chapter 10: working with human communities

Chapter 10: working with human communities

People are everywhere:Cannot do ecosystem management

without considering them!!

How do we do it?

• This covers various ways we work toward common goal.

• Involves more sociology, psychology, and politics than science.

• May seem boring BUT.• As resource managers our goal should be

sound management.• To do so need to work with people!!

How do we do it?

• This gives us the tools.

• Not science as we know it but….

• WE NEED TO WORK WITH PEOPLE!!!

Where do we begin?

• The success Triangle!!• Seems like a good place to start!!

• What is it?• Three elements: -Substance, Process, Relationships.

Substance?

• Technical and factual contents of situation.

• Scientists and technicians have biggest role but…• Can vary by stakeholder.- Biologists: biology is substance- Investors: profit or loss of profit- Community leaders: jobs taxes, - Individuals: salary

Process

• Explicit and formal steps used in making decisions.

• Administrators, lawyers, special interest groups.

• Assure that all is done properly.• Rules: public notification, open meetings,

reviews, etc. • Insure all points of view heard.

Relationships

• Networks among individuals with interest in or influence over decisions.

• Politicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, etc.

• Important for getting your views considered.• Frequent informal and nonspecific

communication.• Build interpersonal trust and credibility.• Can lead to effective ecosystem management.

Stakeholder ID and assessment

• Ecosystem management involves working with broad range of stakeholders.

• Important part of Relationships part of triangle.

• BUT who is a stakeholder?• Five categories (not mutually exclusive)

Stakeholder ID #1

• People who live, work, play, or worship in or near an ecosystem.

• Directly connected with ecosystem• Lives, jobs, beliefs most likely affected.• Including them is the “good neighbor” policy• Examples: individuals, Chambers of

Commerce, Ducks Unlimited, local Audubon Society, etc.

Stakeholder #2

• People interested in the resource, its users, it use or its non-use.

• Don’t live next to but care about its use.• “Community of interests”• Some for total protection• Some for “wise” use.• Examples NGOs, Native Plant societies, Farm

Bureau.

Stakeholder Id #3

• People interested in the processes used to make decisions.

• Care about the legal requirements of decisions• Belief that right decisions will be made only if

the right process is used.• Look for fault in the process.• Environmental Defense, Common Cause.• Watchdogs!!

Stakeholder Id# 4

• People who pay the bills.

• Concerned about how their money is spent• Taxpayers, hunters, fishermen, private

foundations.

Stakeholder Id# 5

• People who represent citizens or are legally responsible for public resources.

• Elected and appointed officials and agency state.

• Have legal authority to protect, preserve.• Trust responsibilities: native American rights.

Principles of Stakeholder Involvement

• Including ALL stakeholders impossible• Important that all or their representatives are

invited: • Called Principle of inclusivity• Can produce conflicts: objective vs

subjective…..• Goal is to identify and understand

common interests.

2nd Principle of involvement

• Self selection: - Stake holders choose their own level of

involvement.

-- Based on level of interest and comfort

-- Can visualize as Stakeholder orbits

Stakeholder orbits• More interest = closer to issue or action (will be more involved)

• Less interest = less interaction and involvement.• Can change orbit as see fit.

3rd Principle of involvement

Diversity of Representation• People involved should be cross-section of

demography and interests.

• Should NOT be just friends or people of similar interest.

Stakeholder Analysis

• Need information on probable relationship with issue or action.

1)Primary information: Names, affiliation, contact information.

2)General Characteristics: Mission or interests, related activities, size and scope of influence, authority over activity

Stakeholder analysis… cont.

3) Interests: Future outcome desired by stakeholder.

4) Probable level of involvement: How does the stakeholder want to participate.

5) Stakeholder needs: What will stakeholder need in order to participate.

Stakeholder views!

• We all view natural resources differently but can be divided into 9 general categories.

1)Aesthetic: A value for the physical attraction and beauty of Nature. Enjoy and appreciate nature for its intrinsic beauty.

2)Dominionistic: A value for the ability to master and control the natural world. Enhanced physical and mental fitness through subduing nature. (Hunters)

Stakeholder views!

3) Humanistic: Strong affection for and emotional attachment to natural world. Believes in developing connection and kinship with nature. (pet owners, zoo visitors)

4) Moralistic: spiritual and moral affinity for the natural world. Assigns near equality to humans and animals and plants. (Peta, etc.

Stakeholder views!

5) Negativistic: Fear, avoidance, and disdain of nature. Regard nature as dangerous and feared. People who prefer to live and play in large cities.

6) Naturalistic: desire to experience natural world directly. See it as physical, mental, emotional renewal. Outdoor hikers, campers, etc.

