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The Influence of Sci the Influence of Science On THE INFLUENCE OF SCISCIENCEENCE ON CONSERVATION P PLLLLANNINGANNING IN THE LONG POINT REGIOREGION:N: HOW CHARACTERIZATIONS OF SCIENCE AFFECT CONSERVATION AAPPLICATIONPPLICATIONPPLICATIONSSSS by Sarah Ellen Ramey A thesis submitted to the School of Urban and Regional Planning in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Urban and Regional Planning Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario, Canada (June, 2010) Copyright © Sarah Ellen Ramey, 2010 Library and Archives Bibliothèque et Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de l’édition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre référence ISBN: 978-0-494-70061-7 Our file Notre référence ISBN: 978-0-494-70061-7 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non- L’auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant à la Bibliothèque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par télécommunication ou par l’Internet, prêter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des thèses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, à des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non- support microforme, papier, électronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L’auteur conserve la propriété du droit d’auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protège cette thèse. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la thèse ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent être imprimés ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author’s permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformément à la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privée, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont été enlevés de thesis. cette thèse. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n’y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. AbstractAbstractAbstract This research explored the role of science and civil society environmental organizations in conservation planning, using a case study of Ontario’s Long Point region. Science is a dynamic field that is constantly adapting and evolving (Bocking 2001; Kohler 2006; Loo 2007), and is increasingly relied on as a basis for decision- making in conservation planning, policy and management (Bocking 2001; Loo 2006; Theberge & Theberge 2009). The role of civil society in conservation planning has also grown and organizations that operate outside of government now play an important role in acquiring land, conducting monitoring activities, and promoting local stewardship (Merenlender et al. 2004; Whitelaw 2005; Reed 2007; Conrad & Daoust 2008; Dempsey & Dearden 2009). Considering the activities of these organizations, and the underlying science that informs them, is essential given the increasing prevalence of this type of work and the increasing ability of civil society organizations to affect conservation planning outcomes. Through a literature review, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews, this research considered how characterizations of science, applications of science, and recent trends in science have influenced conservation plans, policies, and actions in the Long Point region. The results illustrate how different forms of information were considered and applied when prioritizing, justifying, and implementing conservation i projects and provide a location-specific example of how the modern features of conservation planning and management are influencing environmental outcomes. Specifically, the results suggest how place-based knowledge can potentially be disseminated through policy and planning initiatives and also suggest how different forms of information may interact to influence overall project credibility. These findings have implications for both planning theory and practice by contributing to our understanding of the role of science in shaping conservation practices, the role of civil society in driving conservation innovation, and the importance of local knowledge in supporting effective conservation actions. ii Acknowledgements I would like to thank everyone who contributed – in any way – to the shaping and production of this thesis. Firstly, thank you to everyone I was involved with in the Long Point region - your passion for the area and the conservation work you do is wonderful. I appreciate the time you took to assist me in various ways with this study, and without you this research could never have happened. Thank you also to all the SURP faculty (and Jo-Anne!) who have contributed to my planning education here at Queen’s, particularly Graham Whitelaw who offered me the opportunity to pursue this research and provided guidance, advice, and opinions along the way. Additionally, I would like to thank the CIP for believing in this research and recognizing it through a scholarship, and similarly thank the SSHRC for their recognition and financial support. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, Bill and Bev, who not only proofread the full thesis, but also offered invaluable moral support throughout my planning education. Thank you also to all my friends – SURPers or otherwise – who made the last two years relaxed, fun, and enjoyable! iii Table of Contents Abstract........................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................iii Table of Contents.......................................................................................................... iv List of Tables................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures............................................................................................................... vii List of Acronyms.........................................................................................................viii Chapter 1: Introduction............................................................................................ - 1 - 1.1 Context ............................................................................................................ - 1 - 1.2 Objectives........................................................................................................ - 2 - 1.3 Methods........................................................................................................... - 3 - 1.4 Structure.......................................................................................................... - 4 - Chapter 2: Methodology ........................................................................................... - 6 - 2.1 Research Approach.......................................................................................... - 6 - 2.2 Methods........................................................................................................... - 7 - 2.2.1 Literature Review ..................................................................................... - 8 - 2.2.2 Document Analysis................................................................................... - 8 - 2.2.3 Semi-structured Interviews .................................................................... - 10 - 2.2.4 Analysis................................................................................................... - 13 - 2.3 Limitations..................................................................................................... - 14 - 2.4 Long Point Region Case Study ...................................................................... - 15 - 2.4.1 Area Overview........................................................................................ - 15 - 2.4.2 Environmental Organizations................................................................. - 18 - Chapter 3: Literature Review ................................................................................. - 22 - 3.1 The Nature of Science ................................................................................... - 22 - 3.1.1 Characterizing “Scientific Knowledge”................................................... - 23 - 3.1.2 Characterizing “Local Ecological Knowledge”........................................ - 28 - 3.1.3 The Production and Application of Knowledge ..................................... - 31 - 3.2 Science and Conservation Planning in Canada ............................................. - 36 - 3.2.1 Eras of Canadian Conservation Planning................................................ - 37 - 3.2.2 The Influence of Civil Society Environmental Organizations................ - 43 - 3.2.3 Emerging Issues....................................................................................... - 46 - 3.3 A Modern Paradigm of Conservation Planning and Management ............... - 50 - 3.3.1 Science-based Management .................................................................... - 52 - 3.3.2 Collaboration..........................................................................................
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