Adaptive Governance: Integrating Science, Policy, and Decision Making - Softcover

Brunner, Ronald; Steelman, Toddi; Coe-Juell, Lindy; Cromley, Christina; Edwards, Christine; Tucker, Donna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0231136250 ISBN 13: 9780231136259

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 2005

Synopsis

Drawing on five detailed case studies from the American West, the authors explore and clarify how to expedite a transition toward adaptive governance and break the gridlock in natural resource policymaking. Unlike scientific management, which relies on science as the foundation for policies made through a central bureaucratic authority, adaptive governance integrates various types of knowledge and organizations. Adaptive governance relies on open decision-making processes recognizing multiple interests, community-based initiatives, and an integrative science in addition to traditional science.

Case studies discussed include a program to protect endangered fish in the Colorado River with the active participation of water developers and environmentalists; a district ranger's innovative plan to manage national forestland in northern New Mexico; and how community-based forestry groups are affecting legislative change in Washington, D.C.

About this title

Book Description:

Drawing case studies, the authors of this work examine how adaptive governance breaks the gridlock in natural-resource policy. Unlike scientific management, which relies on science as the foundation for policies made through a central authority, adaptive governance integrates other types of knowledge into the decision-making process. The authors emphasize the need for open decision making, recognition of multiple interests in questions of natural-resource policy, and an integrative, interpretive science to replace traditional reductive, experimental science.

About the Author:

Ronald D. Brunner is a policy scientist and professor at the University of Colorado; Toddi A. Steelman is associate professor of environmental and natural resource policy at North Carolina State University; Lindy Coe-Juell is a policy analyst with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Los Angeles; Christina M. Cromley is a policy analyst with the GAO in Washington, D. C.; Christine M. Edwards is the alumni coordinator for the School for Field Studies in Salem, Massachusetts; Donna W. Tucker is a doctoral student in environmental studies at the University of Colorado.

About this edition

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0231136250
• ISBN 13: 9780231136259
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368