Stakeholder views!

7) Scientific: Interest in understanding how nature works. Source of wonder and understanding will help us understand ourselves better. (museum goers, nature programs, etc.

Stakeholder views!

8) Symbolic: Nature is source of imagination and communication. Gives us examples of how we might think and act. Fairy tales, children stories, totems, legends religious parables use nature to explain how world works, teach lessons, stimulate our higher purposes.

Stakeholder views!

9) Utilitarian: Material benefits of natural resources. Expresses physical comfort and security that we derive from using nature for food, clothing, shelter, etc.

Levels of involvement

• How active will a particular stakeholder be??

- Depends on: nature of activity/issue and interest of stakeholder.

- Usually greater involvement will occur IF

Levels of Involvement cont.

• Issue is special: not routine but extra.

• Major: not incremental.

• Required rather than voluntary

• Controversial rather than unanimous.


Given particular issue/action, can expect 5 levels of involvement

1)No involvement: can be the opposite of the 4 previous: routine, incremental, voluntary, or unanimous.

- or in case of emergency.

Levels of involvement cont.

2) Notification: form of “good neighbor policy”. Although have legal authority to proceed without consulting, does so.

Many activities on private lands, owners notify neighbors of actions.


• Review and Comment: - Attempt to seek stakeholder reactions- Signals that decision makers open to opinions.- Used to gauge stakeholder preferences- Types: public meetings, workshops, surveys,

press reports, media stories, on-site visits, etc.


• Consultation:- Attempt to get substantive input at early

stages.- May go to stakeholders with preliminary

proposals for input.- May ask stakeholders to generate alternative

proposals.- Can be used to build community support.


• Limited Partnerships:- Agreement among stakeholders to pursue

mutual goals with shared assets of time, money, equipment, or authority.

- Stakeholders given formal authority to make decisions.

- Substantial commitment beyond advise or criticism.

- Highest degree of stakeholder involvement.

Techniques for Stakeholder Involvement

1) Interviews with key informants.-quick assessment of public sentiment- should be chosen to represent wide range- can provide political context of project- use to begin building relationships.- Identify other possible groups.

Techniques for Stakeholder Involvement cont.

2) Establish a local office-Encourages regular and informal communication.- Useful if stakeholders only around periodically- Should be highly visible.

Techniques for Stakeholder Involvement. Cont.

3) Electronic communication.- anonymous method to learn about project- way to express views - Telephone lines most traditional- Internet based growing in popularity.


4) Displays and exhibits at local events- Booths at fairs, community days, shopping malls, etc. - provides opportunity for those who might not be aware.- Place to gather signatures


5) Informal meetings with community groups.- best method for building understanding and input.- variety of groups, each with their own network. Your info can become part of that network.-Provides feedback from potential supporters/nonsupporters.


6) Focus groups- selected participants who are homogeneous demographically.- Participants are comfortable in giving their views.- get honest feedback- Need several to represent community fully.


7) Workshops- small meeting of several hours to generate specific output.- Participants chosen to represent cross-section.- Usually has a facilitator.- 4 elements: orientation, group activity, reporting, and discussion/evaluation


8) Town meetings: opportunity for all to participate.

9) Public meetings: more formal Hearing officer, public notices, formal record.- most common but considered less useful: ritualized, confrontational.

Keys to Successful Collaboration

• Seek to understand others• Listen emphatically• Use many methods of communication• Become engaged together• Focus on interests rather than positions.• Seek what is held in common• Start small but think big• Three little words: we, and (replaces or), with

Workshop

• Small Groups with varied stakeholders

• Chance to get heard but have to be honest

• Need to have some format, some direction.

Need to state Goal

• What do we want to accomplish?• Agreement on reintroduction of wolves.• What are various conflicts?• How can we resolve these conflicts?• What is the common ground? All can agree

on.• What type of agreements can be made?

Points to consider

• Are wolves important? (why do we want to bring them back?)

• How destructive are wolves? - Livestock - Wildlife• What are economic advantages of wolves?

What is it I want?

1) Each group needs to make a list of: - conflicts - common ground - how can we resolve conflicts? 2) Each group needs to make a list of

recommendations: - should we reintroduce wolves? - If so how so as to reduce conflicts

Lot more involved but…

-Basics is to involve, engage, diversify

-A broad based decision is better than a narrow based one.- Aiming for resolution rather than conflict.

What more???

- Lot more but little time. So….

This is the end!!

Hope you enjoyed the class

Hope you learned something!

At the least, wildlife ecology AND Management is mostly Ecology ofWildlife and Management of people!

Final: May 4, 5:00-7:00 pm, here.

chapter 10: working with human communities

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