Field Guide to the Future. Four ways for communities to think ahead

The field guide begins with a brief discussion about communities that depend on natural resources, thinking about the future and why it is important for communities to think ahead. Next, four methods for thinking about the future are introduced, describing hypothetical situations where each might be applied. This document provides a comparative matrix to make it easier to decide between methods in a given context. Then, concepts such as participation, mental maps, uncertainty and complexity are discussed.
In the second section “Getting Ready”, is explained how to plan for an exercise in thinking ahead in a community, with suggestions for organizing an event, selecting participants and monitoring progress.
The third section “Facilitating the Methods Step by Step” delves into the details.