Examining the Specifics approach to identifying indicators of sustainable natural resource management in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia

Natural resource managers, environmental interest groups, and public agenci es need identifiable, measurable indicators of sustainability based on mean ingful fine-scale specifics that are appropriate for both fine and increasi ngly broader social/ecological scales. The "Identify the Specifics" framewo rk, field tested in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, uses colle ctive local expert knowledge to integrate and prioritize social/ecological concerns that become the foundation for both local and increasingly broader -scale indicators of sustainable management. Results to date suggest that: (1)local experts have valuable knowledge to contribute; (2) identified loca l indicators, once reviewed, can contribute to bath local- and broader-scal e indicators; (3) fewer than 10 indicators may provide an adequate foundati on for assessing the sustainability of local range and forest management pr actices; and (4) local and broader-scale experts commonly identify differen t indicators because they have different knowledge bases, priorities, and r esponsibilities. Differences in the indicators identified among experts rep resenting different scales may be minimized if indicators at broader scales are developed with knowledge of specifics from finer scales. The Specifics approach is presently being used across British Columbia to help identify knowledge gaps and related research and extension priorities.