Conservation coalitions cannot overcome poor conservation programming

Excerpt

During the past decade, a number of public and private conservation agencies have argued that the form of social organization employed to deliver soil and water conservation programs at the local level significantly influences the effectiveness of conservation initiatives. The form of social organization that has been advanced as being the most effective is a coalition of groups working collectively to achieve conservation goalsusually at the watershed level.

Proponents of the coalition form of social organization argue that cooperation among conservation groups working within watersheds will result in better utilization of limited economic and human resources. It is posited that the elimination of over lapping and/or duplicate programs will result in cost savings and better administration of conservation programs. Proponents suggest that interagency cooperation will reduce the effort required by clients to identify relevant conservation programs because staff persons in coalition groups will be aware of relevant programs offered by other cooperating agencies. It is also argued that involvement of local people in the decision making process about the development and implementation of conservation programs will result in greater acceptance of conservation recommendations among client groups. It is believed that potential program participants will be much more supportive of …