Community-based conservation planning in the Blanco River watershed of Texas. Halstead, Lacey^*,1, Jester, Stephen¹, ¹ The Nature Conservancy, San Antonio, TX, USA

ABSTRACT- The ecological processes that sustain rangelands occur at a landscape scale, and rangeland conservation and management are most effectively applied at the same scale. Undertaking resource management at this scale requires collaboration among multiple land managers, many of whom invariably have differing goals and values. Successful resource management in this environment requires effectively exploring and addressing stakeholders′ values, perceptions, and desires –something much easier said than done. The Nature Conservancy of Texas has been testing a community-based planning methodology developed by the Conservancys Indonesia Program which is designed to 1) be used with laypersons and scientists and 2) accommodate both ecological and socio-cultural needs. This methodology has proven effective in engaging a broad audience in creation of a jointly-owned, scientifically and culturally holistic management plan. The first test of this methodology in Texas occurred in the Blanco River watershed, in central Texas. This area encompasses formerly agricultural towns that now function largely as bedroom communities for San Antonio and Austin, and more rural areas, where residents rely partly or wholly on agriculture for their livelihood. Interests and backgrounds of stakeholders are widely divergent, and finding common ground a challenge. This methodology helped provide an initial forum for sharing ideas and was key to laying a foundation of trust and respect that will be necessary for future collaborative work. It also helped us produce a valuable implementation plan that was agreeable to, and clearly understood by local stakeholders. We will describe the process used and lessons learned in this effort.

KEY WORDS: community, planning, conservation