Collaboration between researchers and biosphere reserve practitioners: A case study of Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve, Canada

Abstract

Biosphere reserves (BRs) are UNESCO designated sites, established to promote and demonstrate the concept of sustainable development with the help of the local community and directed scientific research. Research is being conducted in and about the BRs, which brings researchers and BR practitioners together in order to achieve mutual goal(s). The challenge is to understand how to achieve effective collaboration. This thesis uses the theory of collaborative management in order to investigate opportunities and challenges faced in a collaborative process. The purpose of the study was to understand how researchers and BR practitioners could collaborate effectively in order to achieve BR objectives. The case study used in this research was Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve, located in Saskatchewan, Canada. Factors of collaboration were identified, based on the literature reviewed and interviews conducted. A qualitative research approach was further used to collect data through the semi-structured interviews with researchers and BR practitioners who worked together under one initiative. Three initiatives that were evaluated represented the functions of a BR – sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and logistic support. This study generated a list of factors of collaboration necessary for the successful collaboration between researchers and BR practitioners. Many factors have already been practiced during the implementation of the initiatives. Yet there is a need to bring awareness about the functioning of BRs to external agencies, in order to strengthen collaborative relationships. Working together throughout the process of implementing the initiative was not obligatory, although being informed about the process and findings was expected by the practitioners and local residents, as a whole. More nuanced understanding of collaboration was realized where effective collaboration depended upon the type of research being undertaken.