Book excerpt: In 2004 a group of scientists met to clarify their understanding of place-related concepts, approaches to the study of people-place relations, and the application of that understanding in recreation mgmt. for the purpose of integrating perspectives from different disciplines, discussing approaches to understanding and measuring sense of place, and other questions around the study and application of place-related concepts. Topics that generated the most discussion included how social processes influence place meanings, how place meanings are shared and negotiated within social groups, and when and how place meanings and attachments reduce or avert conflict in natural resource planning and mgmt. This collection of papers is a result of that meeting.