Toward spatial understanding of environmentally-based voluntary groups

An attempt is made in this paper to complement existing analyses of voluntary groups by outlining some additional explicitly spatial dimensions which, it is argued, can be useful in examining those organizations with a land use or environmental focus. The distinction is drawn between groups which have direct spatial links and those with indirect spatial links; the hierarchical subdivision of space is considered; the role of scale and its relation to perception and desired use of areas is addressed; and the importance of considering the resolution scale of land use and environmental conflicts noted.