best practices for state wildlife action plans, katy reeder

BEST PRACTICES FOR

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Best Practices for State Wildlife Action Plans

Required Element #8

Public Participation

Each State’s provisions to provide the necessary public

participation in the development, revision, and implementation of

its Strategy.

Best Practice (1 of 8)

Define objectives for public involvement processes Let objectives drive the technique used

Inform?Inform

and

Gather

Feedback

?

Best Practice (2 of 8)

Follow your state’s public notification and comment period processes.

SOUNDS OBVIOUS, DULL, HOWEVER….

Is the goal to institutionalize the Wildlife Action Plan? If yes, then integrate Plan

processes into normal business.

Best Practice (3 of 8)

“Go Chicago-Style” with notification

Do it EARLY and OFTEN! Notify the public of the intent to revise SWAP

early in the process and allow ample time to review and comment on the draft plan before it is submitted.

Best Practice (4 of 8)

Develop a public input process that Identifies key constituent groups Identifies involvement goals appropriate to each

audience Defines involvement strategies to effectively get

information to, and gather feedback from affected groups

Deliberately reach out to stakeholders

Best Practice (5 of 8)

Document public input processes used within the Wildlife Action Plan

Sounds like a yawn Brings sunlight to the process, saving you future headaches

BUT…

Best Practice (6 of 8)

File and archive all comments received as well as actions taken with regard to each comment.

OK, this will be a yawn.Sometimes important steps are just not sexy

at all.

Best Practice (7 of 8)

Scale the level of public input process to the type of revision (comprehensive, major, minor)

Example minor: Updating the scientific names to reflect current taxonomic understanding.

Example major: Changing criteria for determining SGCN list

Comprehensive: Full review and revision

Best Practice (8 of 8)

Link the plan to established community values and use direct, honest language

Resources

Institute for Participatory Management and Planning (the Bleikers)

http://www.ipmp.com/

International Association for Public Participation

http://www.iap2.org/index.cfm

Embrace the Opportunity

PUBLIC SUPPORTS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION