FRST 415 – POLI 404 2011 GBR EBM Implementation Simulation Description
Multistakeholder Consultation Exercise
Implementing Ecosystem-Based Management on the Central and North Coasts:
How Much Old Growth Forest Should be Retained? November 21
FRST_POLI_GBR Simulation Groups Sep 20 2011
Marking Rubric for Briefs briefMarking Guideline 2011
Guide for writing an advocacy brief Guide to writing an advocacy brief
Objective: A major component of the course is a simulation of a multi-stakeholder consultation on a topical issue in BC forest policy. The objectives of this exercise are to develop practical skills — teamwork, research, and communication — necessary for constructive participation in policy development, while simultaneously developing a deep understanding of one crucial component of forest policy.
Scenario: In 2006, after nearly a decade of negotiations, the Government of British Columbia announced a major land use decision for the so-called “Great Bear Rainforest.” The decision set aside one-third of the area in protected areas, and the remaining two thirds is to be governed by a new environmentally sensitive regulatory framework referred to as “ecosystem-based management.” One of the most important components of the framework is how much old growth forest will be retained. In March 2009, this amount was set at 50%, with some exemptions, even though a consensus science group recommended the amount be 70%. We have been delegated the task of establishing the appropriate level of old growth forest protection in the region.
Organization: The class will be divided into ten groups reflecting different stakeholders involved in the process: the BC Ministry of Environment; Greenpeace; Sierra Club of BC, Coast Forest Products Association, Truck Loggers Association, Western Forest Products, United Steelworkers, Central and North Coast Communities, Nanwakolas Council, and Coastal First Nations.
Process: Students will be assigned to groups based on random selection. Some class time will be set aside for group meetings. In addition, students are expected to consult “real world” versions of their caucuses. There will be an evening (5-9), mock multi-stakeholder consultation on (November 21) (attendance is required for those choosing this assignment). Groups are also responsible for selecting their representative (and an alternate) to speak and negotiate for them during the consultation. A set of readings are assigned that provide an overview of the policies in this area. Students may find it useful to consult information beyond these.
Assessment: The simulation accounts for 30% of your grade, components of which have been allocated and designed to stimulate both effective group and individual effort:
- 10% for the group brief due November 15, not to exceed 2000 words. This is a group project, which clearly and concisely presents the group’s initial position on how to revise the rules. It should contain references.
- 10% for each student’s participation in the group. This grade will be based predominately on the recommendations for grades that students provide of each other.
- 10% for the performance of each group in the consultation.
Note: The group brief needs to be submitted to www.turnitin.com before being submitted the instructor. The class ID number is 1973825, the password is talltrees. If you do not already have a user profile on the site, you will have to create one.
Required Reading for Multi-Stakeholder Simulation Exercise. Note: Here are the minimal required readings. Much useful information is also contained in the recommended readings, and you may want to consult other documents as well.
Merran Smith, Art Sterritt, and Patrick Armstrong, “From Conflict to Collaboration: The Story of the Great Bear Rainforest.” May 2007. http://forestethics.org/downloads/WWFpaper.pdf
Coast Information Team, EBM Planning Handbook Report, http://www.citbc.org/c-ebm-hdbk-fin-22mar04.pdf
CentralCoastLandand Resource Management Plan, Final Report of Consensus Recommendations to the Provincial Government and First Nations, May 2004, pp 1-25. http://archive.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/slrp/lrmp/nanaimo/cencoast/docs/table_rec/final_report_may20_04.pdf
Simulation Agenda:
5:00-6:00 Initial Presentation from Caucuses (5 minutes each)
6:00-6:45 Facilitator Identification of areas of agreement and disagreement
6:45-7:15 Dinner Break: Group meetings
7:15-8:15 Narrow range of disagreements
8:15-8:45 Establish consensus position or range of option
8:45-9:00 Debrief
