Category Archives: Research

Methodology
Following our theoretical framework in stakeholder analysis, we have explored the management of other community-based development projects. There are examples of existing access management plans created by regions and communities such as the Whistler Community Forest, the Wezin’kwa Community Forest and the Smithers Mountain Bike Association.

While the community forest has identified their different stakeholders, there is a pressing need for better management of the different land-uses. Creating an access management plan will require the consideration of the private land tenures and uses of the stakeholders as well as the intentions held by the city of Williams Lake. In our research, we are working with stakeholders individually and collectively. Our research aims to consider and listen to all the voices of the people who share an interest in the management of the forest. With all the gathered knowledge and data from the community, the community forest requires that we create an updated map which displays current uses, trails and roads within the community forest. This visualization will also allow us to consider environmental assessment of the forest and identify conflicts of interests. It will also allow us to make recommendations that will allow for mutual benefit for different stakeholders. We hope to utilize an asset-based community development approach in formulating our recommendation.

Data Collection and Tools
Interviews
Individual interviews will be conducted with stakeholders through phone and Skype calls. These stakeholders include but are not limited to members of the board of directors, members of the standing committee, ranchers, residents, city councilors, mountain bikers, and other recreational users. With each group of stakeholders, we have created a standardized set of questions in order to ensure a fair and equal discussion. While we have included a closed fixed response of our interviews, we will also allow for flexibility and informal conservations, and be open to listen to their stories. Through these conservations, we hope to build a better understanding of their experiences and work in the community forest. We will be taking notes during these interviews and transcribing the notes at the end of each interview. As researchers, we have the responsibility to not represent what these stakeholders have communicated to us and ask for clarification when we do not have a clear understanding of their concerns.

Participant Mapping
To gather relevant data for the mountain biking trails, we will ask members of the bike community in Williams Lake to record the trails they take with their bikes using apps they are already familiar with, such as TrailFork. We will use the GPS data and convert this data into files we can use when we map our maps. However, we have also considered that this method of gathering data may be unreliable. From listening to other stakeholders, many bikers who take unofficial trails may not want this information to be known as these trails may be taken out. Additionally, bikers are regularly creating new trails during their trips and have only shared the location of these trails with their friends. The data we gather through this participant mapping may be limited and it may be a challenge to gather the missing information. However, it is important to other stakeholders, including the city of Williams Lake to have the information of trail usage in order to ensure safety regulation in the access management of the community forest.

Participant Observation
During our trip, we have also been invited to see the community forest and the different roads and trails that our stakeholders have identified as problematic or needs attention. This more intimate experience with the community forest will give us the opportunity to experience and understand the different values the community forest holds for it stakeholders. Our trip will be led by members of the board of directors and residents of the community.

Data Analysis
ArcGIS
With the gathered data from interviews as well as spatial information provided by the Alex Fraser Research Forest, we will compile spatial layers of land and trail uses to create an updated map of the community forest. Using ARCGIS, we will be able to create detailed maps and diagrams that help to analysis the stakeholders uses and environmental assessment of the community forest. These maps and diagrams will be included in our final report and recommendations for the community forest. We hope that different stakeholders will see their interest taken into consideration in the map. The map can be a powerful tool the community can use to illustrate the more urgent needs that need to be addressed to its members as well as the city of Williams Lake.