Property Constructs and Nature's Challenge to Perpetuity

Environmental Law and Contrasting Ideas of Nature: A Constructivist Approach (Keith Hirokawa ed. 2013).

SUNY Buffalo Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2014-006

31 Pages Posted: 1 Jul 2013 Last revised: 4 Aug 2015

See all articles by Jessica Owley

Jessica Owley

University of Miami - School of Law

Date Written: July 1, 2013

Abstract

Conservation biology and ecology (as well as our eyes and ears) tell us that nature is in a constant state of flux. Yet, models of land conservation focus on preserving the present state of land in perpetuity. Legal concepts that center on the status quo turn a blind eye to the fact that nature is ever-changing. This conflict is illustrated by examining both traditional property servitudes and conservation easements. These restrictions on private land often explicitly state that they are preserving today’s landscape in perpetuity. This chapter explores the inherent conflict between the changing natural world and rigid legal structures, detailing the struggles of applying principles like resiliency thinking and adaptive management to property tools for conservation. It also explores why this disconnect occurs including some discussion of environmental psychology.

Keywords: property, perpetuity, conservation easements, servitudes, optimism bias, adaptive management, resilience thinking, temporal bias

Suggested Citation

Owley, Jessica, Property Constructs and Nature's Challenge to Perpetuity (July 1, 2013). Environmental Law and Contrasting Ideas of Nature: A Constructivist Approach (Keith Hirokawa ed. 2013)., SUNY Buffalo Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2014-006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2287994

Jessica Owley (Contact Author)

University of Miami - School of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 248087
Coral Gables, FL 33146
United States

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