Engaging with stakeholders
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Engaging communities, governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders in conservation. These resources highlight tools, principles, and case studies that show how inclusive, trust-based, and participatory approaches can strengthen conservation and support
human-wildlife coexistence.
Guidance Documents
Using ethnographic research for social engagement: a toolkit for orangutan (and other) conservationists (2022). (Chua, L., V. Schreer, and P. H. Thung) Download
Stakeholder engagement for wildlife conservation v1 (2022). (WildTeam. 2022) Download
Wildlife attractant bylaw toolkit (2022). (Get Bear Smart Society) Download
Community, conservation and collaboration: a framework for success (2019). (Lichtenfeld, L.L., Naro, E.M. and Snowden, E.) External resource
The partners principles for community-based conservation (2016). (Mishra, C.) Download
Free, prior and informed consent: an indigenous peoples' right and a good practice for local communities (2016). (FAO) External resource
The BiodivERsA stakeholder engagement handbook (2014). (Durham, E., H. Baker, M. Smith, E. Moore, and V. Morgan) Download
Tools of engagement: a toolkit for engaging people in conservation (2011). (National Audubon Society) Download
Core principles for public engagement (2009). (Atlee, T., S. Buckley, J. Godec, R.-A. Harris, S. Heierbacher, L. Nurse, S. Pyser, and S. R. McCallum.) Download
Key Papers
Agrawal, A., and C. C. Gibson. 1999. Enchantment and disenchantment: the role of community in natural resource conservation. World Development 27:629-649. Download
Arbieu, U., G. Chapron, C. Astaras, N. Bunnefeld, S. Harkins, Y. Iliopoulos, M. Mehring, I. Reinhardt, and T. Mueller. 2021. News selection and framing: the media as a stakeholder in human-carnivore coexistence. Environmental Research Letters. Download
Arnstein, S. R. 1969. A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners 35:216-224. External resource
Auster, R. E., S. W. Barr, and R. E. Brazier. 2021. Renewed coexistence: learning from steering group stakeholders on a beaver reintroduction project in England. European Journal of Wildlife Research 68:1. Download
Auster, R. E., S. W. Barr, and R. E. Brazier. 2020. Improving engagement in managing reintroduction conflicts: learning from beaver reintroduction. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management:1-22. Download
Banerjee, S., and A. Aiyadurai. 2021. ‘Everyday conservation’: a study of actors and processes in an elephant conservation project in Assam, India. Human Dimensions of Wildlife:1-18. External resource
Barmoen, M., K. M. Bærum, M. Johansson, and K. E. Mathiesen. 2021. Trust in large carnivore science in Norway. European Journal of Wildlife Research 67:98. Download
Bennett, J., A. Sjölander-Lindqvist, C. Sandström, and S. Larsson. 2022. Addressing the Swedish large carnivore controversy: identifying roadblocks in collaborative governance to reduce conflict. Frontiers in Conservation Science 3. Download
Bijoor, A., M. Khanyari, R. Dorjay, S. Lobzang, and K. Suryawanshi. 2021. A need for context-based conservation: incorporating local knowledge to mitigate livestock predation by large carnivores. Frontiers in Conservation Science 2. Download
Borges, A.B.T. & Silva E.H. 2002. Biology of a lowland tapir population and it's potential as a community involvement agent in the Serra do Tabuleiro Stae Parl, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group Vol. 11/No. 2. Download
Boudreau, M. R., M. G. Gantchoff, C. Ramirez-Reyes, L. Conlee, J. L. Belant, and R. B. Iglay. 2021. Using habitat suitability and landscape connectivity in the spatial prioritization of public outreach and management during carnivore recolonization. Journal of Applied Ecology. External resource
