Key Principles of Community-Based Natural Resource Management: A Synthesis and Interpretation of Identified Effective Approaches for Managing the Commons

Abstract

"This article examines recent research on approaches to community-based environmental and natural resource management and reviews the commonalities and differences between these interdisciplinary and multi- stakeholder initiatives. To identify the most effective characteristics of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) I collected a multiplicity of perspectives from research teams and then grouped findings into a matrix of 'Organizational Principles' and 'Key Characteristics.' This matrix was then given an initial vetting (or 'field test') by applying numerous case studies that were previously submitted to the World Bank International Workshop on Community-Based Natural Resource Management. These practitioner case studies were then compared and contrasted with the findings of the research teams. It is hoped that the developed matrix may be useful to researchers, to further focus research to understand core characteristics of effective and sustainable CBNRM, to provide practitioners a framework for developing new CBNRM initiatives for managing the commons, and to provide a potential resource for academic institutions during their evaluation of their practitioner focused environmental management and leadership curriculum."