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Participatory (collaborative, multi-party, citizen, volunteer)
monitoring is a process that has been increasing in popularity and use
in both developing and industrialized societies during the last
several decades. It reflects the understanding that natural resource
decisions are more effective and less controversial when stakeholders
who have an interest in the results are involved in the process. An
adequate number of such projects have now been organized, tried, and
evaluated that sufficient information exists to recommend a
comprehensive approach to implementing such projects. This set of
guidelines is written for managers and scientists in the United States
who are contemplating a participatory approach to monitoring
biological resources, especially biodiversity. It is designed as a
how-to manual with discussions of relevant topics, checklists of
important considerations to address, resources for further
information, and worksheets for developing, implementing, and
evaluating a monitoring plan. The subject matter is divided into 3
stages of a monitoring project encompassing a total of 22 topical
modules. These modules can be used in any sequence in an on-going
basis. Stages and modules include: PLANNING - Documentation, Goals,
Indicators, Collaboration, Decisions, Context, Organization,
Participants, Communication, Incentives, Design, and Resources;
IMPLEMENTATION - Training, Safety, Fieldwork, Sampling, Data, and
Quality; and FOLLOW-THROUGH - Analysis, Reporting, Evaluation, and
Celebrations. Collaboration always involves co-learning, so
documenting choices, plans, and activities in the appended workbook
section is integral to the manual’s effectiveness.
Keywords: participatory inventory, monitoring, and research;
biodiversity; collaborative monitoring; multiparty monitoring;
monitoring plan; forest managers and scientists.
©2005
Institute for
Culture and Ecology
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