THE CHALLENGE OF DEVELOPING SUSTAINABILITY IN TIERRA DEL FUEGO: ENVIRONMENTALIST CONTESTATION OF THE R~OCONDOR FOREST PROJECT IN CHILE by Wayne Crosby BA Sociology, Simon Fraser University, 2002 BA Geography, Simon Fraser University, 2002 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the Department of Sociology and Anthropology O Wayne Crosby 2006 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2006 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. Approval Name: Wayne Crosby Degree: Master of Arts Title of Thesis: THE CHALLENGE OF DEVELOPING SUSTAINABILITY IN TlERRA DEL FUEGO: ENVIRONMENTALIST CONTESTATION OF THE R~OCONDOR FOREST PROJECT IN CHILE Examining Committee: Chair: Dara Culhane Associate Professor of Anthropology Simon Fraser University Dr. Marilyn Gates Senior Supervisor Associate Professor of Anthropology Simon Fraser University Dr. Karl Froschauer Supervisor Assistant Professor of Sociology Simon Fraser University Dr. Ian Angus External Examiner Professor of Humanities Simon Fri~serUniversity Date DefendedlApproved: SIMON FRASER &&Q7 UNIVERSITY~ ibra ry DECLARATION OF PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENCE The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. 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The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simcln Fraser University Archive. Simon Fraser University Libraiy Burnaby, BC, Canacla SIMON FRASER &&FP UNlVERSlTYl ibrary STATEMENT OF ETHICS APPROVAL The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: (a) Human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, (b) Advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research (c) as a co-investigator, in a research project approved in advance, (d) as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices. Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Bennett Libraly Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Abstract Globally and nationally, corporations, states, and social movements are key social actors in initiatives to overcome deforestation through sustainable development projects. In Chile in the early 1990s, the Trillium Corporation of Bellingham, WA, US proposed but, after what amounted to a 13-year dispute, failed to develop the innovative Rio Condor sustainable forestry project to extract timber and foster socio-economic development in Tierra del Fuego. Based on my analysis of findings from participant observation, reports, secondary data, and 40 interviews that included representatives from Trillium, the Chilean government, environmental organizations, media and forest industry, it became evident that these key actors adapted and resisted socially constructed ideas of sustainable development and of environmentalism. In addition, the importance in recognizing ecological limits, regardless of one's take on environmentalism for socio- economic development become evident along with revealing important lessons in the process of developing sustainability. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Environmental Sociology, Environmentalism, Sustainable Forestry, Rio Condor Sustainable Forest Project, Chile., Dedication Quisiera dedicar esta tesis a toda la gente que tuve la oportunidad de conocer durante mi experiencia de trabajo de campo en Chile// wish to dedicate this thesis to the many people I encountered thro~ghoutmy fieldwork experience in Chile. 1 also wish to dedicate this tl~esisto my Mom, Carole Fraser, and the memory of Nana Fraser, Acknowledgements Many people in Chile and Canada contributed to the process of producing this thesis. In Chile, I am very grateful to the many people I encountered during my fieldwork experience for sharing their knowledge and generous hospitality. I am particularly grateful to those that participated in my research and provided me with information to write this thesis. Overall, I was inspired throughout my research experience by the number of people actively engaged in working towards social and ecological change. I am also grateful to those that provided their translating expertise during the interviews: Will Osmond in Santiago and Rodrigo Siron in Punta Arenas, and when Will or Rodrigo were unavailable, Guillette Koning, Chauncey Brooks, or Andrea Andrade Pacheco also assisted. Also, included in translating the excerpts selected for this thesis were Katherine Allen and Alejandro Astudillo along with Eduardo Mandiola who helped with the transcribing. I am grateful to them all for their timely and professional services. In Canada, I wish to thank my Mom, Carole Fraser, for her unconditional support and encouragement throughout this entire process. I also wish to thank my family and many friends who supported me in pursuing my passions and interests in life. There are too many names to list here, but our conversations and time spent together have contributed greatly throughout this process and life in general. During my time at SFU, I was very fortunate to work with Dr. Marilyn Gates and Dr. Karl Froschauer as my committee for this thesis. I am deeply grateful to them both for not only offering me excellent feedback and positive support throughout this thesis, but equally important, the opportunity to develop my own ideas and write the thesis according to my perspective of the forest dispute. Wiiile changes were made throughout the process, the ideas and overall shape of the thesis is how I wanted it to be presented. I would like to express my gratitude in particular to Marilyn Gates for believing in my abilities and encouraging me to challenge myself throughout this experience. Lastly, I wish to thank Luis Contreras and Trillium Corporation for providing me, or granting access to, any and all documents I requested including the Stewardship Principles, scientific studies, photos and maps. I am grateful to their willingness and interest to participate in my research. Table of Contents Approval ..........................................................................................................................................................ii ... Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................III Dedication....................................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................................................vi ... List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... VIII ... List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. VIII List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ....................... ...............................................................................ix Chapter 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 1 A Personal Awakening ........................................ ............................................................................................ 1 Significance of Research ............................................................................................................................. 4 Research Methods and Data Analysis ......................................................................................................8