Practical Steps to Implement an Ecosystem Approach in Great Lakes Management


Table 11

Internal and external activities for federal, state, and provincial agencies to better understand and use an ecosystem approach.

Activity Examples of Application
Internal: education and human resource development
  • Empower employees/agencies to develop sensitivity to ecosystem approach
  • Using model, train existing employees to use ecosystem approach
  • Bring outside experts (credibility) to help staff implement model
  • Hire new staff with sensitivity/training in ecosystem approach
  • Work with universities to establish new career direction
  • Provide mentoring opportunities
  • Reinforce ecosystem ethic with "buddy systems" that cross program areas
  • Encourage joint projects with shareholders
  • Utilize team building activities tied to environment
  • Encourage joint outdoor activities between agencies and stakeholders
  • Conduct binational workshops on ecosystem approach to gain better understanding of frameworks, approaches, and cultural differences
  • Hold internal training workshops that allow employees to express what they already know, discover own biases, and learn from others and self about systemic barriers to ecosystem approach; use this process to empower key internal people who will in turn lead the education/outreach activities within the organization to gain senior management endorsement
External: how decision-makers can use an ecosystem approach to establish a stewardship ethic among stakeholders
  • Provide simple, clear, interesting, and accessible information (written materials, audio-visual materials, theater, displays)
  • Provide training on: "big picture" ecosystem approach; specifics of economic development, pollutant sources, habitat, etc.
  • Conduct meaningful public participation (create roundtables, advisory groups, town hall forums, problem solving workshops, etc.)
  • Serve as a network facilitator/coordinator (establish an information clearinghouse, identify facilitators and resource persons, link success stories, help people get resources, set up and run a computerized mailing list and bulletin board)
  • Build stewardship programs (support existing programs, provide guidance and expertise, provide watershed umbrella organization)
  • Reach out effectively through media (celebrate successes)
  • Support formal education programs (speakers' bureau, teach the teachers, work with universities, establish internship programs, link school programs to decision-makers)


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