Lisa Chase

Public Participation in Wildlife Management: What Do Stakeholders Want?

As public participation in environmental decisions has increased, natural resource management agencies have been challenged to involve stakeholders constructively in the resolution of a variety of contentious issues. This research examines how evaluative criteria, initially derived from theory and literature and then refined based on input from agency staff and stakeholders, can provide natural resource agencies with guidance for designing context-specific stakeholder involvement strategies. To provide illustrations, we conducted inquiries in two communities experiencing wildlife management conflicts. Results suggest that quality stakeholder involvement processes use scientific information, have genuine influence on decisions, treat citizens fairly, and promote informative communication and learning.

Stakeholder Engagement in Tourism Planning and Development

Quality-of-life is at the center of decisions about tourism planning and development for residents of host communities. Stakeholders are affected in different ways by tourism development; as some stakeholders may see an increase in their quality-of-life, others may experience a decrease in quality-of-life, and still others may experience mixed impacts. Understanding diverse perspectives of stakeholders and how they are affected by tourism development is critical for constructively engaging stakeholders in planning, but designing an effective strategy is not straightforward. Several techniques exist to engage stakeholders, ranging from information dissemination to public meetings to task forces. Case studies of participatory modeling workshops, training and technical assistance, and surveys and focus groups illustrate the effectiveness of different techniques applied in different situations. Challenges to constructively engage stakeholders include resistance among stakeholder sets, ensuring equity and fairness, problematic relationships among institutions, communication issues, lack of time and money, and difficulty defining and measuring quality-of-life. To address these challenges, researchers are working closely with practitioners to expand the body of knowledge and practical tools available for engaging stakeholders and assessing quality-of-life indicators for residents of host communities.

Eco-labeling motorcoach operators in the North American travel tour industry: analyzing the role of tour operators

Tourist transportation is a major contributor of emissions and environmental pollutants. Eco-labels can encourage more sustainable tourism by informing consumers’ purchasing decisions, while utilizing market forces to initiate environmental responsibility among competing firms. The Green Coach Certification pilot eco-label program was introduced to the motorcoach industry in 2009 as part of a university research program. Although the literature addresses relationships between end-user consumers and eco-labels, little research has been published on mid-supply chain actors and tourism eco-labels. Tour operators are intermediaries between end-users and motorcoach operators and are important potential consumers of eco-labeled transportation services. To understand the role of tour companies as both consumers and providers of green services and eco-labeled products, a survey was administered to North American tour operators. Results demonstrate tour operator interest in a tourism transportation eco-label; however, this interest may be secondary to traditional considerations like price, reputation for safety and service, and previous partnerships. Ninety percent of tour operators indicated that environmental practices held some importance when choosing a transportation provider; approximately 50% said they would pay between 1% and 5% more for an eco-labeled coach company. Findings have important implications for the design and implementation of eco-labeling programs for sustainable tourism and transportation.

Participatory Modeling as a Tool for Community Development Planning: Tourism in the Northern Forest

Tourism development planning is challenging for rural communities transitioning from dependence on resource extraction to a diversified economy including tourism. This research examines how participatory modeling can help communities improve their understanding of diverse perspectives and identify intrinsically linked components of tourism. Using a participatory process in six communities in the Northern Forest region of the northeastern United States, a dynamic computer model was developed illustrating complex relationships associated with recreation and tourism development. A user-friendly interface and step-by-step manual were distributed to facilitate application of the model by community planners. Evaluation of the model indicated that barriers limited widespread adoption of the model as a decision-making aid for planners. However, evaluation of the modeling process revealed positive impacts on community capacity including fostering dialogue, increasing understanding of different perspectives, and helping to build consensus.

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail: economic impacts and implications for community development

Recreation is increasingly promoted as a sustainable means of diversifying rural economies, yet few studies have explored how the characteristics of a recreational activity and its economic impact can vary significantly between communities. This research examined the economic impact of paddler recreation in six communities along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Results indicate that approximately 90,000 visitors paddled the waterways in 2006. Their spending created

Ecolabels for Passenger Transportation: Understanding Motorcoach Company Receptiveness to a Pilot Green Certification Program

12 million in economic impacts, supporting about 280 jobs. However, economic impacts varied considerably between communities, due to differences in the number of users, trip lengths, lodging choices, group size, travel distances, and use of outfitters. This finding suggests that, while expenditures by visitors may help diversify local economies, community development practitioners and land managers must be cognizant of the conditions that facilitate visitor use and spending to ensure that potential economic benefits contribute positively to community development.

Does Science Matter? Resource Planning in the Green Mountain National Forest

ABSTRACT In 2009, an internet survey was administered to members of two motorcoach associations to examine sustainability in the passenger transportation sector in the context of environmental certification. Higher levels of company leader familiarity with green practices, more positive company leader attitudes towards these practices, and more green practices within a company were found among groups of company leaders who indicated a greater willingness to participate in a pilot certification program. Additionally, significant positive correlations were found between company leader familiarity with environmental practices, company leader attitudes towards environmental practices, and the number of environmental practices at companies.

Agritourism and Quality-of-Life for Farmers

Conflict between stakeholders can impede implementation of national forest management plans, as was the case in the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. To promote discussion among stakeholders, several meetings were held, some of which provided an opportunity to examine the role of science in resource planning. Credible scientists with different perspectives gave presentations and engaged in discussion with stakeholders. Findings suggest that stakeholders may attempt to use science to exacerbate controversy; however, facilitators can structure meetings so that science can play a positive role, resulting in stakeholder learning and shifts in perspective. In this Vermont example, direct interaction with scientists appeared to have been a key component of stakeholder learning. Given the need for credible science in policy and planning debates, this finding has important implications for scientists seeking to disseminate research results in ways that will impact management.

Designing stakeholder involvement strategies to resolve wildlife management controversies

Agritourism is growing in popularity throughout the United States of America, Europe, and many other countries around the world. By blending tourism with agriculture, agritourism enterprises allow farmers to diversify core operations and keep farmland in production while educating visitors, preserving scenic vistas, and maintaining farming traditions. However, agritourism comes with challenges and is not for every farm. It requires different skills than traditional farming operations, and farmers interested in agritourism often have difficulty finding support for technical assistance and networking opportunities to ensure best practices.