The influence of community-based watershed monitoring groups on decision-making in Nova Scotia, Canada

Community-based watershed monitoring groups in Nova Scotia have faced challenges in contributing meaningfully to the management of their watersheds and accessing an integrated decision-making structure (Sharpe and Conrad, 2006). Twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted with leaders of community-based groups and decision-makers to determine the factors that affect the influence of community-based watershed monitoring groups on decision-making. The findings revealed three impediments to community groups' ability to influence decision-making: effectiveness in information delivery by community groups to decision-makers; uncertainty of community groups about the type of information needed by decision-makers; and lack of management frameworks within government to incorporate community-based monitoring information. Watershed partnerships were examined as potential management approaches to overcome these impediments. Examinations of the positive and negative aspects of watershed partnerships in Nova Scotia reveal four necessary components for partnerships' success: sufficient drive from all partnership participants; involvement of all relevant stakeholders; engagement of local communities and financial support.