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.

Edition details

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