| The Sturgeon River plains bison (Bison bison bison ) herd, located in Prince Albert National Park (PANP), Saskatchewan has grown at a rate of 10--14% annually. The herd's range has expanded accordingly, with numerous incidences of bison crossing onto private lands, causing damages to crops and infrastructure. Landowners have had little input into the management of the herd inside PANP which has further compounded their frustrations. This research applies the theoretical aspects of both collaborative and ecosystem-based management to construct a framework for a grassroots organization that can work in partnership with other agencies for bison management. In order to accomplish this, case study analysis and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviewees were selected either through self-identification or through the peer reference system. The results of this research reinforce the importance of public participation in resource management at the private/public interface. Management at this interface is complicated by issues of ownership, power and control, and decision-making originating from various institutions and jurisdictions. Involving communities from the start and allowing them to fully participate in decision-making is seen as a critical step to overcome some of these complications. Furthermore, the creation of a community-based organization as defined by the participants is thought to act as the agency representing community interests through the election of volunteers helps overcome difficulties in obtaining individual commitment. Through interviews, discussions and meetings, this research has assisted with the actual creation of the "Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards Inc.", a community-based-organization for plains bison conservation. |
