Across the Great Divide : explorations in collaborative conservation and the American West

Amid the policy gridlock that characterises most environmental debates, a new conservation movement has emerged. Known as collaborative conservation, it emphasises local participation, sustainability, and inclusion of the disempowered, and focuses on voluntary compliance and consent rather than legal and regulatory enforcement. Encompassing a wide range of local partnerships and initiatives, it is changing the face of resource management throughout the western United States. Across the Great Divide presents a thoughtful exploration of this new movement, bringing together writing, reporting, and analysis of collaborative conservation from those directly involved in developing and implementing the approach. Contributors examine: - the failure of traditional policy approaches - recent economic and demographic changes that serve as a backdrop for the emergence of the movement - the merits of, and drawbacks to, coliaborative decision-making - the challenges involved with integrating diverse voices and bringing all sectors of society into the movement In addition, the book offers in-depth stories of eight noteworthy collaborative initiatives-including the Quincy Library Group, Montana'… (more)