Identification and application of the components of meaningful public participation in forest management

Public participation is a central principal of sustainable forest management and is increasingly seen as an important method for facilitating fair and effective decision-making in forest management. Public participation is rapidly moving from a policy goal to a legal requirement in forest management in Canada. However, achieving meaningful participation continues to be a challenge. There is a growing body of research that is attempting to uncover and define what elements make public participation processes effective. This study builds upon this research by examining what makes a participation process meaningful and investigating the potential for implementing more meaningful public participation in forest management. To achieve this, the specific objectives of this study are: (1) to establish the key components of meaningful public participation; (2) to investigate current approaches to public participation in forest management planning; (3) to consider levels of satisfaction with current participatory approaches within Manitoba's Mountain Forest Region by examining current practice in light of the components of meaningful public participation; and (4) to develop recommendations for public participation in forest management. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...