Evaluation Sourcebook (.pdf) - School of Natural Resources and ...

ASSETSNatural Resources | Social assets | Political Support | Organizational strengthsPolitical supportFAVORABLE POLICIES, LAWS AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMSLocal, state and federal laws and policies and their implementation may present obstacles tothe achievement of your project’s objectives (see Unfavorable policies, laws or legalprocesses p. 132). At the same time, there may be regulations or economic incentive-basedprograms that can be utilized more effectively to achieve your project’s goals, such as:• Open avenues for participation in decision-making process• Federal or state policies that involve funding for ecosystem management planning,implementation or monitoring• Programs that reward conservation or best management practices, especiallyimportant on private and “working” lands (such as Safe Harbor agreements, PrivateStewardship Grants Program, Landowner Incentive Program, ConservationSecurity Program, etc.)• Zoning laws that support smart growth• Economic cost-benefit analyses that support arguments for engaging in betterstewardship behaviors• Opportunities to integrate economic and environmental benefits (such asEcotourism and Fee-hunting of overabundant species)Identifying these assets and tracking how well your project is using them effectively can bea very valuable measure of progress. Start by figuring out what’s “on the books” andrelevant to your project. Discuss which policies or economic arguments might help yourproject overcome current obstacles to achieving your goals.Sample evaluation questions and indicatorsX Do current zoning laws and ordinances promote conservation? Results of build-out analysis (see Sprawl/unplanned development p. 134)Number of requests to fill wetlands in the past yearNumber of wetlands remediatedIncrease in acreage zoned for conservation purposesNumber of new conservation easements on private propertyNumber of acres of new park land or land under some form of protectionVoting results for local referendums on conservation issuesX To what extent do current laws and policies create incentives for conservation? Profit difference between ecologically sensitive and conventional practicesNumber of local, state, federal grants for smart-growth, brownfielddevelopment projects, etc.Number of DNR programs that combine fee-hunting with controlling overabundantspeciesEcosystem Management Initiative 164