Defining Your Project - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 35

Explanation of Steps in the Project Definition
All projects begin with a need. In the case of ecological restoration projects, the need is to
return ecological processes to a site. The process of developing a viable ecological resto-
ration project begins with the problem statement that identifies the concerns. Following the
problem statement, a mission statement is developed and begins the process of focusing on
a project that will eliminate the perturbations on the site and restore missing elements. Next,
data (chapter 4) are collected to understand the site and develop a series of goals that focus on
achieving the stated mission of the project. The goals form the basis for developing objective
statements, which are followed by actions. Objective statements are specific, and actions are
very specific.
Project requirements can be formulated from the prior steps and become the basis of future
project development actions. A scope statement can be developed to serve as a guide for the
restoration team and inform others about the parameters of the restoration effort. A scope state-
ment includes more than just the goals, objectives, and project requirements but also the project
schedule and budget. Agreement on these elements by the various stakeholders is highly desirable.
However, as discussed in chapter 2, project stakeholders have varying degrees of involvement.
Depending on the project, site, and resources involved, some stakeholders are advisory and some
have legal or fiscal involvement. Sponsors of the project, typically, the entity that is funding the
work, will want to be confident that the reasons for their involvement are satisfied by the resto-
ration work to be performed.
Problem Statements
All restoration projects should begin with identifying the concerns related to the ecological health
of a specific site. This statement of concern for a site can be written initially by a concerned in-
dividual, committee, or organization. Frequently, citizens will form groups to initiate action for
correcting the degradation of a site. This group may approach a governmental body to have some
action taken. This initial group develops a statement of the problems and identifies deficiencies
at the site to inform the decision makers so that they recognize the need for action. Problem state-
ments are clarifications of concerns as to how they relate to a specific resource value or set of values
(e.g., eroding stream banks or lack of riparian habitat for birds).
Here is a sample problem statement: “The current density of invasive vegetation in riparian
vegetation and barriers along Kaskaskia Creek has resulted in low populations of riparian-depen-
dent wildlife species, especially birds.”
Mission Statements
A mission statement is a concise statement clarifying the special task a group is to perform or the
purpose for which an organization has been created. A mission statement is visionary, relatively
general, and brief. Some restoration projects are just one component of a larger program for