T. Bruce Lauber

Social Networks and Community-Based Natural Resource Management

We conducted case studies of three successful examples of collaborative, community-based natural resource conservation and development. Our purpose was to: (1) identify the functions served by interactions within the social networks of involved stakeholders; (2) describe key structural properties of these social networks; and (3) determine how these structural properties varied when the networks were serving different functions. The case studies relied on semi-structured, in-depth interviews of 8 to 11 key stakeholders at each site who had played a significant role in the collaborative projects. Interview questions focused on the roles played by key stakeholders and the functions of interactions between them. Interactions allowed the exchange of ideas, provided access to funding, and enabled some stakeholders to influence others. The exchange of ideas involved the largest number of stakeholders, the highest percentage of local stakeholders, and the highest density of interactions. Our findings demonstrated the value of tailoring strategies for involving stakeholders to meet different needs during a collaborative, community-based natural resource management project. Widespread involvement of local stakeholders may be most appropriate when ideas for a project are being developed. During efforts to exert influence to secure project approvals or funding, however, involving specific individuals with political connections or influence on possible sources of funds may be critical. Our findings are consistent with past work that has postulated that social networks may require specific characteristics to meet different needs in community-based environmental management.

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.

Chapter 9 Overcoming jurisdictional boundaries through stakeholder engagement and collaborative governance: Lessons learned from white-tailed deer management in the U.S.

Purpose – The purpose is to explore public participation as a means to overcome jurisdictional barriers in governance of trans-boundary wildlife management issues. Methodology/approach – We present one model, defining six philosophical approaches to public participation, then examine relationships between these approaches and traits of stakeholder communities, revealing three distinct governance paradigms: top–down governance, public input, and public engagement. These paradigms illustrate that the different approaches represent fundamentally different types of participation, not simply varying amounts of participation. Using case studies from the United States, we demonstrate how some state, federal, and local government institutions have successfully applied public input and public engagement models of governance to suburban white-tailed deer management. While both models can be used effectively, certain approaches may be preferable to others depending on specific management context, public participation goals, and target publics. Findings – Public input approaches appear better suited to addressing complex problems and communities of interest, while public engagement approaches may better resolve wicked problems that affect communities of place. Future research is needed to clarify the relationship between success of governance paradigms and contextual considerations. Originality/value of chapter – The chapter goes beyond many existing approaches to public participation and governance and presents interesting findings related to exurbanized and protected areas in the USA.

Deer populations up, hunter populations down: implications of interdependence of deer and hunter population dynamics on management.

Abstract White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are managed to yield diverse impacts, including effects to ecosystems. Many conventional hunting systems manage deer abundance through rules that strive to produce recreation opportunities and an equitable distribution of antlered bucks among hunters. To protect against excessive harvests, antlerless deer harvests often are regulated through quotas. This approach is effective when deer productivity does not outstrip capacity of the hunter population to harvest required numbers of antlerless deer. In many areas of North America, abundance of white-tailed deer has increased dramatically in the past two decades, which has caused many wildlife managers to ask whether deer populations can be controlled with conventional harvest strategies. We used population reconstruction modeling to simulate deer populations from mixed hardwood forests in southern New York, determined antlerless deer harvests needed to stabilize or reduce populations, and evaluated whether current hunting systems can effectively achieve potential ecosystem objectives. Current hunter willingness to seek or use antlerless deer permits likely is inadequate to stabilize or reduce deer densities. This situation may be exacerbated in the future with occurrence of diseases in deer or other factors that diminish hunter participation. We discuss implications for effectiveness of ecosystem management.

Refining our vision of citizen participation: Lessons from a moose reintroduction proposal

We evaluated the conceptual basis of a citizen participation program that was part of a process used to decide whether or not to reintroduce moose to northern New York. We used criticisms of liberal political theory to illustrate the potential weaknesses of basing policy decisions mainly on citizens’ preferences. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) determined that it would make its decision about whether to reintroduce moose to northern New York on the basis of citizens ‘ preferences. This strongly influenced how DEC designed its citizen participation strategies. The strategies designed were appropriate for measuring citizens’ preferences, but not for encouraging citizens to develop informed opinions. We argue that for some natural resource policy decisions an expanded vision of citizen participation is necessary. Such a vision should be consistent with the work of Mark Sagoff on the role of values versus preferences, and should seek to discover what citizens think is right a...

