ABSTRACT
Wicked sustainability challenges require transformative change that will only occur through a combination of individual and collective action. In this chapter, we suggest that cultural ecosystem services (CES) support collective environmental action that can lead to transformative change in ecosystems and culture. The chapter reviews research focused on CES related to place connections (mainly, sense of place) and how place connections influence place-protective behaviors. A conceptual model is presented that depicts the relationships among ecosystems, CES, and collective action as a reinforcing loop that can create a pathway to transformative change. To illustrate this relationship, we share interview data from a case study in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, USA, that examines collective environmental action in support of a transition to renewable energy. The chapter concludes by advocating for increased research on the linkages between CES and collective environmental action, positioning these services as potential catalysts for transformative change.
