The effectiveness of public/private conservation partnerships as measured by common characteristics of success

Abstract

Conservation partnerships are working throughout the United States to address natural resource problems in watersheds. These projects have levels of complexity that challenge successful accomplishments. This study investigates what constitutes success in watershed partnerships and what measures may define success. Characteristics are identified from a literature search to create a success model. Characteristics of three partnerships led by the U. S. D. A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Districts, and Resource Conservation and Development councils are compared to the model. Analyses address frequencies of occurrence of characteristics and differences between public and private responses. The results do not support the success model. Eight common characteristics of success are found in the case studies. Six of these characteristics are of a qualitative nature indicating a need to include qualitative measures with quantitative measures of success. The development of an effective guide for successful conservation partnerships is based on the eight characteristics.