Local environmental groups: a systematic enumeration in two geographical areas.

摘要

In this study we systematically inventoried all local environmental groups in 2 geographical areas in the USA: the Delmarva Peninsula (includes the states of Delaware, portions of Maryland and Virginia) and the state of North Carolina. We found 566local groups, 7-20 times the number reported in the best published directory. Three-quarters did not fit the types most commonly characterized in the literature. Extrapolating from our study areas, we estimate that 16000-30000 local environmental groupsare active in the USA. We find that these groups have a subset of "core" members, those active in organizing and local operations. We estimate the population of core members at 265000-290000, over 50 times the total of professional staff members of all US national environmental organizations. These groups affect local and state environmental policy, enforcement of environmental laws, the shaping of environmental issues, and the social infrastructure for environmental behaviours.