Community Natural Resource Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The content and learning process are designed to meet the needs of graduates entering careers in all areas of natural resource management. The subject is presented under seven main headings:

1. philosophy and evolution of participation and community management;
2. models of community management of forests and other natural resources - overseas and in Australia;
3. policy and institutional issues in community management;
4. process and techniques in participatory enquiry, planning and management;
5. issues in Koori community resource management;
6. forms of evaluation in community management programs; and
7. conflict management.

• A 4000 word assignment in a specialist interest area (45%). Due week 12.
• A practical group exercise (30%). Due week 8
• A learning journal (25%). Throughout the semester

Arnold J.E.M. (2001) Forests and People. 25 Years of Community Forestry. FAO, Rome.

Buck, L.E., Geisler, C.C., Schelhas, J. & Wollenberg, E. (eds) (2001) Biological diversity: Balancing interests through adaptive collaborative management. CRC Press, New York.

Chamala, S & Mortiss, P.D. (1990) Working together for Landcare. Group management skills and strategies. Australian Academic Press, Brisbane.

Scoones I. and Thompson J. (1994) (eds) Beyond farmer first: rural people's knowledge, agricultural research and extension practice. Intermediate Technology Publications, UK.

Wilson K. and Morren G. E. B. (1990) Systems approaches for improvement in agriculture and resource management. McMillan, New York.

Woodhill J. and Robins L. (1998) Participatory Evaluation for Landcare and catchment groups. A guide to facilitators. Greening Australia, Yarralumba, ACT.

Borrini-Feyerabend, G., T.M. Farvar, J.C. Nguinguiri, J.C. & V.A. Ndangang (2000) Co-management of natural resources. Organising, negotiating and learning-by-doing. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany.
Leeuwis, C. (2004) Communication for rural innovation: Rethinking agricultural extension. Third Edition. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK.

Petheram, J., P. Stephen, and D. Gilmour (2002), Collaborative Forest Management: A Review, Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Report prepared for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment: Melbourne, Australia.

Chambers, R. (1994) ‘Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): Analysis of Experience’ in World Development, Vol. 22, No. 9, pp. 1253-1268 (available online via library catalogue)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion, students will be able to demonstrate sound understanding of theories underpinning community participation in management, and of processes and techniques of group facilitation, participatory appraisal, planning and collaborative management of resources.