Cross-boundary Wetland Stewardship in the Greater Rocky Mountain National Park Ecosystem

Researchers at Utah State University studied how to facilitate cross-boundary wetland stewardship, using the greater Rocky Mountain National Park ecosystem as a case study. A total of 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with federal and state agencies, nonprofits, research organizations, and municipalities, as well as an analysis of these organizations’ wetland policies. Interviews consisted of 22 open-ended questions that inquired about the effects of jurisdictional boundaries on wetland ecological processes and conditions, barriers to cooperative wetland management, and the institutional and social contexts in which cross-boundary stewardship efforts operate. The selection of interviewees was based on purposive sampling of participants that work directly on wetland management within the study area. In addition, snowball sampling was used, in which interviewees identified others with special knowledge or experience related to the study questions. Five interviews were conducted in person for participants that were available during field work in July 2019. The remaining interviews were conducted over the phone from August-October 2019. With the consent of interviewees, the interviews were tape-recorded, and notes taken. Interview duration ranged from 30 to 75 minutes. Interviews and field notes were transcribed verbatim. Data analysis involved generating themes from the data by using a systematic, iterative process to of coding in ATLAS.ti, a qualitative analysis computer software program.