Success Indicators and Partnerships: a Case Study of an Urban Fishing Program

Although Iowa is an agricultural state, most Iowans live in urban areas. Current agricultural practices impair Iowa’s land and waterways and have influenced flooding severity statewide, particularly in urban areas. As agriculturally-impaired water flows downstream, urban residents face water quality and public health concerns in addition to unknown impacts to urban wildlife and ecosystems. Urban fishing programs present opportunities to engage citizens in outdoor activities and local ecosystems and water quality education while bringing together various stakeholders. Urban residents are key to future conservation policies and legislation, and these partnerships inspire increased engagement in urban areas. This case study examines how such partnerships form and their role in the program development of a pilot urban fishing program in Des Moines, IA. Preliminary data from the resident focus groups and stakeholder interviews will be presented.

Assessing success is important to the urban fishing program’s evolution and integration within city and state programs. Most urban fishing program literature examines specific programs or program elements.  This paper presents a synthesis of program components and a template for examining the partnerships central to successful programs. Interview data from urban fishing program managers will be presented and suggests that assessment, while essential to a program’s future, is too often undervalued or inconsistent. Our template is used to examine strengths and challenges of program approaches and to provide guidance for future program planners and managers. The template presents a useful assessment tool for program managers and staff of new or existing community programs.