Lessons in Conservation, Volume 07

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2246/7438

Volume VII of Lessons in Conservation features topics that reflect the dynamic, continually evolving, and interconnected nature of people and place. Across varying backdrops—from dam construction in rural India to conservation in New York City—each module examines the diverse range of stakeholders and perspectives involved in negotiating environmental issues.

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    Community Buzz: Conservation of Trees and Native Bees in Urban Areas
    (New York, NY : Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, 2017) Cornelisse, Tara; Weckel, Mark; Collins, Andrew; Macey, Suzanne
    The world is increasingly urbanized and yet, even in urban areas, humans remain dependent on the ecosystem services that nature provides. This case study-exercise explores selected aspects of the dynamic between humans and urban ecology in three parts. First, we briefly discuss urban ecosystems and the context of biodiversity conservation in urban areas. Then, through a case study of the Million Trees program in New York City, we provide evidence and start a discussion about the possible benefits—as well as potential negative social, ecological, and economic consequences—of urban trees. And finally, we introduce biodiversity conservation in urban green spaces through an exercise on native bees. After reading about the importance of, and threats to, native bees, students take on stakeholder roles to decide if their neighborhood should accept a grant to create and maintain bee habitat in an urban park. Students are tasked with conducting additional research and participating in a classroom town hall meeting to present and support their argument for or against the creation of native bee habitat.
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    Environmental and Climate Justice along the Brahmaputra River in Northeast India
    (New York, NY : Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, 2017) Rampini, Constanza
    The glaciers of the Himalayas are the source of all of Asia’s major rivers and are crucial to Asia’s water supply, economies, and livelihoods. The Himalayan region is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of anthropogenic climate change, while also becoming one of the most dammed regions in the world. This case study explores the unequal distribution of the impacts of climate change and dam building along the Brahmaputra River in Northeast India. It examines how the combined impacts of these two processes negatively affect local communities and explores environmental and climate justice issues. In discussing climate change impacts and hydropower development in Northeast India, this case study presents questions on the role of dams as a solution to climate change and as a form of sustainable development.
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    Practicing Stakeholder Analysis Using Current Environmental Issues
    (New York, NY : Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, 2017) Vogler, Donna
    After this exercise, students will be able to: 1. Identify a diversity of stakeholders relevant to a specific project and compare their varying viewpoints, degrees of influence, and interest for a particular project of conservation relevance; 2. Research an environmental project and select relevant evidence supporting an assigned stakeholder position; and 3. Explain the key factors of effective stakeholder engagement, why they are important, and analyze how these factors play out in the case of a specific conservation project.
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    Stakeholder Analysis in Environmental and Conservation Planning
    (New York, NY : Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, 2017) Vogler, Donna; Macey, Suzanne; Sigouin, Amanda
    Stakeholders are defined as the people and organizations who are involved in or affected by an action or policy and can be directly or indirectly included in the decision making process. In environmental and conservation planning, stakeholders typically include government representatives, businesses, scientists, landowners, and local users of natural resources. These groups of stakeholders o en have very different positions and values that may be difficult to reconcile with each other and the planned project. This synthesis provides a brief overview of why it is important to incorporate different stakeholders, including underrepresented groups and “hidden” stakeholders, in the planning process and discusses the potential benefits of inclusion. Before involving stakeholders, conducting a stakeholder analysis can help to identify relevant stakeholders and to assess their views and interests on a proposed project. The synthesis describes specific techniques for conducting a formal stakeholder analysis, such as the use of stakeholder tables and a stakeholder influence/interest grid. Finally, the synthesis also highlights some approaches and strategies that can help to facilitate a fair and productive participatory process.