Introduction To Natural Resource Planning

Description: This is an exciting time for natural resources planning. There are amazing technologies available to planners and a wide and growing array of resources, problems, and opportunities that need attention. Private and public interests are taking up these issues all over the world and at all levels of involvement. At the same time, inefficient planning policies and procedures can threaten the art of successful planning. Demonstrating how to put effective planning theory into practice, Introduction to Natural Resource Planning introduces an iterative planning process with five steps and two ongoing processes. Suitable for any type of planning setting, the book describes each step of the planning process in extensive practical detail. Comprising field-tested strategies woven into a comprehensive and complete protocol, the book explores: Planners and the planning process Establishing the decision context, gathering evidence, plan formulation, and evaluating, comparing, and selecting plans The importance of public involvement Telling your story so that people understand and care about it Dealing effectively with uncertainty as part of the planning process Scenario planning when uncertainty obscures the future Economics for planners: cost estimates and economic analysis Fast planning and getting the most out of your planning process Practical tips from experienced natural resource planners Natural resources planning involves solving complex problems. Fascinating new issues continue to emerge as we seek to identify and preserve natural DNA, struggle with invasive and nonindigenous species, and worry about the well-being of native and managed pollinators. Meanwhile, we continue to struggle with familiar problems like water quality, developing resources for wise uses, loss of habitat, and floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. This volume will empower both experienced and new planners to plan more effectively for solutions to preserve and manage our natural resources.

Contents: Envisioning the Future Uncertainty Natural Resources Planning Is ... Organization of This Book Take Aways A Team Sport Who Needs to Plan? Planning is Done in Teams What Does a Team Look Like? Stages of a Team Team Processes Team Member Roles What Does a Team Do? Take Aways The Planning Process What Makes a Good Process? Steps and Iterations Examples of Planning Processes Five by Two Here's How It Works Risk-Informed Planning What Do You Do with the Process? Take Aways Establish the Decision Context Problem (and Opportunity) Identification Without Condition Scenario Objectives and Constraints Decision Criteria Information Needs Uncertainty Six Pieces of Paper Take Aways Addendum 1: Cause and Effect Diagrams and Problem Identification Techniques Gather Evidence Introduction Evidence-Based Decision Making Under Uncertainty Evidence Analysis Scenarios Take Aways Formulate Solutions Introduction Pep Talk: Break Rules and Be Creative The Language of Formulation Formulation Strategies Formulating for Uncertainty Take Aways Evaluate Solutions What Is Evaluation, and Why Do We Do It? How to Evaluate Plans Take Aways Compare Solutions Comparing in Planning How to Compare? Take Aways Make a Decision The Decision Who and How? Making the Decision: Selecting a Solution Risk-Based Decision-Making Strategies Take Aways Addendum 1: Analytical Hierarchy Process Addendum 2: Decisions with Simple Paired Ranking Public Involvement Introduction What Is It? Stakeholders Involve the Public When to Do Public Involvement? Take Aways Tell Your Story Elements of a Good Story Write Simply Graphics Documentation Take Aways Uncertainty Introduction Distinguishing Knowledge Uncertainty and Variability? Types of Uncertainty Quantity Uncertainty Sources of Uncertainty in Empirical Quantities Uncertainty Causes Risk Being Intentional about Uncertainty in the Planning Process Take Aways Scenario Planning Introduction Scenario-Planning Background A Scenario-Planning Process Addressing Uncertainty in the Without Condition(s) Other Planning Tasks in Scenario Planning Take Aways Addendum: Drivers and Forces Economics for Planners Economic Principles Cost Concepts Uncertainty in Cost Estimates Sorting Out the Costs of Multipurpose Plans Types of Economic Analysis Take Aways Fast Planning Introduction Why Plan Faster? Fast Track: A 30-Day Process Five-Day Iteration 25 Days of Satisficing through Science Risk Register In the End Take Aways Addendum: SMART Planning Practical Tips Introduction Seeing is Believing Let's Spend Some Time Together The 72-Hour Iteration (3 in 30) Take Time to Think Listen to Your Elders Lists Are Your Friends Know the Relevant Policies Be True to Your Profession Gain Experience Planning and Politics Communicate and Network (P.S. Be Careful of What You Say) Write As You Go Take Aways Index

Author Biography: Charles Yoe is a professor of economics at Notre Dame of Maryland University and an independent risk analysis consultant, but at heart he is a planner and educator.aHe began his planning career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has since worked with a number ofaU.S. and other government agencies as a planner, consultant, risk analyst, and trainer in a wide range of areas touching natural resources that include food and feed, natural disasters, public works infrastructure, homeland security, ecosystem restoration, resource development, biotechnology in crops, all manner of water resources, ecosystem services, and the like.