Building Trust: A guide for agencies working with producers to reduce wildlife conflicts

Wildlife conflict on working lands can strain relationships between livestock producers and wildlife agencies, making trust crucial for conflict resolution and effective resource management. These recommendations, based on input from producers, agency staff, and experts across the western U.S., aim to help agencies and other groups build trust with producers while managing wildlife conflict. Recommendations are organized for agency field staff and leadership, but are relevant across roles.

Additional Resources for Building Trust

Producer Tool Kit - A road map to place-based collaboration for conflict reduction

A Guidebook to Human-Carnivore Conflict: Strategies and Tips for Effective Communication and Collaboration with Communities

Replenishing Trust: Civil Society’s Guide to Reversing the Trust Deficit

Partnership and Community Collaboration Academy

Udall Foundation National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution

Fundamentals of Western Conservation Leadership course through the Western Conservation Leadership Development Program

Rebecca Jefferson’s Essentials of conservation social science 1-day online course