Pennsylvania-specific recommendations for how municipal environmental advisory councils can be effective.
Theme: Public Participation 
How participation in environmental decision-making contributes to measurable change
Findings Navigation: Browse by Audience; Browse by Theme; Browse by Best Education Practice; Browse by multiple topics
Newton, B. J. (2001) Finding 6
Give the audience an opportunity to provide input into the process to better assure that they will allow local leaders to make decisions for them. Continue reading →
Asakawa, S., Yoshida, K., & Yabe, K. (2004) Finding 2
When involving the public in green space planning: use survey responses to group residents according to their interest in recreation, in planning participation, or no interest.
- Develop participation programs suited to each group’s unique characteristics.
Curtis, A., Byron, I., & MacKay, J. (2005) Finding 1
To effectively engage watershed partners and major stakeholders to investigate: landowner issues, awareness of environmental management problems, business development intentions, and potential impact of incentives.
- Enhance public participation by using a 9 or 10 month process that draws on local knowledge, builds commitment to the research, and builds capacity to interpret and implement key findings.
Curtis, A., Byron, I., & MacKay, J. (2005) Finding 2
To enhance participatory decision-making, build commitment to research by engaging watershed partners and major stakeholders in answering questions such as: a) what information is needed?; b) how is the information to be collected and analyzed?; c) Who has access to the data and on what conditions?; d) How will the data be used to improve watershed management outcomes?
Dakins, M. E., Long, J. D., & Hart, M. (2005) Finding 2
How a watershed group is formed may influence its effectiveness.
- Citizen initiated groups give themselves a high rating on addressing difficult or controversial issues.
- Government initiated groups give themselves a high rating on receiving assistance during formation.
- Groups whose membership has been restricted in some way (e.g. property owners only, instead of all interested parties), give themselves a low rating on involving key decision-making groups, timeliness in addressing issues, and overall effectiveness.
McCowan, L. & M. Smolen. (2004) Finding 7
Support stakeholder groups, especially those with similar missions and those that already have a relationship with the target audience. Continue reading →
Duram, L. A. and K. G. Brown (1999) Finding 4
Public participation is used most effectively when working to identify watershed plan goals Continue reading →
Curtis, A., & DeLacy, T. (1995) Finding 3
Create opportunities to build landowner participation in the activities of landowner groups. Continue reading →
Duram, L. A. and K. G. Brown (1999) Finding 3
Use participatory, watershed-based planning as an effective technique for building public awareness and interagency coordination. Continue reading →
