Abstract
Wildlife conservation is losing ground in the U.S. for many reasons. The net effect is declines in species and habitat. To address this trend, the wildlife conservation institution (i.e., all customs, practices, organizations and agencies, policies, and laws with respect to wildlife) must adapt to contemporary social–ecological conditions. Adaptation could be supported by clear guidelines reflecting contemporary expectations for wildlife governance. We combine elements of public trust thinking and good governance to produce a broad set of wildlife governance principles. These principles represent guidance for ecologically and socially responsible wildlife conservation. They address persistent, systemic problems and, if adopted, will bring the institution into line with modern expectations for governance of public natural resources. Implementation will require changes in values, objectives, and processes of the wildlife conservation institution. These changes may be difficult, but promise improved wildlife conservation outcomes and increased support for conservation. We introduce challenges and opportunities associated with the principles, and encourage dialogue about them among scientists, practitioners, and other leaders in U.S. wildlife conservation. The principles alone will not change the course of conservation for the better, but may be necessary for such change to occur.
Highlights
We propose wildlife governance principles (WGPs) as a framework for a wildlife conservation institution that can overcome the persistent challenges of unknown or alienated beneficiaries, special interest group exclusivity, and narrow conservation outcomes
The wildlife conservation institution needs to take many actions to reduce the decline of species and habitats; key among them is to shift from operating under a framework focused predominantly on a narrow set of wildlife interests, to a social–ecological paradigm and concomitant approach to wildlife conservation that embraces the interests and participation of a broader public (Jacobson et al 2010; Decker et al 2014a)
WGPs support the evolution of this paradigm by offering guidance on behaviors, processes, and decisions that embody public trust thinking (PTT) and good governance (GG)
Summary
Our emphasis on PTT and GG responds to growing attention to public trusteeship of wildlife (Jacobson et al 2010; Smith 2011; Decker et al 2014b; Hare & Blossey 2014; Wood 2014), coupled with expectations for all entities involved in governance to practice GG (Lockwood et al 2010). Governance norms applied consistently will help promote more effective conservation and ensure fair consideration of the allocation of wildlife resource benefits to current and future citizens. Wildlife governance will be adaptable and responsive to citizens’ current needs and interests, while being forward-looking to conserve options of future generations. 3. Wildlife governance will apply social and ecological science, citizens’ knowledge, and trust administrators’ judgment. Trust administrators will apply well-informed, evidence-based, sound judgment in decisions about allocation of benefits produced by wildlife resources. This will require credible, salient, and legitimate social and ecological science, local knowledge, and professional expertise, enabling conservation practitioners to effectively meet conservation goals. Responsible trust administrators must be efficient, effective, and adaptive, to ensure the quantity, quality, and sustainability of wildlife resources. Collaboration and coordination across all types of boundaries improve the effectiveness and adaptability of wildlife governance
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