natural resources, advocating for legislative action and public awareness campaigns.
Diverse Voices in Adventure and Art
The creative landscape is further enriched by a diverse array of individuals contributing to the fields of literature, art, and adventure. Jeff Moag, a seasoned contributor to Adventure Journal and former editor of Canoe & Kayak, has penned articles on a range of challenging expeditions, most recently exploring the formidable K2, the last unclimbed 8,000-meter peak, in AJ11. His insights into extreme mountaineering are shared via @jeffmoag on Instagram.
Tessa Hulls emerges as a multidisciplinary artist with a prolific output. Her diverse projects include the creation of a nonfiction graphic novel chronicling her grandmother’s life and an exhibition delving into her Chinese heritage at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. Her artistic endeavors are showcased at tessahulls.com and @tessahulls on Instagram.
In the realm of long-distance hiking, Kolby Kirk is a recognized figure. His captivating video, "Condor’s PCT Adventure in 3 Minutes," available on Adventure Journal’s online resources, offers a glimpse into his remarkable journey. Further documentation of his adventures can be found at thehikeguy.com and @thehikeguy on Instagram.
The literary world is represented by David Stevenson, an accomplished alpinist and ski mountaineer. As the director of the Creative Writing and Literary Arts program at the University of Alaska in Anchorage, Stevenson brings a unique perspective to his narratives, which can be explored at ddstevenson.blogspot.com. Complementing these literary contributions is the art of Tom Baumgartner, who resides in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. His artistic vision is presented at patternology.com.
The legacy of artist Anne Brigman is celebrated through a comprehensive retrospective book published by Rizzoli. While her exhibition at the Nevada Museum of Art concluded in January 2019, her influential photographs remain preserved in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian, underscoring her lasting impact on the art world.
The vanlife movement continues to inspire, with Megan McDuffie and Michael van Vliet, known online as Fresh Off the Grid, returning to their nomadic lifestyle. After a period of settling in Bend, Oregon, the couple has resumed their travels, sharing their culinary adventures and insights into sustainable living at freshoffthegrid.com and @freshoffthegrid on Instagram.
The Unfolding Narrative of Cuban Surfing
The surf scene in Cuba, while still navigating considerable challenges, is characterized by the profound passion of its practitioners. The documentary film Havana Libre, currently in post-production, aims to capture this unique story. Viewers can follow its progress and learn more about Cuban surfing at makewild.co/cuba. This platform also offers The Cuba Unknown, an 180-page photo and guide book that delves into the island’s surf culture, featuring some of the imagery presented in this publication. The dedication of Cuban surfers in the face of logistical and economic obstacles is a testament to the universal allure of the ocean and the resilience of the human spirit.
