Managing wicked natural resource problems: The collaborative challenge at regional scales in Australia

Collaborative processes have become instruments of choice in many programs of natural resource management (NRM) internationally. Collaborative approaches to wicked NRM problems appear attractive, given the difficulty of the issues, the wide range of stakeholders, and the dispersed responsibilities for NRM. This study of Australia's use of collaboration to tackle wicked NRM problems at regional scales examines four diverse case studies. We analyse and contrast the challenges of specific wicked problems, the historical emergence of collaborative forms, and the benefits and challenges encountered within each of four large regions. In addition to specific organizational and financial difficulties within each collaborative arrangement, we found several common challenges (and opportunities) over relatively long timeframes. These included: managing the intersection of diverse competing interests and mandates; navigating significant issues despite uncertain knowledge; maintaining focus and effort over long periods; building local and regional momentum and continuity while adjusting to policy changes at other levels of governance; recognizing opportunities for collaboration and adaptive change; and generating collaborative platforms for linking science-policy-community leadership. We reflect on what can be learned by comparing diverse attempts at the regional scale to utilize collaboration as an instrument for managing wicked socio-ecological policy problems over long timeframes.