220 likes | 326 Vues
This program focuses on Habitat Conservation & Stewardship in British Columbia & Yukon. Lessons learned, successes, vision, design, communication, partnership, accountability are discussed. The HCSP aims to build community capacity with 100+ positions covering various roles. Strategies for success include communication, commitment, accountability, working with partners, staff selection, and integrated planning. The program's key principles include proactive habitat management, community involvement, and adaptive objectives.
E N D
Lessons Learned Habitat Conservation and Stewardship Program
A “New Direction” • DFO Management ready for a “new way of doing business” • DFO history of community involvement: 25 years of SEP and a reactive approach to habitat management • DFO Management ready for a “new way of doing business” • Proactive approach to habitat management • Next step: Habitat Conservation & Stewardship Program
HCSP Background • Canadian Fisheries Adjustment Restructuring Plan (CFAR) • Pacific Fisheries Restructuring Program • Habitat Conservation and Stewardship Program ($35 M)
Vision • Partnerships to enhance habitat protection and expand community capacity to steward fisheries resources. • DFO supported. • Community delivered.
Guiding Principles • Build community capacity • Strategic delivery • Local design & delivery • Scientific information exchange • Clear linkages • Communication • Adaptive
Objectives • Land & water planning • awareness • Habitat mapping and inventory • Stream surveillance and monitoring • Compliance monitoring • Technical information, advice & support • Enhance and restore habitat • community responsibility
Coverage & Delivery • British Columbia & Yukon • Deployed by Watershed • External stewards hired through “Community Partners” • Managed by DFO Habitat and Enhancement Branch • 7 Area Coordinators • Core RHQ staff
Stewards • 100 plus positions: • Habitat Auxiliaries (23) • Habitat Fishery Officers (4) • Stewardship Coordinators (50) • Habitat Stewards (32) • Internal DFO & community-based
Method • Literature review • Reviewed past program evaluations • Program meeting and workshops • Conducted interviews • Informal discussions
Lessons Learned • Knowledge or understanding • Gained by experience • Communicate • Positive and negative • Improve efficiency and effectiveness
HCSP Successes • Built and strengthened partnerships. • Involved First Nation. • External positions built bridges and enhanced communication. • Better communication between DFO and community. • Helped integrate stewardship into DFO.
Vision, Goals and Objectives • Clear, concise and compatible vision, goal(s) and objective(s). • Key terms and requirements clearly defined and communicated. • Realistic goals and principles. • Measurable objectives. • Vision, goals and objectives achievable in timeframe.
Program Design • Clearly define target audience(s). • Program implementation and operation guide in design phase. • Clearly define staff roles and responsibilities. • Well-defined and manageable geographic areas of responsibility.
Communication • Develop and implement a communication strategy. • Recognise successes. • Meaningful consultation with representatives from the areas of program delivery.
Commitment & Partnerships • Joint investment, mutually beneficial, and shared authority and responsibility. • Measurable work plans build trust and capacity. • “Joint management teams” foster transparency, build trust and strengthen partnerships.
Accountability & Evaluation • Do not sacrifice accountability for expedient program delivery. • Allocation of funds consistent with vision, goals and objectives. • Develop and implement an evaluation framework.
Working with Partners • Build capacity not dependency. • Consider pros and cons of “paying volunteers.” • Select appropriate groups to be Partners.
Right People for the Job • Strong leadership is critical. • Recruit people with the necessary skills and understanding. • Staff skilled in evaluation to design, implement, and assess the program.
Understand the ‘Lay of the Land’ • Consider and acknowledge the objectives of pre-existing efforts. • Understand and acknowledge the philosophy and administrative requirements of the overarching organisation.
Integrated Planning • Understand land and water-use planning. • Undertake habitat mapping, inventory, and assessment with a clear objective and in support of habitat protection. • Use watershed management plans to direct restoration and enhancement activities.
Summary • HCSP was successful. • Many internal and external challenges. • A lot of experience was gained and can be learned from. • Assessment is absolutely critical. • Opportunity to build on HCSP successes and challenges.