Evaluation of a collaborative approach to mediate conflict between parties with interests in wildlife and livestock in Colorado

Abstract

This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer.The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction.In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. The Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) is a collaborative initiative of the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Colorado Cattleman's Association. The program consists of 15 committees, distributed over western Colorado, representing the interests of public resource managers, livestock growers and hunters. Through partnerships and projects, each committee strives to reduce fence damage and forage loss from big game activity. Information gathered from interviews, documents, projects and observation was used to assess the effectiveness of HPP in meeting its stated goals: resolve conflicts, improve ecosystem health, raise local knowledge about resource management and improve communication and understanding. Over seven years (1991-1998), committees completed habitat improvement projects on 77,856 hectares of public and private land, established 124 water developments and assisted with noxious weed control on 5,904 hectares. In addition, 193 kilometers of new 'wildlife friendly' fence and 60 big game crossings were built. For educational purposes, committees sponsored 31 workshops in holistic resource management and developed 37 brochures on natural resource issues. Ninety-four percent of committee members thought the program improved communication between landowners, sportspersons and government agencies. As measured by independent indicators and the degree of satisfaction of program participants, HPP can be considered an improvement over previous directive programs. However, the continuous influx of people and the loss of habitat in Colorado -over 110,000 hectares per year-may render moot the issues addressed by collaborative wildlife and natural resource management programs. u Graduate College