While I understand the reasoning behind Ellen's and Jorge's view of
a Landscape Appreciator NOT being "professional", I disagree. In
support of my disagreeement, I offer two sources: 1) The
professional periodical "Landscape Journal", first published in 1982-
-and still going strong with two volumes/year--by the University of
Wisconsin Press and 2) the journal "Landscape", originally published
by J.B. Jackson beginning in 1951 and continuing until 1994 (around
the time Jackson died). In the scholarly arena with which I am
familiar, both journals are often referenced when any form of
landscape study, analysis, or "appreciation" is being produced.

These two periodicals contain(ed) very specific
landscape "appreciation" articles written by "scholars" who,
according to the works they produce, could certainly be
considered "professional landscape appreciators", as defined by
Ellen and Jorge in their respective posts, because a big part of
their paid employment relies on garnering publications. The
subsequent "appreciation" of different landscapes in these journals
is sometimes critical, sometimes vernacular, sometimes theoretical.
Yet in every article I've read from these journals, each reads from
the standpoint of a "professional landscape appreciator".

Now, of course the "title" of "appreciator" is not given. But there
are many related titles of "Appreciator", just as there are in other
professions. For example, other than a history teacher
(or professor), how often do we see the "title" of "Historian"
bestowed upon a person, even though their professional employment
might be totally ensconced in hostory? Likewise with the title
of "Art Historian"? How many current professional titles have you
seen bearing that of "Sociologist", "Geographer", "Philosopher",
or "Religionist"? (This topic--why people are not given titles
related to their chosen field of study--belongs in another
discussion group, I believe).

Perhaps the "title" of Landscape Appreciator is a self-proclaimed or
self-chosen one? And what would be wrong with that? And what
constitutes a "professional" anything? The mere fact of being paid
for it? If that's the case, I am a "professional" in a lot of
things...