Using Adaptive Leadership Principles in Collaborative Conservation with Stakeholders to Tackle a Wicked Problem: Imperiled Species Management in Florida

Abstract

The changing sociopolitical environment for conservation obliges fish and wildlife agencies to learn to adapt to remain effective. Adaptive leadership principles appear promising as a tool to help agencies work through wicked problems. Imperiled species management in Florida has been controversial for nearly two decades and previous attempts to solve the problem were unsuccessful in ameliorating the controversy. Since prior approaches had failed, the issue was re-framed following adaptive leadership principles and considering stakeholder impacts. Adaptive leadership principles guided stakeholder engagement approaches that promoted collaborative governance, with stakeholders and staff working together to develop regulations for imperiled species management. Although more time is needed to know for certain, these efforts appear to have reduced the controversy surrounding this wicked problem. In this case, using adaptive leadership principles allowed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to be adaptable and involve stakeholders in developing new solutions to long-standing problems.