Participatory Landscape Analysis to Guide Restoration of Ponderosa Pine Ecosystems in the American Southwest

Thomas D. Sisk, John W. Prather, Haydee M Hampton, Ethan N. Aumack, Yaguang Xu, Brett G. Dickson

This essay presents, in detail, the authors' methods of engaging multiple stake-holders in the restoration and planning process. The project concentrated on the highly contentious idea of restoring pine forests in the Southwest to where they were for most of the preceding 1000 years in terms of fire disturbance and structural makeup. Where fire is involved, residents become important stakeholders, as do scientists, conservationists and restorationists, and other NGOs.
They use their process as evidence to support the idea that careful and thorough scientific analysis can be used to convey information to non-scientists throughout the planning process, even with a relatively large scale project like this. The plus in this article is that the conclusion supports the idea that the gap between scientists and lay persons can work together effectively to reach common goals - something that we all will strive for. The negative, in my opinion, is that I just told you the only worthwhile thing to take from this article, and the rest is extremely unmemorable. This will be an important resource though, when you are considering doing a similar management or restoration plan.