Developing Your Skills to INVOLVE COMMUNITIES in Implementing Locally Led Conservation.

Summary

The locally led training materials help you to involve local communities in conservation. These materials, summarized in the sections that follow, include: 1) a web site for evaluating your locally led conservation project, 2) a compact disc containing a slightly modified version of this locally led evaluation form, 3) a video that introduces the locally led process, and 4) nine training modules that can be delivered in workshops.

Evaluate Your Locally Led Project

What makes locally led conservation projects successful? Locally led conservation requires involving people and organizations in the community's planning process and working to successfully execute a long-range plan.

This web site employs a self-scoring evaluation form that asks respondents about elements of the local planning process. These elements include involving stakeholders, defining community issues, developing social and economic community profiles, using consensus-building techniques, managing conflict, understanding the nature of community and considering diversity. These same elements are addressed in the training modules covered below. The web version of this evaluation form is version 1.0.

Go To Evaluation Web site,

We also have a slightly modified version of this locally led evaluation form on a Compact Disc (CD), which is version 1.1. You can request a copy of the CD by clicking the following link:

Request CD

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Video Overview of the Locally Led Conservation Planning Process

This video outlines the locally led conservation planning process in relation to the roles that the conservation partnership plays. This 20 minute video will highlight previously successful efforts at training for locally led conservation planning.

The video also indicates where the sociologically oriented modules fit into the overview of the locally led process. The media production contains interviews with national and state officials and staff of the National Association of Conservation Districts and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Planning examples in urban and rural settings and the art of community involvement are also part of the video.

The video provides the "big picture" while the modules teach the details of how to: profile communities, identify and prioritize issues, share community power, develop networks, work in multicultural environments, facilitate groups, and manage conflict.

Request Video Overview

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Workshop Training Modules

Locally led training workshops can be arranged through the Social Sciences Team (use the "Request workshop" link in the table at the top). These workshops cover nine locally led conservation-training modules:

Training Module-T02A The Nature of Community : How to build interest in conservation by defining and understanding the nature of community. Tools are provided for determining the potential and actual impacts of environmental policies and progress. Workshop length: 4 hrs. 15 min.

Training Module-T02B Community Issues Identification : Participants learn to identify communities of interest, their constituents, and constituent issues in order to more successfully involve communities in conservation planning. Workshop length: 4 hrs.

Training Module-T02C Community Profiling : This module helps you use demographics to profile your communities, document community needs, and support funding requests. "Paint a picture" of where the communities have been, where they are now, and where they are headed. Workshop length: 3 hrs. 20 min.

Training Module-T02D Addressing Community Issues : Learn to develop strategies for tackling community issues. Explore new ways of working effectively with community groups. Workshop length: 1 hr. 55 min.

Training Module-T02E Power in Communities : Enhance your understanding of forms of power and participation. Learn to identify and access community power structures. Workshop length: 2 hrs.

Training Module-T02F Preparing to Work with Underserved Audiences : Participants will learn strategies to create a multicultural environment where differences are recognized, understood, and appreciated, ensuring the participation of all groups as a requisite for successful locally led conservation initiatives. Workshop length: 6 hrs. 20 min.

Training Module-T02G Networks & Collaborations : Focus on understanding community collaborations, looking for partners, and developing teams. Workshop length: 2 hrs. 40 min.

Training Module-T02H Effective Community Facilitation : Learn facilitation skills that help build a sense of community and solve problems. Workshop length: 2 hrs.

Training Module-T02I Conflict Management : Learn to identify positive and negative aspects of conflict. The goal of the module is to help you to help others achieve consensus. Workshop length: 1 hr. 50 min.

Workshops can be shortened or lengthened to meet customer needs and to allow for extensive interaction.

Request Locally Led Workshop