RAVALLI COUNTY MONTANA, 2000-2001
Project Description
In the summer of 2000, the Bitter Root National Forest and its neighboring communities were ravaged by wildfires; 356,000 acres of federal, state, and private lands burned. An additional catalyst for the conversation was the County’s 44 percent rate of population growth during the last decade and consequent heated public dialogue on protecting and managing natural resources, developing transportation and communications infrastructure, comprehensive growth planning, real estate development, and a changing economy.
Faced with this devastation, State and private forestry operations began liaisons with public and private landowners of all sizes. Their goal was to formulate a collaborative vision for how to move forward, together. To this end, an appreciative inquiry process was undertaken, entitled “Creating the Future We Want for the Bitter Root Valley,” in which citizens gathered to identify and discuss what people value most about life in the Bitter Root area (officially Ravalli County)—past and present. These common values provided a starting point from which to envision a positive future.
Finance and Support
To appeal to a diverse audience, planners limited sponsorship to three organizations viewed by the community as both “apolitical” and noncommercial. Most of the support was in-kind, though the organizations also provided the funding that was needed. Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development Project (RC&D) provided planning, facilitation, clerical and office support, and meeting resources. Hamilton Public Schools provided meeting space, logistical support, and meal preparation for the main community meeting. Kids First provided planning support, music, communications materials, and a photographic record of the day. ‘Appreciative inquiry’ expertise was provided by Chris Love Associates, LLC from Corvallis, MT. Other organizations and community groups provided additional support for the major event.
Stakeholders
Process planners wanted to involve a diverse cross-section of the community in the process, with representatives of different ages, interests, perspectives and locations. They developed a “grid” of interests from each community. Using written invitations and follow-up postcards, telephone calls and personal visits, they reached almost 400 ranchers and farmers, educators, artists, business people, seniors, high school students, civic and local government leaders, church leaders, natural resource specialists, and a number of “just plain folks.” To encourage the general public to attend, a publicity campaign—posters, newspaper, television and radio interviews, and advertising—began a month in advance. To make it easier for young parents to attend, day care was also offered.
Methods
Instead of asking participants to explore “What is wrong with this Valley, and how can we fix it?” the AI facilitator invited 130 workshop attendees to, consider together “What are we doing right around here, and how can we do more of it in the future?” This was accomplished by posing the following questions:
- Describe a “peak experience” you’ve had with friends or family here that makes you think, “Yes! This is why I live in the Bitter Root Valley.” Why do you remember this particular experience?
- Describe something you have done or would like to do for your community (town, church, friends, the whole Valley, etc.) in a large or small way. Don’t be modest! How did or could your community encourage you to contribute your gifts and talents?
- What are two or three of the Bitter Root Valley’s most important qualities or “assets” that you believe will help create the most vital future for all of us? They can be qualities that have been here all along or ones that are just “sprouting” here.
- Imagine it is the year 2011. You have the power to see the entire Valley and everything that is happening. You see that three wishes you have for the Valley’s future have come true. What are they, and how do you see that they have come true?
The participant’s journey through 4-Is of appreciative inquiry (see Appreciative Inquiry in Housing Case Study)—included: one-on-one conversations with other participants; story-sharing; flip-charts of common values, assets, and wishes; a visual record of a community ‘dream’ represented by a picture, advertisement, poem, song or story; brainstorming of desired outcomes and ways of achieving them; an open mic session; and evaluations.
Outcomes
The day-long conversation with stakeholders resulted in a list of common values and assets for the Valley’s future, along with a “Wish List” going forward. The most important features were nearly all values, like community involvement, caring people, and a healthy environment. The workshop combined people in different types of groups throughout the day—small discussion groups, pairs for storytelling exercises, and large group discussions. Participants also created individual “dream illustrations” that defined their personal dreams for the future of the Valley, with rural character, education, and economy topping the list of recurring themes. A “Circle of Dreams Walk” enabled participants to explore others’ dreams and discuss their ideas with the other participants. After the walk, each participant could place post-it notes on the dreams that he or she supported. Finally, a large-group open mic session offered participants a chance to share their closing thoughts and talk about where they would like to go in the future.
Conversations
among citizens revealed numerous shared values and assets. Image:
Creating the Future We Want Project,
Evaluation
Participants completed written evaluations at the end of the community meeting.
Innovative Ideas
When all the ‘dream’ visuals were completed and posted in an adjoining hallway, participants were invited to “take a walk in the Circle of Dreams,” observing them all and noting both common themes and any specific ideas that excited them. Participants were given colored “post-it” notes to place their names on dreams that they would like to support moving forward.
BITTER ROOT VALLEY AT A GLANCE
COMMUNITY TYPE
Rural
AREA
2,400 square miles
POPULATION
36,070 (2000 census)
LOCATION
Western Montana
PROCESS
Appreciative Inquiry
PROJECT LEADERS
Bitter Root National Forest
Bitter Root RC&D
Hamilton Public Schools
Kids First
Chris Love Associates, LLC
PROJECT THEMES
Population Growth
Public Land Management
Development