Abstract: In response to the increasing decline of critical natural resources across the United States, planners are abandoning the traditional species by species approach to regulation and are instead embracing ecosystem approaches to management. Stakeholder participation is considered an essential component of effective ecosystem approaches to management. However, the role industry is usually overlooked despite the fact that industry not only has the greatest impact on critical natural resources, but also owns the majority of critical habitats and ecosystem components in the U.S. This paper examines how the presence of industry can benefit ecosystem management outcomes, as well as how ecosystem management practices can benefit industry. Both quantitative and qualitative case studies are presented. Recommendations are also provided on how to effectively incorporate industrial concerns into the planning process.

Sam Brody is an assistant professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on collaborative ecosystem approaches to management, sustainable coastal margins, and the role of the private sector in resource management. His past work has examined ecosystems, such as the Gulf of Maine, the Everglades, and the Chesapeake Bay.