Bitterroot Valley Appreciative Inquiry
Summary
Citizens, elected officials and government employees came together for an Appreciative Inquiry process in a region devastated by wildfires and facing extreme population growth.
Project Description
In the summer of 2000, 356,000 acres of the Bitterroot National Forest and its neighboring communities were ravaged by wildfires. An additional catalyst for conversation was the County’s 44% rate of population growth between 1990 and 2000 and the subsequent 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 Bitterroot Valley,” in which citizens gathered to identify and discuss what people value most about life in the Bitterroot area (officially Ravalli County)—past and present. These common values provided a starting point from which to envision a positive future.
Focus Areas
- Community character
- Community/Economic development
- Conservation/Natural resources
- Economic development
- Livability
- Visioning
Project Partners
- Chris Love Assiciates, LLC
Project Goals
- Formulate a collaborative vision for how State and private forestry services along with public and private land owners could move forward, together.
- Undertake an Appreciative Inquiry process to identify and discuss what community-members value most about life in the Bitterroot area.
- Develop a comprehensive plan for population growth, transportation and communications infrastructure development, real estate development and a changing economy while simultaneously protecting and managing natural resources.
Process and Methods
Instead of asking participants to explore “What is wrong with this Valley, and how can we fix it?” the Appreciative Inquiry 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?” The participant’s journey through 4-Is of appreciative inquiry (Inquire, Imagine, Innovate, and Implement) included conversations with other participants, story-sharing, flip-charts of common values and brainstorming sessions.
Key Stakeholders and Participants
- Process planners wanted to involve a diverse cross-section of the community in the process with representatives of different ages, interests, perspectives and locations including:
- Ranchers and Farmers
- Educators
- Artists
- Business People
- Seniors
- High School Students
- Civic and Local Government Leaders
- Church Leaders
- Natural Resource Specialists
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.
- Participants 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.
- 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.
Costs and Resources
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.
Associated Costs
- Consulting and Technical Assistance
- Facilitation
- Project Management
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