How Can Societies Create Common Access to Nature? The Roots and Development Process of the Bruce Trail, a Canadian Case Study

Abstract

"The relationship between nature and human beings is a fundamental theme of commons studies. Every economic activity takes place because of ecological support. However, the relation between human beings and nature has become invisible and indirect for us. Generally, it is supposed that the more invisible and indirect the relation, the less attention we pay to the natural environment. One reason of the variety of current environmental problems is in the division between human and nature. It is necessary for us to rebuild sound relationship between human and nature. In this sense, it is very important that society allow the common access to nature so that people can appreciate and enjoy the blessings of nature. From ancient times, access to nature was open to the public or local communities in many countries. However, industrialization, urbanization, and urban sprawl have threatened the right of common access to nature. Some regions -- for example, Scandinavian countries -- have sustained this right throughout industrialization and globalization. On the other hand, in Japan, a district court denied the right of common access to the shore in 1978. Why do some regions succeed in maintaining the right of common access to nature, while some regions fail? How can we keep, reintroduce, create or transplant this right? This paper explores these questions by clarifying the roots and development process of the Bruce Trail -- 885km of main trail and 400km of associated side trails from Niagara to Tobermory along the Niagara Escarpment -- which has been built and maintained by the volunteer-based organization, the Bruce Trail Conservancy. It is interesting how they have succeeded in creating such a long trail in a country that has a strong private land ownership tradition. My conclusion is that they have transplanted ideas from other countries while at the same time adjusting these ideas to the Canadian situation, as they have built a unique open-access trail system."