Lesson #4: Stewards operate through
collaborative social networks
Environmental collaboration can no longer be described
as top down or bottom up. Stewards collaborate through
polycentric networks with multiple centers or nodes.
Stewardship data shows how networks are structured,
which actors are more or less influential as brokers, and
how information and resources are flowing across part-
ners. For example, NYC stewardship network data identifies
central brokers who disseminate resources and information
to peripheral actors or groups that have limited contact to
the larger network. In this way, stewards often influence
actions of other groups in places that can be far from their
own communities. Understanding groups as part of a larger
system of stewardship, stewards can be linked to land-
scape-scale impacts and outcomes. Also, from stewardship
workshops in Los Angeles we learned that when groups
saw themselves in this networked way, everyone was able
to better reflect and understand the impact of their work.
Environmental collaboration
can no longer be described
as top down or bottom up.
Stewards collaborate through
polycentric networks with
multiple centers or nodes.
24 CityTREES
New Yorkers for Parks have developed accessible tools for residents
to become involved in caring for their neighborhood park.
