Learning through collaboration: An investigation of communities of practice in Streamkeepers groups

This thesis is an investigation of communities of practice in environmental stewardship organizations. Research focused on three different sized Streamkeepers groups in British Columbia's Lower Mainland. All three of the groups are considered successful based on their long-term sustainability and adaptable programming. Data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews, and participant observations during group activities. Open- and axial-coding were used to analyze the data through identifying themes and patterns.; The study results show that there are strong indicators of communities of practice that are found in Streamkeepers groups. The analysis, based on a conceptual framework, focuses on: learning, domain, community and practice (communication and boundary). Information that was collected through this research points towards a high-degree of overlap between stewardship ideals and the various elements of communities of practice. These results indicate that watershed managers and planners as well as volunteer coordinators must be aware of how to harness these elements in order to enhance community-based management of natural resources. Recommendations are provided in order to enhance practice for individual stewards, stewardship groups as well as agencies and professionals working with stewardship organizations.