TY - JOUR
T1 - Collaborative Watershed Groups in Three Pacific Northwest States
T2 - A Regional evaluation of group metrics and perceived success
AU - Chaffin, B. C.
AU - Mahler, R. L.
AU - Wulfhorst, J. D.
AU - Shafii, B.
PY - 2012/2
Y1 - 2012/2
N2 - Watershed management through collaborative groups has become important throughout the United States over the past two decades. Although several studies of Oregon and Washington watershed groups exist, a definitive regional analysis of Pacific Northwest (PNW) watershed groups' success is lacking. This paper uses data collected from a single survey instrument to determine the status, structure, and success of watershed groups in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, respectively. Results indicate that watershed group member satisfaction with elements of group structure correlates with levels of perceived group success. Strong leadership within a group and a clear mission statement also indicate higher levels of perceived success. Contrasting realized successes among PNW watershed groups with metrics of perceived success constructed from survey data define watershed groups' missions and goals and is validated by analysis of the Washington State planning groups' responses. Overall, PNW watershed groups identified themselves as largely successful. Therefore, the structure, function, and operation identified as characteristic of PNW watershed groups could be used as a model for developing watershed group programming in regions with similar conditions.
AB - Watershed management through collaborative groups has become important throughout the United States over the past two decades. Although several studies of Oregon and Washington watershed groups exist, a definitive regional analysis of Pacific Northwest (PNW) watershed groups' success is lacking. This paper uses data collected from a single survey instrument to determine the status, structure, and success of watershed groups in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, respectively. Results indicate that watershed group member satisfaction with elements of group structure correlates with levels of perceived group success. Strong leadership within a group and a clear mission statement also indicate higher levels of perceived success. Contrasting realized successes among PNW watershed groups with metrics of perceived success constructed from survey data define watershed groups' missions and goals and is validated by analysis of the Washington State planning groups' responses. Overall, PNW watershed groups identified themselves as largely successful. Therefore, the structure, function, and operation identified as characteristic of PNW watershed groups could be used as a model for developing watershed group programming in regions with similar conditions.
KW - Collaborative groups
KW - Sociology
KW - Watershed management
KW - Watershed planning
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84856496078&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2011.00599.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2011.00599.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84856496078
SN - 1093-474X
VL - 48
SP - 113
EP - 122
JO - Journal of the American Water Resources Association
JF - Journal of the American Water Resources Association
IS - 1
ER -