Collaboration in Nature Conservation

Lecture - Introduction to Environmental Science

and Resource Management

Harald Schaller

Table of Content

• Introduction

• The Importance of Collaboration

• What is Done With Respect to Collaboration in

Conservation

• Critics on Collaboration

• Discussion

Introduction to Collaboration

• Definition:◦ Collaboration is a recursive process where two or more people

or organizations work together in an intersection of common goals — for example, an intellectual endeavor[1] that is creative in nature[2] — by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus.

• Dimensions of collaboration:◦ Information

◦ Communication

◦ Trust / Willingness to share

◦ Consensus

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

Introduction to Collaboration

“The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” Aristotle

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

• Collaboration is necessary to understand the big picture

• Acknowledgment and Integration in International Agreements◦ Brundlandt Report: “(…) sustainable development aims to promote

harmony among human beings and between humanity and nature.” (WCED 1987)

◦ Agenda 21: “Humanity stands at a defining moment in history” (UN 1992)

Cooperation among nations is necessary to solve future questions, Exchange of experience is important

• Collaboration = Participation = Empowerment ? (Arnstein 1969)

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

The Importance of Collaboration

• Collaboration = Acknowledgment◦ Local knowledge (Abt 1989)

◦ Traditional knowledge (Abt 1989)

◦ Non-monetary valuation

◦ Importance of directly affected participants (Martins 2007)

• Collaboration = Empowerment◦ Exchange of opinions and visions

◦ Share of decision-making power (Martins 2007)

◦ Basis democracy (Arnstein 1969)

• No conflict = no need for collaboration! (Martins 2007)

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

The Importance of Collaboration

• Inter-linkage of different problems◦ No single-discipline problem or linkage of ecologic, economic

and social aspects in environmental problems (Munasinghe 2001)

◦ No ‘silver bullet’ solution possible

• Stakeholders play a vital part in collaboration (Mitchell 1997)

• Collaboration marks a new paradigm for protected area

(PA) management (Phillips 2003)

• Collaboration creates better solutions for PA

management (Daniels 1997)

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

Collaboration in Conservation

Iceland

• Influence of Culture (Eyjolfsdóttir 1997)

• ‘Streitkultur’ – ‘Atmosphere of debate’ in Iceland

• Collaboration and Participation in Iceland◦ Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

◦ Participation concerning PA management

◦ ‘Scenophobia’ (Benediktsson 2007)

• Integration of locals – ‘new’ in Iceland?

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

Collaboration in Conservation

• Vatnajökull National Park (VNP)

Board of Vatnajökull NP

4 Representatives (Chairmen of councils)Area Council

3 Representatives of the municipality

3 Representatives of the NGOs

Chairmen and Vice chairmen

Ministry for the Environment

Environmental NGO

Outdoor-leisure NGO

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

Collaboration in Conservation

• Acknowledgment of local and traditional knowledge?

• Access of First Nation or aboriginal knowledge (Schnarch

2004)

◦ Research

◦ Ownership of data

◦ Monetary profit

◦ Acceptance of culture and rules

• Participation as part of collaboration or manipulation? (Arnstein 1969)

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

Critics on Collaboration

Critics on Collaboration

Collaboration or Environmental Imperialism (Chapin 2004)

◦ Development of environmental movement

◦ Growth of environmental awareness and projects

◦ Increase of donations for conservation groups

◦ Design of programs to work wit communities by conservation groups 1980’s and 1990’s

◦ Partnership to promote ‘western’ knowledge and techniques

◦ Protectionism of environment as highest goal

◦ Merger of environmental groups – Size matters!

◦ Environmental groups – partners for ‘green interests’ of corporate “partners” or “collaborators”

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

Summary

1. Big picture: fragmentation, examination, and integration

2. Importance: bridge gaps and create new approaches3. Empowerment and promotion of democratic

engagement4. Problem of bias and extend of collaboration5. Mean to distribute or influence ideas6. Diversity vs. uniformity

7. Collaboration as the cause or a solution for conflicts?

Intro and Importance● ● ● ●Action ● ● ●Criticism● ●Summary●

Discussion!

• Questions?

• Readings:◦ Phillips, A., 2003, Turning Ideas on Their Head - The New

Paradigm for Protected Areas, The George Wright Forum

◦ Chapin, M., 2004, A Challenge to Conservationists, World Watch magazine 17, (Worldwatch Institute, Washington)