Cinque, S., A. Sjölander-Lindqvist, and C. Sandström. 2021. Frontline bureaucrats in wildlife management: caught in the dilemma between effectiveness and responsiveness. Environmental Policy and Governance. Download
Corvera, M.D., Manalo, R.I. and Aquino, M.T.R. 2017. People and crocodiles sharing one environment: An analysis of local human-crocodile conflict management strategies in the Philippines. Journal of Animal Science and Research 1(1). External resources
Cummings, A. R. 2021. An exploratory analysis of stakeholders and their influence on human–jaguar conflict in Guyana. Human Dimensions of Wildlife:1-9. External resource
Cureg, M., A. Bagunu, M. Weerd, M. Balbas, D. Soler, and J. Ploeg. 2016. A longitudinal evaluation of the communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) campaign for the Philippine crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis in northern Luzon, Philippines. International Zoo Yearbook 50:68-83. External resource
Dheer, A., E. Davidian, M. H. Jacobs, J. Ndorosa, T. M. Straka, and O. P. Höner. 2021. Emotions and cultural importance predict the acceptance of large carnivore management strategies by Maasai pastoralists. Frontiers in Conservation Science 2. Download
Dietsch, A. M., D. M. Wald, M. J. Stern, and B. Tully. 2021. An understanding of trust, identity, and power can enhance equitable and resilient conservation partnerships and processes. Conservation Science and Practice 3:e421. Download
Doney, E. D., B. Frank, Z. Khan, T. Windle, A. T. Ford, C. Olive, J. K. Scherger, B. Williams, D. Hetu, D. Peters, Wišqii, Y. Zharikov, B. Hansen, S. Forbes, S. Coulson, and D. A. Clark. 2023. Wild about wolves: using collaboration and innovation to bridge parks, people, and predators. Conservation Science and Practice 5:e12949. Download
Eriksson, L., M. Johansson, J. Månsson, S. M. Redpath, C. Sandström, and J. Elmberg. 2021. Individuals and multilevel management: a study of the perceived adaptive capacity of the goose management system among farmers in Sweden. Society & Natural Resources:1-19. Download
Evely, A. C., M. Pinard, M. S. Reed, and I. Fazey. 2011. High levels of participation in conservation projects enhance learning. Conservation Letters 4:116-126. Download
Fazey, I., L. Bunse, J. Msika, M. Pinke, K. Preedy, A. C. Evely, E. Lambert, E. Hastings, S. Morris, and M. S. Reed. 2014. Evaluating knowledge exchange in interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder research. Global Environmental Change 25:204-220. External resource
Geeraerts, C., A. Rutten, E. Cartuyvels, P. Verschelde, S. Devisscher, F. Turkelboom, P. Quataert, and J. Casaer. 2021. Wild boar in Flanders, Belgium:(dis) agreements between key stakeholders on wild boar management objectives, actions, and legal provisions. Human–Wildlife Interactions 15:15. External resource
Guibrunet, L., P. R. W. Gerritsen, J. A. Sierra-Huelsz, A. C. Flores-Díaz, E. García-Frapolli, E. García-Serrano, U. Pascual, and P. Balvanera. 2021. Beyond participation: how to achieve the recognition of local communities’ value-systems in conservation? Some insights from Mexico. People and Nature 3. Download
Hansen, H. P., C. S. Dethlefsen, G. F. Fox, and A. S. Jeppesen. 2022. Mediating human-wolves conflicts through dialogue, joint fact-finding and empowerment. Frontiers in Environmental Science 10. Download
Hatch, M. B. A., J. K. Parrish, S. S. Heppell, S. Augustine, L. Campbell, L. M. Divine, J. Donatuto, A. S. Groesbeck, and N. F. Smith. 2023. Boundary spanners: a critical role for enduring collaborations between Indigenous communities and mainstream scientists. Ecology and Society 28. Download
Hodgson, I. D., A. Fischer, S. M. Redpath, and J. C. Young. 2022. Fight or flight? Understanding different stakeholder responses to conservation conflicts. Society & Natural Resources:1-18. Download
