Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
PART I
Participation: Volunteers
Why do people engage in ecological restoration? Is it, as Bill Jordan suggests, to over-
come the shameful and destructive past actions of society; actions that continue to be
reflected in postmodern industrialization? Or is it a land ethic or a sense of civic pride
instilled in some people? Whatever the motive, ecological restoration depends on vol-
unteer efforts and community involvement at every step of planning, implementation,
and management. And, as restoration plays a greater role in conservation efforts, vol-
unteers will fill even more important roles as organizers, designers, workforce, and
monitors. How to make that experience a meaningful one, from both a personal and
an organizational perspective, can be found in the chapters that make up this section
of the participation metatheme.
Marty Lee and Paul Hancock begin the volunteer section by presenting an intro-
ductory chapter that analyzes the attributes of successful restoration and stewardship
volunteer groups, including an examination of indicators that predict an individual's
willingness to volunteer. Following this framework, case studies are presented describ-
ing how communities and organizations engage volunteers in restoration projects.
Kellie Westervelt describes the Cape Florida Project and illustrates how volunteer re-
cruitment can raise the level of restoration performance, increase awareness, generate
financial support, and create long-term land stewardship ethics. In the next case study,
Matthew Fox discusses methods for encouraging effective volunteer contributions in
a time of increasingly complex land management. He details experiences from a west-
ern Australian restoration organization and provides measurable outputs resulting
from volunteer efforts. In the last case study, Allegra Newman examines the ethical as-
sumptions and terms of participation that underlie restoration processes. Focusing on
urban ecological restoration in Toronto, Newman explores issues of access, equity,
and diversity in urban restoration projects. Her findings speak to the tension that exists
between those in power and those seeking to participate.
