ABSTRACT
Another major factor that will impact the quality of local plans to manage ecological
systems is stakeholder participation. Because ecosystem approaches to management
often extend across different organizations, agencies, and lines of ownership, the
planning process usually necessitates the involvement of multiple and sometimes
competing interests. Furthermore, many local comprehensive planning processes,
such as those in Florida are by mandate required to develop a citizen participation
program as part of their planning process. Who is involved and to what degree will
inevitably influence the outcome of the process: the plan. Often times, the focus
of collaborative environmental initiative is on intergovernmental relations, such as
between various federal agencies or state and local government. But, coordination
at the ecosystem level should incorporate the interests of the broader community
to include non-government organizations, industry, private landholders, and local
citizens. Without including all stakeholders in a framework of collaboration and
joint problem solving, ecosystem management initiatives are bound to have limited
success (Wondolleck and Yaffee, 2000).
