Introduction to Natural Resource Planning

This is an exciting time for natural resources planning. There are amazing technologies available to planners and a wide and growing array of resources, problems, and opportunities that need attention. Private and public interests are taking up these issues all over the world and at all levels of involvement. At the same time, inefficient planning policies and procedures can threaten the art of successful planning. Demonstrating how to put effective planning theory into practice, Introduction to Natural Resource Planning introduces an iterative planning process with five steps and two ongoing processes. Suitable for any type of planning setting, the book describes each step of the planning process in extensive practical detail. Comprising field-tested strategies woven into a comprehensive and complete protocol, the book explores: Planners and the planning process Establishing the decision context, gathering evidence, plan formulation, and evaluating, comparing, and selecting plans The importance of public involvement Telling your story so that people understand and care about it Dealing effectively with uncertainty as part of the planning process Scenario planning when uncertainty obscures the future Economics for planners: cost estimates and economic analysis Fast planning and getting the most out of your planning process Practical tips from experienced natural resource planners Natural resources planning involves solving complex problems. Fascinating new issues continue to emerge as we seek to identify and preserve natural DNA, struggle with invasive and nonindigenous species, and worry about the well-being of native and managed pollinators. Meanwhile, we continue to struggle with familiar problems like water quality, developing resources for wise uses, loss of habitat, and floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. This volume will empower both experienced and new planners to plan more effectively for solutions to preserve and manage our natural resources.

Envisioning the FutureUncertaintyNatural ResourcesPlanning Is … Organization of This Book Take Aways A Team Sport Who Needs to Plan? Planning is Done in Teams What Does a Team Look Like? Stages of a TeamTeam ProcessesTeam Member RolesWhat Does a Team Do?Take AwaysThe Planning Process What Makes a Good Process?Steps and IterationsExamples of Planning Processes Five by TwoHere’s How It WorksRisk-Informed Planning What Do You Do with the Process? Take Aways Establish the Decision Context Problem (and Opportunity) Identification Without Condition Scenario Objectives and ConstraintsDecision Criteria Information Needs UncertaintySix Pieces of Paper Take AwaysAddendum 1: Cause and Effect Diagrams and Problem IdentificationTechniquesGather EvidenceIntroductionEvidence-Based Decision Making Under UncertaintyEvidenceAnalysisScenarios Take AwaysFormulate SolutionsIntroduction Pep Talk: Break Rules and Be CreativeThe Language of Formulation Formulation Strategies Formulating for Uncertainty Take Aways Evaluate Solutions What Is Evaluation, and Why Do We Do It? How to Evaluate Plans Take Aways Compare Solutions Comparing in Planning How to Compare? Take Aways Make a Decision The Decision Who and How? Making the Decision: Selecting a Solution Risk-Based Decision-Making StrategiesTake AwaysAddendum 1: Analytical Hierarchy ProcessAddendum 2: Decisions with Simple Paired RankingPublic Involvement Introduction What Is It?StakeholdersInvolve the PublicWhen to Do Public Involvement?Take AwaysTell Your Story Elements of a Good StoryWrite SimplyGraphicsDocumentationTake Aways Uncertainty Introduction Distinguishing Knowledge Uncertainty and Variability? Types of UncertaintyQuantity Uncertainty Sources of Uncertainty in Empirical QuantitiesUncertainty Causes Risk Being Intentional about Uncertainty in the Planning Process Take AwaysScenario Planning Introduction Scenario-Planning BackgroundA Scenario-Planning ProcessAddressing Uncertainty in the Without Condition(s)Other Planning Tasks in Scenario PlanningTake AwaysAddendum: Drivers and ForcesEconomics for PlannersEconomic PrinciplesCost Concepts Uncertainty in Cost EstimatesSorting Out the Costs of Multipurpose Plans Types of Economic Analysis Take Aways Fast Planning Introduction Why Plan Faster? Fast Track: A 30-Day ProcessFive-Day Iteration25 Days of Satisficing through ScienceRisk RegisterIn the EndTake AwaysAddendum: SMART PlanningPractical TipsIntroductionSeeing is BelievingLet’s Spend Some Time TogetherThe 72-Hour Iteration (3 in 30)Take Time to ThinkListen to Your EldersLists Are Your FriendsKnow the Relevant PoliciesBe True to Your ProfessionGain ExperiencePlanning and PoliticsCommunicate and Network (P.S. Be Careful of What You Say)Write As You GoTake AwaysIndex

Charles Yoe is a professor of economics at Notre Dame of Maryland University and an independent risk analysis consultant, but at heart he is a planner and educator. He began his planning career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has since worked with a number of U.S. and other government agencies as a planner, consultant, risk analyst, and trainer in a wide range of areas touching natural resources that include food and feed, natural disasters, public works infrastructure, homeland security, ecosystem restoration, resource development, biotechnology in crops, all manner of water resources, ecosystem services, and the like.