Hughes, C., S. Elmeligi, and A. Morehouse. 2022. Conservation through connection: approaches to engaging communities in applied grizzly bear research. Frontiers in Conservation Science 3. Download
Hurlbert, M., and J. Gupta. 2015. The split ladder of participation: a diagnostic, strategic, and evaluation tool to assess when participation is necessary. Environmental Science & Policy 50:100-113. External resource
Hyde, M., S. W. Breck, A. Few, B. J., J. Schrecengost, J. Stone, C. Krebs, R. Talmo, K. Eneas, R. Nickerson, K. E. Kunkel, and J. K. Young. 2022. Multidisciplinary engagement for fencing research informs efficacy and rancher-to-researcher knowledge exchange. Frontiers in Conservation Science 3. Download
Ibbett, H., J. P. G. Jones, L. Dorward, E. M. Kohi, A. A. Dwiyahreni, K. Prayitno, S. Sankeni, J. Kaduma, J. Mchomvu, A. Wijaya Saputra, H. Sabiladiyni, J. Supriatna, and F. A. V. St John. 2023. A mixed methods approach for measuring topic sensitivity in conservation. People and Nature. Download
Jiren, T. S., M. Riechers, R. Kansky, and J. Fischer. 2021. Participatory scenario planning to facilitate human-wildlife coexistence. Conservation Biology. Download
Kansky, R., and T. Maassarani. 2021. Teaching nonviolent communication to increase empathy between people and toward wildlife to promote human–wildlife coexistence. Conservation Letters n/a:e12862. Download
King, R., and R. Elsey. 2014. Louisiana’s nuisance alligator program. Pages 163-181 in Proceedings of the 23rd Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group. IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge UK. Download
König, H. J., S. Ceaușu, M. Reed, H. Kendall, K. Hemminger, H. Reinke, E.-F. Ostermann-Miyashita, E. Wenz, L. Eufemia, T. Hermanns, M. Klose, M. Spyra, T. Kuemmerle, and A. T. Ford. 2021. Integrated framework for stakeholder participation: methods and tools for identifying and addressing human–wildlife conflicts. Conservation Science and Practice 3:e399. Download
Kuswanda, W., Hutapea, F.J., Setyawati, T. & Purwoko, A. 2024. Local community characteristics and potential conflicts around Asian tapir habitat in Batang Gadis National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Oryx; 58(4):448-450. External resources
Lambertucci, S. A., A. Margalida, K. L. Speziale, A. Amar, F. Ballejo, K. L. Bildstein, G. Blanco, A. J. Botha, C. G. R. Bowden, A. Cortés-Avizanda, O. Duriez, R. E. Green, F. Hiraldo, D. Ogada, P. Plaza, J. A. Sánchez-Zapata, A. Santangeli, N. Selva, O. Spiegel, and J. A. Donázar. 2021. Presumed killers? Vultures, stakeholders, misperceptions, and fake news. Conservation Science and Practice 3:e415. Download
Lin, H., P. Żebrowski, B. D. Fath, H. Liljenström, and E. Rovenskaya. 2021. Modelling stakeholder satisfaction for conflict resolution in wildlife management: a case of wolf population in Sweden. European Journal of Wildlife Research 67:61. Download
Lucas, C., J. Abell, S. Bremner-Harrison, and K. Whitehouse-Tedd. 2022. Stakeholder perceptions of success in human-carnivore coexistence interventions. Frontiers in Conservation Science 3. Download
Marino, F., S. L. Crowley, N. A. Williams Foley, R. A. McDonald, and D. J. Hodgson. 2023. Stakeholder discourse coalitions and polarisation in the hen harrier conservation debate in news media. People and Nature. Download
Marino, A., P. Ciucci, S. M. Redpath, S. Ricci, J. Young, and V. Salvatori. 2021. Broadening the toolset for stakeholder engagement to explore consensus over wolf management. Journal of Environmental Management 296:113125. External resource
Martin, J. V., K. Epstein, R. M. Anderson, and S. Charnley. 2021. Coexistence praxis: the role of resource managers in wolf-livestock interactions on federal lands. Frontiers in Conservation Science 2. Download
