Human-river relationships

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Organizations Relationships

Our research project wanted to delve into the human-river relationships of river and watershed organizations in the Intermountain West. We designed a question based off of previous research and literature to find out how organizations view their relationship to rivers and watersheds and how that view guides the work that is done. During analysis, we quickly learned that the human-river relationships we wanted to explore were very clearly dependent on human-human relationships. Here we dive into the different instances of when human-human relationships were present in other questions as well as the human-river relationship question.

 

Interviewees were shown the graphic to the right and asked how their organization related to rivers. Oftentimes, interviewees often would pick more than one category. A follow up question was asked to see how this relationship would look in the organization's work.

 

Graphic showing the 5 definitions of human-river relationships with a river graphic. Definitions are: Master - People are more important than rivers and can change rivers for their own needs and protect against hazards, Partner - People are partners with rivers and benefit with each other, User - People's wellbeing depends on benefits from a well-functioning river environment, Steward - People have a moral obligation to care for, protect and conserve rivers, and Participant - People are a part of nature and have strong physical and spiritual bonds with rivers.

Graphic shown in interviews when asking them how organizations relate to rivers and watersheds. (Flint et al. 2013; Braito et al. 2018)

 

 Results


Human-River Relationship Type Count
Steward 48
Partner 41
User 32
Participant 17
Master 0*

*4 organization representatives mentioned that there was some truth to all statements, but none singled out as identifying with Master.

 

41 organization representatives selected that their organization fell in 2+ categories. However, steward was the most chosen (alone or in combination) human-river relationship type. One organization said:

"...it's like rooted in our organization, that we have a moral obligation to try and protect our rivers."

A Montana Watershed Organization

 

Partner was the next most common type chosen with an organization saying:

"We depend on the river to survive, more than water to survive, you know, just water in general. And then in turn, you know, we can benefit the river, whether it be just in whatever we're doing, restoration or various improvements along the river and keeping it in good condition."

A Montana Conservation District

 

Human-Human Relationships

Factors Influencing Success

Barchart detailing the factors interviewees mentioned contributing to organizational success. The top entry is Collaboration/Partnerships/Relationships with 127 observations

Organizational representatives, when asked what led to their organizations success, gave a variety of factors. The top three factors listed here are all related to that human-human relationship idea: Collaboration/Partnerships/Relationships - 127, Mutual Community Engagement - 64, and Having Good Board/Members/Volunteers - 56. Other factors include having sufficient funding and resources, having perseverance and trust, as well as many other factors.

 

Recommendations

Barchart showing the recommendations organization representatives mentioned they would give to a new watershed organization. Top 2 entries are collaboration with 51 entries and work with/talk to community/stakeholders with 46 entries.

Organizational representatives also were asked what recommendation(s) they had for new river and watershed organizations that were just getting started. The top two recommendations were again in that human-human relationship category being Collaboration - 51 and Work with/talk to community/stakeholders - 46. Other human-human relationship recommendations were also given like Relationship building - 24 and Communication - 15. *Note that this question was not asked in all interviews, only interviews in CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, and WY

 

Obstacles

Barchart showing obstacles mentioned by organization interviewees that impede organizational progress. Top entry is Funding with 115 observations.

Funding was the number 1 obstacle mentioned by organizational representatives, with 115 mentions. Many human-human relationship obstacles were also mentioned like Organization People - 65, Government/Bureaucracy - 48, and Contention with Water Users - 46.

 

Discussion

Coming soon!