Communicating Ecosystem Services Using Collaborative Learning and Mental Models Christine Feurt Ph. D. Director, Center for Sustainable Communities University of New England, Biddeford, Maine Director, Coastal Training Program Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Wells, Maine Membership Meeting Washington, D.C. September 23, 2015

“ A framework and set of techniques intended for multiparty decision situations… A means of designing and implementing a series of events to promote: Creative thought, Constructive debate and the Effective implementation of proposals that the stakeholders generate.” Theoretical Grounding: Systems Thinking, Conflict Resolution, Adult Learning Working Through Environmental Conflict The Collaborative Learning Approach By Steven E. Daniels and Gregg B. Walker (2001) Collaborative Learning Offers a Robust Framework for Designing Communications to Sustain Ecosystem Services Chris Feurt’s 20 page practitioners guide

It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so. Mark Twain Mental Models

The traditional “Delivery” Mental Model of Communication to Foster Change Water is Threatened Coastal Trainers Provide Science-based Knowledge Municipal Decisions Contribute to Threats to Water Municipal Actions with Outcomes for Protecting Water Public WorksCode OfficerPlanning Board ?

Mental Models are a Double Edged Sword Mental models are a simplified representation of the world used by people to interpret observations, infer from what is known to unknown and solve problems. Mental models are implicit and operate below the level of consciousness. Mental models that are shared within a culture or social group are cultural models. People organize their culture’s beliefs and values with cultural models. They facilitate within group communication but can act as barriers to inter- group communication.

Three Mental Models to Guide Communication about Ecosystem Services

Understanding Stakeholders is Fundamental

"Americans think the opposite of speaking is waiting to speak"

What I learned from listening to water managers in southern Maine  Why is water important?  What are threats to water?  What can be done to protect water?

Water Ecosystem Services Are Valued

The Kaleidoscope of Expertise Multiple lenses of professional practice with a core of shared values = Collaborative Potential Citizen & Business Watershed Stewardship Regulations, Ordinances & Enforcement Engineering & Public Works Planning & Land Use Management Education & Community Outreach Science: Water Research & Monitoring Drinking/Source Water Protection Land Conservation CLEAN WATER FOR: Our Children’s Future Economic Development Public Health & Safety Farming, Fishing, Recreation Wildlife & Wildlife Habitat Property Values

7 Ways of Knowing A Knowledge Resource for Collaborative Learning Governance (GOV) Science (SCI) Local (LOC) Ecological (ECO) Educational Practices (EDU) Technological (TEC) Land Use (LAN) Knowledge

Multiple Ways of Knowing are activated in dialogues to create shared meanings Town Planner Scientist Ecological Knowledge Public Works Director Educational Practices Knowledge Science Knowledge Local Knowledge Governance Knowledge Land Use Knowledge Technological Knowledge Local Knowledge

Understanding the system transforms the traditional “Delivery” Mental Model of Education/Outreach/Communication Water is Threatened Coastal Trainers Provide Science-based Knowledge Municipal Decisions Contribute to Threats to Water Municipal Actions with Outcomes for Protecting Water Public WorksCode OfficerPlanning Board ?

Collaborative Learning designs events to engage the Kaleidoscope of Expertise as a Resource not a Receptacle ECO Water is Threatened Water is Valued SCI LAN TEC GOV EDU LOC Planning & Land Use Land Conservation Drinking H2O Research & Monitoring Education & Outreach Regs & Enforcement Engineering & Public Safety Citizen Stewardship Water is Protected

APPLICATION TO POLICY AND MANAGEMENT Best Management Practices Adaptation Plans Habitat Restoration PRODUCTS OF SCIENCE Data Models Ecosystem Assessments GIS Databases Collaborative learning provides a bridge connecting the “products” of science and the “work” of policy & management 16 Collaborative Learning Applying Social Science Tools Stakeholder Analysis Institutional Analysis Cultural Analysis Collaborative Learning Perceptual Barriers Institutional Barriers Disciplinary Barriers

Collaborative Learning focuses on the Social Landscape That influences the Biophysical Landscape

We’re All in the Same Boat

Collaborative Learning Trainings Developed for Practitioners Working Together to Get Things Done Trainings delivered nationwide to NERRS Graduate Research Seminars Undergraduate Courses Qualitative Research Methods Course Webinar Archived on Wells NERR website Communicating Ecosystem Services ACES Conference December 2014 Bridging the Gulfs Two-day Stakeholder Engagement training:

To Learn More about Ecosystem Services Collaborative Learning Projects Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program National Estuarine Research Reserve Association Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative University of New England Center for Sustainable Communities Saco River Estuary Project wellsreserve.org/sacowellsreserve.org/saco Collaborative Learning Guide and Training Workbook

“Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good inflammable stuff, it will catch fire.” Rachel Carson