Chapter 1: Guidebook Introduction

It is not, however, a typical ‘guidebook’ in the sense that it is neither a review of engagement ‘best practices’, nor a linear or prescriptive outline of how to engage people effectively.  Rather, it provides an empirical and practical grounding in the development and implementation of community-led, deliberation-based stakeholder engagement processes, approaches, and strategies.

It is designed as an exploration of the lessons learned, concepts, considerations, and recommendations the Water for Agriculture (1) (W4Ag) project has drawn from our findings and experience implementing and studying community engagement projects in five sites across diverse agriculture and water contexts in Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Arizona.

Engagement in Natural Resource Management

While our primary focus is related to stakeholder engagement initiatives within the realm of water and agriculture, most of the strategies and considerations discussed throughout the Guidebook are relevant to a broad range of natural resource concerns and initiatives. And, importantly, even if your engagement needs, structure, or design are somewhat different than those reflected here, the concepts, lessons, tools, and strategies highlighted here will help you work to design and implement your effort as effectively as possible.  

Purpose

The overriding purpose of this Guidebook is to introduce those interested in taking a more engaged approach to addressing issues at the nexus of water and agriculture to the key concepts, tools, and strategies of undertaking – and natural resource settings in general. It is designed around three key focal areas. This three-pronged approach provides the breadth, depth, and detail necessary to ensure that those seeking to address natural resource water and agriculture issues through community engagement approaches have the information and skills they need to ensure their efforts are as successful as possible.