Knowledge Mobilization in the Beaver Hills Biosphere, Alberta, Canada | Land Portal
Land Journal Volume 9 Issue 11 cover image

Información del recurso

Date of publication: 
Noviembre 2020
Resource Language: 
ISBN / Resource ID: 
10.3390/land9110424
License of the resource: 
Copyright details: 
© 2020 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article.

This study explores how knowledge was and is mobilized to advance the objectives of the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, located in Alberta, Canada. Established in 2016, a 12-year collaborative effort worked to establish the biosphere reserve and achieve formal UNESCO designation. Subsequent efforts to grow the newly established biosphere reserve have accelerated in recent years. Our study documented how different types of knowledge were accessed, created, curated, and shared between partners during these two time periods. Focus group interviews were conducted with 14 participants, who are affiliated with Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve partner organizations, and revealed the following findings: (1) not all knowledge is equally valued or understood; (2) partnerships are highly valued, and were essential to successful knowledge mobilization, but were stronger among individuals rather than organizations; (3) fear of the loss of autonomy and potential complications due to the establishment of a biosphere reserve slowed the exchange of information and engagement by some regional actors; and (4) knowledge mobilization is and was impeded by staff and agency capacity, finances, and time scarcity. This was further complicated by entrenched norms of practice, existing successful working relationships impeding the development of new partnerships, and embracing alternative forms of knowledge.

Autores y editores

Author(s), editor(s), contributor(s): 

Blye, Clara-Jane
Halpenny, Elizabeth A.
Hvenegaard, Glen T.
Patriquin, Dee

Publisher(s): 

Proveedor de datos

Foco geográfico

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