Mathiesen, K. E., M. Barmoen, K. M. Bærum, and M. Johansson. 2021. Trust in researchers and researchers' statements in large carnivore conservation. People and Nature. Download
Milich, K. M., K. Sorbello, L. Kolinski, R. Busobozi, and M. Kugonza. 2020. Case study of participatory action research for wildlife conservation. Conservation Science and Practice n/a:e347. Download
Mishra, C., J. C. Young, M. Fiechter, B. Rutherford, and S. M. Redpath. 2017. Building partnerships with communities for biodiversity conservation: lessons from Asian mountains. Journal of Applied Ecology 54:1583-1591. Download
Pettersson, H. L., C. H. Quinn, G. Holmes, S. M. Sait, and J. V. López-Bao. 2021. Welcoming wolves? Governing the return of large carnivores in traditional pastoral landscapes. Frontiers in Conservation Science 2. Download
Reed, M. S. 2008. Stakeholder participation for environmental management: a literature review. Biological Conservation 141:2417-2431. External resource
Reed, M. S., L. C. Stringer, I. Fazey, A. C. Evely, and J. H. J. Kruijsen. 2014. Five principles for the practice of knowledge exchange in environmental management. Journal of Environmental Management 146:337-345. Download
Reed, M. S., S. Vella, E. Challies, J. de Vente, L. Frewer, D. Hohenwallner-Ries, T. Huber, R. K. Neumann, E. A. Oughton, J. Sidoli del Ceno, and H. van Delden. 2018. A theory of participation: what makes stakeholder and public engagement in environmental management work? Restoration Ecology 26:S7-S17. External resource
Robinson, D., S. P. Newman, M. J. Whittingham, R. M. Francksen, M. S. Adam, and S. M. Stead. 2022. Fisher–shark interactions: a loss of support for the Maldives shark sanctuary from reef fishers whose livelihoods are affected by shark depredation. Conservation Letters n/a:e12912. Download
Ruppert, K. A., L. Lenguya, A. Letoluai, I. Limo, M. A. Owen, N. W. Pilfold, P. Wachira, and J. A. Glikman. 2021. Avoiding parachute science when addressing conflict over wildlife. Conservation Science and Practice n/a:e548. Download
Salvatori, V., E. Balian, J. C. Blanco, X. Carbonell, P. Ciucci, L. Demeter, A. Marino, A. Panzavolta, A. Sólyom, Y. von Korff, and J. C. Young. 2021. Are large carnivores the real issue? Solutions for improving conflict management through stakeholder participation. Sustainability 13:4482. Download
Sandroni, L. T., K. M. P. M. de Barros Ferraz, S. Marchini, A. Percequillo, R. Coates, R. M. Paolino, Y. Barros, M. Landis, Y. G. G. Ribeiro, and L. P. Munhoes. 2022. Stakeholder mapping as a transdisciplinary exercise for jaguar conservation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Conservation Science and Practice n/a:e12651. Download
Schroeder, S. A., A. C. Landon, D. C. Fulton, and L. E. McInenly. 2022. On the multiple identities of stakeholders in wolf management in Minnesota, United States. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 10. Download
Schroeder, S. A., A. C. Landon, D. C. Fulton, and L. E. McInenly. 2021. Social identity, values, and trust in government: How stakeholder group, ideology, and wildlife value orientations relate to trust in a state agency for wildlife management. Biological Conservation 261:109285. External resource
Skupien, G.M., Andrews, K.M. and Larson, L.R. 2016. Teaching tolerance? Effects of conservation education programs on wildlife acceptance capacity for the American alligator. Human Dimensions of Wildlife: An International Journal 21(3): 264-279. External resources
Soliku, O., and U. Schraml. 2020. From conflict to collaboration: the contribution of co-management in mitigating conflicts in Mole National Park, Ghana. Oryx 54:483-493. Download
