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An evaluative framework for watershed restoration initiatives, as applied to the Squamish River watershed restoration project

University of British Columbia

Watershed restoration has in recent years received a great deal of attention from policy makers and other stakeholders in British Columbia. Two hundred twenty seven watershed restoration projects were approved for funding by Forest Renewal British Columbia during the 1995-1996 fiscal year, with an approved budget of $22.2 million dollars. Despite this attention, there is no clear agreement on what watershed restoration is or how it should be evaluated. There is a pressing need for a watershed restoration evaluation process to be developed and implemented at the program level. The purpose of this research is to develop an evaluative framework for watershed restoration initiatives generally, and apply it to the Squamish River Watershed Restoration Project as a means of testing and improving the framework. In the process an evaluation of the Squamish River Watershed Restoration Project is conducted. The methods used to conduct this research included: (1) a comprehensive review of project reports, proposals and other relevant literature, (2) the design and application of a structured evaluative framework and (3) informational interviews with individuals representing legitimate interests in the case study. The evaluative framework appeared to be successful at measuring the performance of the case study, and may have great potential as a program evaluation tool. Application of this evaluative framework to other watershed restoration initiatives may help advance the goals of ecological restoration and sustainable development through investment in natural capital. It is recommended that future initiatives could benefit by: • Utilizing an ecosystem approach to natural resource management, one that emphasizes investment in natural capital, the establishment and maintenance of self sustaining social and ecological systems. • Utilizing a commonly recognized definition of ecological restoration, as promoting: (1) ecologically and socially desirable ecosystem values; (2) identifies functional and structural elements essential to self-sustaining systems; (3) facilitation of ecosystem recovery. • Applying the principles of decision analysis, and the use of the fundamental objectives that have been developed as a part of this work throughout the different phases of the project. • Incorporating the principles and practice of Adaptive Management. • Incorporating a collaborative approach to problem solving and, decision making when appropriate.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-03-11

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/5923

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University of British Columbia

UBCV

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