Collaborative Decision Making

"People affected by change have to be deeply involved in the crafting of solutions...We have to get better at both involving people in the process of change and providing them with enough information to make that involvement useful and worthwhile."

-- William D. Ruckelshaus

The Ruckelshaus Institute's program in collaborative environmental decision making supports stakeholders, policy makers and resource managers in making decisions about the future. We achieve this by:

• Combining scientific information, human values and decision support
• Developing effective, lasting solutions to environmental problems
• Using the Ruckelshaus Institute's cadre of experts who convene stakeholders and representatives from private business and industry, public interest groups, landowners and government
• Exploring policy alternatives, management priorities and future visions

Professional Development for Natural Resource Managers

The 2013 Collaboration Program in Natural Resources launches this April with a new cohort of mid- and upper-level natural resource decision makers and engaged citizens. In six rigorous sessions, participants will gain skills and knowledge to apply collaborative processes to complex environment and natural resource challenges to build lasting, supported solutions. Apply by April 8.

Current and recent projects

Collaboration in Natural Resources: A Wyoming Forum

Interested in becoming part of a network that will build capacity in natural resource collaboration in Wyoming? Attend the Ruckelshaus Institute's Collaboration in Natural Resources forum in Lander this April. We welcome your participation.

Across the Great Divide: A roundtable of acclaimed natural resource leaders

Alan Simpson, William Ruckelshaus and John Turner spoke about the challenges to and values of collaborative decision making in a roundtable discussion moderated by Michael Sullivan in Cody, Wyo., on August 13, 2012. A video of the event is now available online.

Upper Green River Basin Air Quality Citizens Advisory Task Force

In February 2012, the WDEQ convened the Upper Green River Basin Air Quality Citizen Advisory Task Force to consider and advise on potential solutions to reduce ozone. The Ruckelshaus Institute supports the Task Force by designing group decision-making processes, providing decision support services, and facilitating collaborative solutions.

Read an article about the Task Force's success with facilitating this collaborative process.

Read more...

For information about past projects, click here.

For a print version of Collaborative Process Program information, click here.