Participatory Action Research
The Chilcotin Ark is a region of high ecological value on an international scale due to its high biodiversity and interconnectedness. We conduct participatory action research to look after this unique environment.
We understand and recognize the value of this ecosystem for the wildlife, plants and people that call it home or use it. It is the place we call home and which provides us with everything we need. So, we are appreciative for this natural world that provides us with everything we need.
Being appreciative means to be responsible to look after the resource we are benefiting from. We need to reciprocate. In her book “Braiding Sweetgras”, Robin Wall Kimmerer defines reciprocity: “Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken. Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever. “ That is, why it is so important for us to act as stewards of the Chilcotin Ark. Our approach for taking responsibility and to reciprocate is through conducting participatory action research.
Our conservation work
Our conservation work is based on a working landscape concept. This is an approach to managing land and natural environments that balance social, economic and ecological needs. All land users are responsible members of the natural ecosystem. So, every land user has the responsibility to sustain the environment into the future. By conducting participatory action research, we do more than just research. We act.
There is an overwhelming amount of research done nowadays. But the action that should follow is often times missing. Research is kept in a jargon that people from outside the field cannot relate to. Eventually, the research report ends up in a shelf and gets covered in dust. The researcher’s ego benefits as others will cite them. But, as already seen in the name, participatory action research means to focus on the action.
Participatory action research
Participatory action research is used as a tool to understand problems. But more importantly, to take action for solving them. It is important to do research. This way we gain knowledge and can make informed actions. But the action part is what makes this research approach more impactful. And knowledge is also created through the action. It is a dynamic process in which research findings will emerge as the action develops. As part of participatory action research, we are constantly putting our knowledge into action. At the same time, we generate new knowledge through our actions.
So, how does that look in our day to day life?
For example, during our guiding season we are out in the backcountry and document all the wildlife we see in our wildlife sighting forms. We have a database with over 30 years of data, which we can access to understand changes in population numbers. If we see a decline, that is not the end of our research, but the start of our action. We go and identify the habitat changes.
This could be, for example, new logging roads or increased helicopter use. First, we reach out to the companies who are responsible for those changes to inform them about the changes. We also file referral responses and violation reports to hold everyone accountable and to educate the public about those changes and the impact these changes have on wildlife.
Stakeholder collaboration
So, instead of just delivering a research report, the results of our participatory action research lead to action. They trigger stakeholder engagement, actions and communal commitment to change in land-use practices. It is important to include all stakeholders and have them participate and take responsibility. Collaboratively, stakeholders can work towards a common purpose. As a result, stakeholders are more invested in the conservation of their natural resource. Eventually they take initiative themselves. Therefore, it is very important to educate the public as many people are not aware of the ecosystems and the need for conservation.
We share knowledge about the ecosystem, area and conservation with everyone who visits us. This is a collective learning process. All the different land users and stakeholders are involved and empowered to take action. They can take responsibility for sustaining the environment they are benefiting from. Be it the federal, provincial and regional government, First Nations, land owners, farmers, ranchers, guide outfitters, tourism operators, forestry, mining or tourists. Participatory action research only works when you get outside the researcher cycle and have stakeholder participation.
Play your role
Everyone who comes and joins us as a guest or staff is empowered to participate. A great opportunity to implement and contributeto conservation projects that make a real-world difference long into the future. Reflecting on those contributions allows us to conduct more participatory action research which lead to collective actions. This way, we advance the conservation and preservation of the unique Chilcotin Ark now and into the future.
