Conservation through connection: Approaches to engaging communities in applied grizzly bear research

Abstract

Human-wildlife dynamics is a growing field and one of considerable importance to conservation. Wild spaces are in short supply, and consequently wildlife and people increasingly share the landscape, though not necessarily by choice. As a result, peoples’ needs might not be prioritized over those of wildlife, even in cases of human-wildlife conflict. For wildlife conservation to be effective and human-wildlife coexistence possible, the needs of both wildlife and people must be simultaneously addressed. Rather than an afterthought or a sentence in the conservation/management implications section of a paper, community engagement should be addressed before, during, and after a research project. However, this can be a difficult and often complicated task, for multiple reasons. Building relationships founded on trust, respect and reciprocity with community members takes commitment, time, skill, and a willingness by researchers to be open-minded in terms of methodologies and new ideas. Different cultural norms, beliefs, perspectives and biases can further exacerbate these challenges. Here, we share three short case studies reflecting our own research experiences engaging with communities in the field of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) ecology and conservation science. We conclude with guidelines for advancing effective community engagement and suggestions for tackling some common barriers. Overall, we offer considerations for a practical and more holistic approach to large carnivore conservation, established on a foundation of strong community support.

Using community science to advance grizzly bear conservation

“…Another advantage of GrizzTracker was engaging the public in an active and meaningful way, which is an important factor in the success of community science and government-directed conservation programs (Newman et al 2012;Ceccaroni et al 2019). When asked why community scientists chose to participate in GrizzTracker, we found it was because our program provided an intriguing opportunity to contribute to grizzly bear science and land management decisions, similar to other research exploring community science (Bonney et al 2009;Wright et al 2015;Bloom and Crowder 2020;Hughes et al 2022aHughes et al , 2022b. We also found that community scientists were motivated to recruit their friends, family, or colleagues, further suggesting that GrizzTracker presented a unique and interesting engagement opportunity.…”

“…However, we do note a critical gap in our engagement efforts, including a lack of Indigenous community scientists as well as agricultural landowners, as noted in Hughes et al (2022a). We therefore suggest that others interested in pursuing community science projects would be well served to carefully consider the value of adopting multiple forms of engagement and educational strategies, seeking out formal and informal collaborations with various individuals and groups, and carefully consider and plan for an inclusive program to help achieve a project's intended outcomes (Hughes et al 2022a(Hughes et al , 2022b.…”

“…This can be an effective strategy to develop the public's scientific literacy and develop skills related to, in this case, grizzly bear biology, safety, and conflict mitigation, as well as foster a stewardship ethic for grizzly bear conservation and management ( Kollmuss and Agyeman 2002;Clayton and Myers 2015;Phillips et al 2019;Alberta Environment and Parks 2020;Hughes et al 2022a). Community engagement in scientific initiatives, including those led by government agencies, can help increase public trust in state-led decisionmaking by increasing and improving transparency in reporting outcomes, as well as making data collection more efficient, and supporting data analysis procedures (McKinley et al 2017;Government of Alberta 2020;Hughes et al 2022b). These positive outcomes can also extend beyond the active participants in community science, to their broader social networks through information sharing and recruitment in science activities (Cosquer et al 2012).…”

“…That said, there is acknowledgement that establishing and improving public engagement is a vital component to the long-term conservation of grizzly bears (Gibeau 2012;Proctor et al 2018;Hughes et al 2020Hughes et al , 2021. Indeed, the people who live, work, and recreate across BMA 1 play a crucial role in the long-term survival and sustainability of grizzly bears (Hughes et al 2022b). Specifically, local people can share their first-hand observa-FACETS Downloaded from www.facetsjournal.com by 44.224.250.200 on 06/01/24 tions of grizzly bears, which can offer insights into bear distribution, behavior, and population (Clark et al 2014;Hughes and Nielsen 2019;Morehouse et al 2020).…”

“…This can include educational information on the best available science and research related to grizzly bears, as well as how to stay safe in bear country. Offering opportunities to share and learn can help nurture an ethic of care for grizzly bears, which in turn can aid in the adoption and implementation of grizzly bear recovery efforts (Toomey et al 2020;Hughes et al 2022aHughes et al , 2022b.…”