Sonam, K., R. Dorjay, M. Khanyari, A. Bijoor, S. Lobzang, M. Sharma, S. Suresh, C. Mishra, and K. R. Suryawanshi. 2022. A community-based conservation initiative for wolves in the Ladakh Trans-Himalaya, India. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 10. Download
Staddon, S., A. Byg, M. Chapman, R. Fish, A. Hague, and K. Horgan. 2021. The value of listening and listening for values in conservation. People and Nature. Download
Swapan, M. S. H. 2016. Who participates and who doesn't? Adapting community participation model for developing countries. Cities 53:70-77. External resource
Treves, A., R. B. Wallace, L. Naughton-Treves, and A. Morales. 2006. Co-managing human–wildlife conflicts: a review. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 11:383-396. External resource
Toncheva, S., R. Fletcher, and E. Turnhout. 2021. Convivial conservation from the bottom-up: human-bear cohabitation in the Rodopi mountains of Bulgaria. Conservation & Society. Download
van de Water, A., S. Doornwaard, L. Sluiter, M. Henley, C. Sutherland, and R. Slotow. 2023. Resolving conservation conflicts through shared vision, collective benefits and relevant values. Diversity 15:1041. Download
Vucetich, J. A., J. T. Bruskotter, and D. W. Macdonald. 2021. Can deliberative democracy favor a flourishing relationship between humans and carnivores? Frontiers in Conservation Science 2. Download
Williams, B. A., B. A. Simmons, M. Ward, J. Beher, A. J. Dean, T. Nou, T. M. Kenyon, M. Davey, C. B. Melton, P. J. Stewart-Sinclair, N. L. Hammond, E. Massingham, and C. J. Klein. 2021. The potential for applying “Nonviolent Communication” in conservation science. Conservation Science and Practice n/a:e540. Download
Young, J. C., J. R. Young, and B. A. Aubert. 2022. Insights from diplomacy for the prevention and resolution of conservation conflicts. Conservation Letters:e12891. Download
Young, J. C., J. S. Alexander, A. Bijoor, D. Sharma, A. Dutta, B. Agvaantseren, T. N. Mijiddorj, K. Jumabay, V. Amankul, B. Kabaeva, A. Nawaz, S. Khan, H. Ali, J. S. Rullman, K. Sharma, R. Murali, and C. Mishra. 2021. Community-based conservation for the sustainable management of conservation conflicts: learning from practitioners. Sustainability 13:7557. Download
Zimmermann, A., T. E. Davies, N. Hazarika, S. Wilson, J. Chakrabarty, B. Hazarika, and D. Das. 2009. Community-based human-elephant conflict management in Assam. Gajah 30:34-40. Download
Books and book chapters
Beierle, T. C., and J. Cayford. 2002. Democracy in practice: public participation in environmental decisions. Resources for the future, Washington. External resource
Creighton, J. L. 2005. The public participation handbook: making better decisions through citizen involvement. Wiley. External resource
Dovers, S., S. Feary, A. Martin, L. McMillan, D. Morgan, and M. Tollefson. 2015. Engagement and participation in protected area management: who, why, how and when. Pages 169-206 in G. L. Worboys, M. Lockwood, A. Kothari, S. Feary, and I. Pulsford, editors. Protected area governance and management ANU Press, Canberra. Download
Hodgson, I. D., J. Cusack, I. Jones, J. Minderman, L. Nilsson, R. A. Pozo, O. S. Rakotonarivo, and N. Bunnefeld. 2021. Building peace to save nature: multi-disciplinary approaches to managing conflicts in conservation. Pages 3-22 in S. C. Underkoffler and H. R. Adams, editors. Wildlife biodiversity conservation: multidisciplinary and forensic approaches. Springer International Publishing, Cham. External resource
Naro, E. M., and L. L. Lichtenfeld. 2021. Transcending the boundaries of conservation and community development to achieve long-term sustainability for people and planet. Pages 23-45 in S. C. Underkoffler and H. R. Adams, editors. Wildlife biodiversity conservation: multidisciplinary and forensic approaches. Springer International Publishing, Cham. External resource
