ABSTRACT
Collaborative Resource Management Partnerships are initiatives in which diverse stakeholders work together to address natural resource management issues. An increasing number of communities are looking toward collaboration as an alternative to traditional resource management problem solving. Yet, the range and variation of these initiatives is inadequately understood. This study describes the landscape of collaborative partnerships in the United States, highlighting ten in-depth case studies. Over one and a half years, a database of over 450 collaborative resource partnerships was established. Through the creation of a mapping framework, the range and variation of collaborative activity was then documented with regard to groups' origin, issues, organization, process and outcomes. By selecting a subset of ten partnerships, we also conducted interviews to assess the common challenges facing collaborative initiatives and the strategies adopted to manage them.
Contrary to assumptions in the literature, we found that collaborative partnerships are variable, dynamic and evolving. Groups consistently access the wider community in search of feedback, advice and expertise, addressing a variety of challenges through innovative strategies. ii