Wise use Movement

The wise use movement is a conglomeration of grassroots activists and organizations presenting an alternative philosophy regarding resource extraction and access on U.S. public lands. The movement started in the late 1980s by a handful of influentials such as Ron Arnold, Chuck “Rent-a-Riot” Cushman, and Allan Gottlieb. Arnold has been Executive Vice President of the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise since 1984, and was honored as the “Father of the Wise Use movement.” His blatant and harsh criticism of environmentalists has made him a veritable spokesperson for the movement.

The authors (Maughan & Nilson) identified the seven predominant strategies of the movement: