Supporting collaborative approaches (groups and teams)

Increasingly the role of groups and teams as a catalyst for change in environmental management is becoming well accepted. Groups may be formally constituted and ongoing(e.g. a landcare group, or agency team for resource use efficiency), or they may come together to undertake a one-off task. Such groups are formed for a range of reasons, but in an environmental context they often focus on an immediate problem or issue such as developing best-practice guidelines or establishing a community monitoring scheme. However, to foster a more collective approach to environmental management that is capable of transformational change, we have to do more than just work together on specific projects. Transformational change requires individuals and groups to develop the capacity to move beyond the completion of task-bounded activities. They must catalyse change within their immediate membership first, and spread that culture to others in their communities over the longer term. The following reports and articles address some of these issues in relation to building and supporting this capacity.

Reports

Kilvington, M.; Horn C.; 2006: Mountains to the Sea: Reflections on an arts and science collaboration about the Motueka River Catchment. PDF file Published by the Manaaki Whenua/ Landcare Research Mountains to the Sea Project. 

Allen, W.; Kilvington, M. 2001: Building Effective Teams for Resource Use Efficiency. Landcare Research Contract Report: LC0001/60, Lincoln, New Zealand.

Allen, W.; Brown, K.; Gloag, T.; Morris, J.; Simpson, K.; Thomas, J.; Young, R. 1998: Building partnerships for conservation in the Waitaki/Mackenzie basins. Landcare Research Contract Report LC9899/033, Lincoln, New Zealand.

Kilvington, M.; Allen, W. 2001: A Participatory Evaluation Process to Strengthen the Effectiveness of Industry Teams in Achieving Resource Use Efficiency: The Target Zero Programme of Christchurch City Council. Landcare Research Contract Report: LC0001/62

Kilvington, M.; Allen, W.; Kravchenko, C. 1999:Improving Farmer Motivation Within Tb Vector Control. Landcare Research Contract Report: LC9899/110

Lyver, Phil; Hayes, Lynley & Horn, Chrys 2004. A process for enhancing dialogue on biosecurity issues. PDF file Landcare Research Contract Report LC0304/132, prepared for the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, Wellington, New Zealand.

Popular Articles

Allen, W. ; Apgar, M. 2007. An introduction to Communities of Practice Landcare Research webpage

Kilvington, Margaret; Horn, Chrys 2004: Partnerships in protection: moving beyond ‘willing volunteers’ in biodiversity management. Popular article in Te Taiao No. 4 pp12-13


Research areas

Communication and dialogue Evaluation and reflection Indigenous knowledge and values Knowledge management for integration Social aspects of ecosystem management Supporting collaborative approaches

Programmes & OBIs

Building capacity for sustainable development Integrated Catchment Management Low–impact urban design & development Te Tapoitanga Māori: Growing Regional Māori Tourism

Tools & Services

Collaborating with iwi Stakeholder analysis Team–building evaluation guide

Related areas

Community engagement with low–impact stormwater management Integrated Catchment Management Lifestyles & Consumption Perceptions of urban intensification Restoring wetland ecosystem functioning

Publications

Presentation Publication

Resources

Collaborative learning research publications

Media releases

Research builds bridge over troubled water

Past Events

Conference: IntSci - Integrated science for sustainability. e-conference Workshop: Sustainability Appraisal Conference: NZ Association of Resource Management conference, and Motueka ICM AGM.