The Department of Conservation highly values the involvement and engagement of Californians. DOC supports an educated, aware, and engaged public and promotes understanding of its work in the fields of watershed, carbon, and hazard management, as well as economic development. We continually strive to improve public participation practices that align with our engagement principles which are detailed below.
Public Engagement Principles
The following best practices guide our work:
Planning and Preparation
Effective meetings result from clear goals, thoughtful design, and organization.
Inclusion and Diversity
All voices, ideas, and information, regardless of background, will be considered when designing paths to desired outcomes.
Openness and Learning
We encourage individuals to listen to one another when exploring new ideas and topics.
Engagement and Participation
We aim to promote a culture of transparency, participation, and support.
(Adapted from principles supported or seen from: National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation [NCDD], International Association for Public Participation [IAP2], and the Institute for Local Government [ILG].)
DOC deepened its commitment to Outreach and Engagement in 2018 when an Outreach and Engagement position was created in the Executive Office.
Resources
To explore public engagement best practices further:
For more information