The Role of Ethical Judgments Related to Wildlife Fertility Control

Certain species of wildlife cause considerable damage and therefore receive management attention. Traditional management methods rely on lethal control, but fertility control is increasingly being advocated as a more humane alternative. Because wildlife management decisions are influenced by citizen input, it is important to understand what makes people support or oppose lethal control and fertility control. We studied six U.S. communities trying to manage large populations of white-tailed deer or feral cats and categorized the ethical arguments citizens used to support their positions on lethal and fertility control methods. We identified two broad categories of ethical arguments. Arguments in the “obligations to people” category focused on (1) decision-making procedures, (2) public policy decisions, and (3) management outcomes. Arguments in the “obligations to animals and the environment” category focused on (1) life, suffering, and death, (2) altered characteristics of animals, (3) individuals and communities, and (4) invasive species impacts.

Gender and Ethical Judgments About Suburban Deer Management

We compared how men and women made decisions about what options were most appropriate for managing an overabundant deer herd in Irondequoit, NY. Data were collected through a set of in-depth, semistructured interviews and a mail survey. Women and men evaluated deer management alternatives differently; women considered more criteria than men and were more concerned about the ancillary impacts of deer management techniques?the impacts those techniques would have on aspects of their community other than deer-related problems. Results are consistent with theories of gender differences in moral reasoning. Tomore fairly consider both mens and womens concerns when making management decisions, it is recommended that agencies: (1) consider gender when selecting stakeholders to participate in decision making; (2) emphasize deliberative approaches to citizen participation; (3) focus on both mens and womens concerns in communication efforts; and (4) recruit and retain more female professionals for their staffs.

Managing Community Controversy in Suburban Wildlife Management: Adopting Practices that Address Value Differences

Wildlife managers in the United States are devoting greater attention to wildlife in suburban areas, where wildlife in close proximity to people pose problems. Local community leaders and residents often demand to be involved with management decision-making. Wildlife managers attempt to facilitate development of community-derived management objectives and implement management actions tailored to local needs and circumstances. Promoting collaborative solutions in such a complex decision-making environment has several challenges: (1) individuals and groups involved in wildlife issues have markedly different attitudes and values regarding wildlife and its management, (2) participants in decision-making approach the process with differing expectations as to how they will be involved, and (3) the technical and social complexity of these issues demand the knowledge, experience, and skills of multiple players. These challenges for community-based wildlife management in suburban areas need not be viewed as insurmountable obstacles. The authors conducted 12 case studies of community-based collaborative deer management in the eastern United States to examine these challenges more fully. The results suggest that learning and capacity are two important components of effective collaborative, community-based deer management. Funding for this work was provided by the Northeast Wildlife Damage Management Research and Outreach Cooperative, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (New York Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Grant WE-173-G Subgrant 146-R), the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, the University of Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Gender and Citizen Participation in Wildlife Management Decision Making

We compared the motivations and preferences of men and women toward citizen participation in wildlife-related decisions. Data were collected via a mail survey of past participants in New York State Department of Environmental Conservation citizen participation processes completed between 1992 and 1999. We explored gender differences in motivations for participation, preferred process characteristics, and criteria used to evaluate process success. Mens participation was more often motivated by a request from a wildlife-related entity. Women placed more importance on processes having unbiased facilitation and the opportunity for open exchange of ideas and information with the agency. Men placed more importance on the use of scientific information in decision making. Attained education level played an important role in observed gender differences. Different strategies are needed to fully engage both women and men in wildlife-related decision making processes.

Suburban residents’ criteria for evaluating contraception and other deer management techniques

Abstract Contraception has been advocated increasingly by residents of urban and suburban areas as an appropriate technique for managing local deer herds. Although knowledge about the technical aspects of contraception is increasing among professionals, little study of citizens’ attitudes toward and beliefs about contraception has occurred to date. We explored residents’ attitudes toward contraception in Irondequoit, New York. We identified the criteria residents used to evaluate deer management techniques and how they applied these criteria in evaluating the suitability of contraception. Criteria used to evaluate the suitability of deer management techniques varied among citizens preferring different types of management techniques. Knowledge about contraception was low among citizens, even those who supported it as a management alternative. Further citizen education about contraception and other management techniques is needed in suburban areas with ongoing deer management efforts. Information needs may vary among citizens, however, based on which criteria citizens use to evaluate deer management options. Information about technical feasibility (e.g. effectiveness, speed, etc.) may have little influence on the attitudes of citizens most concerned with issues such as humaneness or effects on nontarget animals.