Title: An Evaluation of Three Democratic, Community-Based Approaches to Citizen Participation: Surveys, Conversations With Community Groups, and Community Dinners

Authors: Deborah S. Carr and Kathleen Halvorsen

Summary: Society and National Resources, 14: 107-126; 2001
Recommended Audience: Evaluators of public participation and community involvement in watershed management. Also for technical assistance providers, specialists, and government agents for watershed initiatives seeking to create involvement.
Principal Topic: Effectiveness of three-community based strategies for engaging community participation.

Review: Especially valuable is the community development and public involvement theory development of specific criteria for evaluating community involvement. The three participatory techniques evaluated are somewhat limited in scope with regard to potential avenues for involvement. However, the results clearly make the case for using methods beyond traditional surveys in order to create more effective involvement. Surveys were less able to determine the development of a sense of common good and integrate the underlying values of participants. The community meetings and dinners provided a means for public dialogue regarding what was in the best interest of the community and for individuals.

Implications: This paper is useful for considering the results one is likely to obtain from using different means of public involvement. However, it lacks a broader array of options for community involvement. Those seeking to evaluate participation will find value in the criteria for determining community involvement and the methods used in measurement. Some of the issues faced with forest management are similar to those of watershed management - especially those related to public vs. private rights and values.

Resource(s): An Evaluation of Three...