Behaviour Change Action Plan for the Fraser Basin

Year 2009
Leader FSWP
Project type Engagement
FSWP funding source Living Rivers
Grant amount $61,124
ID number FSWP09 EE LR125

Location: Fraser River Basin,

Project Summary

Background

This is a 3-Phase project.  In phase I, FSWP identified HOW best to enable action-oriented education in the Basin.  The project phases:
1. Assessment
2. EE Plan Development and Active Learning through Enhanced Engagement Pilots (Partnership Leveraging)
3. EE Plan Implementation and Evaluation

The assessment done was informed by a variety of works. 
1) Interviews with Basin practitioners
2) Results from the Fraser Assembly (identification of key processes and principles to promote)
3) Learning resulting from doing and analyzing 2008 EE projects outcomes and approaches
4) FSWP Logic Model Outcomes and Strategies

Overview

The assessment suggested that a way to catalyze action within our community of practice is to forward the understanding of, and support for engagement.  No matter what work is being done, our practitioners have told us that understanding how to effectively engage your audience is key to a successful project.  Issues relating to engagement include bridging across scales and cultures, learning exchanges between practitioners, diversity and inclusiveness.  This is a coherent approach for EE as it leverages the fundraising and social marketing work done in 2008; it supports and expands on lessons learned from 2008; and will enhance the approach for activities implemented in 2010/11. 


Strategy

We have identified key opportunities to work with experienced and established Basin practitioners by leveraging from their work.  The leveraging occurs by providing these partners with an engagement framework to consider while doing their work.  They will report out on their experience within this framework, in addition to completing their own project deliverables.  For example, while completing their projects, partners will consider key engagement questions and issues, and provide insights back to FSWP.  From these insights, in Phase III of this project, FSWP will develop and implement activities that address key engagement issues relevant to Basin practitioners.  For example if it becomes apparent that a barrier to engagement is a lack of cultural awareness, FSWP could support diversity training on some scale.  This process supports the plan�(tm)s goals to articulate a balanced approach that addresses practitioners needs and strengths (i.e. supporting work they are already doing) while building on existing relationships, existing capacity and leveraging FSWP�(tm)s strengths (to facilitate relationships, networks, knowledge and experiences).  Partners identified to work with are:

a) Marion Robinson �” Understanding the Culture of Non-regular Recreationalists
b) Carla Glessing �” Sustainability Coordinator Model
c) Tracy Bond �” Regional Riparian Logic Model Champion

*Phase III: work on identifying activities and implementing them will begin in January 2010 and will run concurrently with Phase II, pending approval.

Deliverables

1. Identification of engagement needs/barriers in the Basin by supporting enhanced engagement of existing practitioners
2. Identification and development of activities that build on the deliverables and findings of Phase II to broaden engagement to a larger sector of our community of practice
3. An understanding of how to approach messaging to non-regular recreationalists, thereby supporting watershed sustainability
4. The development and dissemination of language appropriate and understandable for local government planning processes to benefit fish and watersheds
5. Identification of audiences to engage regarding ‘increased retention of riparian buffers before and during development�(tm)
6. Identification of approaches and activities for the target audience that will address challenges to increasing retention of riparian buffers
7. Increased regional coordination and engagement on sustainability issues in the Upper Fraser through 3 sub-regional sustainability committees
8. Basin practitioners use the lessons and experiences of this leveraged work to increase their understanding/ability to engage audiences


Final Results

Scoping emerging engagement themes amongst practitioners to inform future Education and Engagement programming for FSWP.  Accomplished by funding three regional pilot projects and FSWP conducting 13 engagement surveys.  The pilots: Addressing behaviour change and best management practices amongst surveyors and equipment operators working in the riparian zone; Sustainability Coordinator position in the Cariboo Chilcotin; and Voluntary Behaviour change in recreationalists.  In addition to pilot delivery proponents also conducted engagement surveys as a strategic project development tool and FSWP documentated key learnings for each pilot project process.  All results have been summarized and reported on.

Also see project on Voluntary Behaviour change in recreationalists.