An understanding of trust, identity, and power can enhance equitable and resilient conservation partnerships and processes

Alia M Dietsch,Marc J Stern,Dara M Wald,Brooke Tully

doi:10.1111/csp2.421

Abstract

AbstractConservation practitioners regularly engage in partnerships and processes to develop and achieve important conservation goals aimed at alleviating the biodiversity crisis. These processes, and the partnerships needed for success, are subject to complex social dynamics that can result in negative outcomes if not well understood and addressed. As an illustration, a heavy reliance on authority‐based power in a conservation process could lead to alliances with some groups and alienation of others. Such ingroup/outgroup dynamics can prompt threats to one's identity and distrust of others, which may lead to disengagement or active blocking of progress toward goals (e.g., legal action). To support practitioners in addressing the biodiversity crisis, we review key concepts and theory from the literature in relation to how trust, identity, and power operate in the context of conservation partnerships and processes. We further offer a list of considerations for conservation practitioners seeking to co‐develop goals that are achievable, equitable, and responsive to the needs of diverse interests, as well as sustainable over time given shifting social and ecological conditions.

Highlights

Conservation practitioners aim to achieve myriad goals, including to protect endangered species, restore ecosystem function, enhance human livelihoods, prevent habitat loss and fragmentation, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and more
We address the need to adapt to changing conditions of trust, identity, and power within partnerships and processes over time
We believe that conservation goals could more readily be achieved by engaging in formal consideration of the arenas where power dynamics, identity, and trust have the potential to create conflict among stakeholders, including conservationists as a stakeholder, and acting to address these considerations

Summary

Introduction

Conservation practitioners aim to achieve myriad goals, including to protect endangered species, restore ecosystem function, enhance human livelihoods, prevent habitat loss and fragmentation, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and more. We meet this need to understand how trust, identity, and power can help practitioners identify where different partners (including themselves) stand in relation to other groups as well as common root causes of social conflict and pathways to address those causes considering different stakeholder interests.

Results

Conclusion