The State of Human Dimensions Capacity for Natural Resource Management: Needs, Knowledge, and Resources.
Sexton NR, Leong KM, Milley BJ, Clarke MM, Teel TL, Chase MA, Dietsch AM. 2013. The State of Human Dimensions Capacity for Natural Resource Management: Needs, Knowledge, and Resources.. The George Wright Forum. 30(2):142-153
The social sciences have become increasingly important in understanding natural resource management contexts and audiences, and are essential in the design and delivery of effective and durable management strategies. Yet many agencies and organizations do not have the necessary resources and staff to effectively address the human dimensions (HD) of natural resource management. We draw on the textbook definition of HD: how and why people value natural resources, what benefits people seek and derive from those resources, and how people affect and are affected by those resources and their management (Decker, Brown, and Siemer 2001). Clearly articulating how HD information can be used and integrated into natural resource management planning and decision-making is an important challenge faced by the HD field. To address this challenge, we formed a collaborative team to explore the issue of HD capacity-building for natural resource organizations and to advance the HD field. We define HD capacity as activities, efforts, and resources that enhance the ability of HD researchers and practitioners and natural resource managers and decision-makers to understand and address the social aspects of conservation. Specifically, we sought to examine current barriers to integration of HD into natural resource management, knowledge needed to improve HD capacity, and existing HD tools, resources, and training opportunities. We conducted a needs assessment of HD experts and practitioners, developed a framework for considering HD activities that can contribute both directly and indirectly throughout any phase of an adaptive management cycle, and held a workshop to review preliminary findings and gather additional input through breakout group discussions. This paper provides highlights from our collaborative initiative to help frame and inform future HD capacity-building efforts of natural resource organizations and also provides a list of existing human dimensions tools and resources.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Sexton, Natalie; Leong, Kirsten; Milley, Brad; Clarke, Melinda; Teel, Tara; Chase, Mark; Dietsch, Alia
- Units
- BRD , NRSS
- Keywords
- capacity, capacity-building, human dimensions, Social Science