Types of knowledge organizations use
We wanted to know what kind of knowledge organizations were drawing upon for their work. Organizational representatives were asked to pick and describe the types of knowledge related to rivers and watersheds that they use in their work. We found that river and watershed organizations rely on integration of various types of knowledge for their work.
“It’s definitely a combination. Yeah, so essentially … I’m our scientist on board and so we use science a lot to inform our decisions … and …we need the local residents and their knowledge and experience to sort of support us… And then also we’re working a lot with professionals who are advising us and giving us policy ideas as well as working with professionals that oppose us as well. I think it’s really important that the community supports you, and you listen to their local knowledge, we have a lot of tribes locally for example that give us a lot of support information, but you also need scientific. I don’t think one ever comes without the other in a well-rounded organization.”
Results
A combination of local, professional & scientific knowledge made up for 73% of responses, with other combinations and single knowledge types being much less.
Knowledge Type Examples
The following table describes how some of the organizations we spoke with describe these three types of knowledge.
| Scientific Knowledge | Professional Knowledge | Local Knowledge |
|---|---|---|
| Modelling | State and federal agencies | Residents, community perspectives |
| Analyzing and verifying data | Advising and management | Landowners & agriculture producers |
| Experts with technological and scientific background and degrees | Attorneys | Tribal perspectives |
| Ecological Surveys | Local contractors & consultants | Volunteers & board members |
| Consultants on hydrology, etc. | Other organizations | Myths & legends |
| Monitoring and mapping | Local guides | Past experiences & observations |