Building Trust in Natural Resource Management Within Local Communities: A Case Study of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie |
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Authors: | Mae A Davenport Jessica E Leahy Dorothy H Anderson Pamela J Jakes |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Forestry, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Mailcode 4411, 1205 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;(2) Department of Forest Management, University of Maine, 219 Nutting Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA;(3) Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, 115 Green Hall, 1530 Cleveland Avenue, North St. Paul, MN 55108, USA;(4) North Central Research Station, USDA, Forest Service, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA |
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Abstract: | Communities neighboring federally protected natural areas regularly weigh the costs and benefits of the administering agency’s
programs and policies. While most agencies integrate public opinion into decision making, efforts to standardize and formalize
public involvement have left many local communities feeling marginalized, spurring acrimony and opposition. A significant
body of research has examined barriers to effective public participation as well as strategies for relationship building in
planning processes; many of which point to trust as a key factor. Trust is especially tenuous in local communities. This paper
explores perceptions of trust, expectations for management, as well as constraints to building trust. In-depth interviews
were conducted with 21 community members and USDA Forest Service personnel at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in northeastern
Illinois. The interviews revealed that trust is perceived as important to effective management. Distinct expectations for
management outcomes and processes emerged, including the values, knowledge, and capacity demonstrated in management decisions
and actions and opportunities provided for communication, collaboration, and cooperation within the agency-community relationship.
The case study identified several constraints to building trust, including competing values, knowledge gaps, limited community
engagement, and staff turnover. |
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Keywords: | Trust Natural resource management Public involvement Collaboration |
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