Environmental Negotiations - The Art of Building Trust and Getting to “Yes”

Course ID: OPR-301
August 31-September 2, 2010, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Radisson Hotel-Sacramento
500 Leisure Lane
Sacramento, California 95814

Instructor: Jim Nelson
Guest speakers: Mark Stopher and Ronald W. Nelson

Registration | Course Brochure PDF | Directions | Accommodations| Course Catalog

Description: This workshop provides attendees with improved skills for effective participation in environmental negotiations. Environmental negotiations are often more complex due to their technical and regulatory intricacy, interest from many parties, and the emotional nature of parties involved. This workshop presents basic negotiation concepts, specific environmental applications, and principled (ethical) negotiation approaches for building trust and relationships.

Role-playing provides an interactive method of reinforcing negotiation principles, and will be used to teach participants how to recognize commonly encountered tactics while producing responses. Participants will gain a better understanding of negotiation principles, as well as approaches and practices for improving outcomes. In addition, the skills taught in this class will help participants increase their confidence and reduce the anxiety they feel while working to achieve these outcomes. Course materials will provide useful tools for future negotiations.

Course Topics:

Day One:
Introduction to a Process for Environmental Negotiations

Background on Negotiations
- Concepts
- Definitions
- Styles

Preparing to Negotiate Interests, Alternatives, and Options

Day Two:
A Process for Negotiation II

Bargaining
- Issues Options
- Packages

Managing Complex Negotiations I

Style Considerations in Negotiations

Case Studies and Challenges

Working on Negotiation Teams

Monitoring the Progress of the Negotiations

Day Two: Continued

Tricks and Tactics I

Interpersonal Skills in Negotiations
- Active Listening Skills
- Effective Questioning

Day Three:
A Process for Negotiations III

Writing Sustainable Agreements

Monitoring

Managing Complex Negotiations
- Skills for Difficult Negotiations
- Managing Scientific and Technical Information

Tricks and Tactics II

Ethics in Negotiations

Third Party Assistance

Attendees will learn:

Basic negotiation concepts and terminology.
The difference between simple and complex environmental negotiations.
How to clarify alternatives and create enhanced outcomes.
To negotiate in an ethical manner that is consistent with good principles.
Manage negotiations in a team setting.
Improve listening and questioning skills.
How to close negotiations with agreements.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for planners, agency representatives, scientists, land managers, supervisors, program managers, environmental groups, and citizens interested in participating in the public process.

About the Instructor: Jim Nelson is a trained mediator and facilitator with experience working in public meetings and helping groups with complex technical and organizational issues. He has taught a variety of courses including Facilitation, Public Meeting Techniques, Environmental Negotiations and Basic CEQA. He has authored technical papers on rare and endangered plants and is still active in habitat conservation efforts.

Guest Speakers: Mark Stopher is currently employed by the California Department of Fish and Game in the Northern Region office, located in Redding. He has broad experience with the application of natural resource policy in the context of forestry, transportation, mining, hydroelectric project licensing, water pollution, agriculture, water projects and conversion of habitat to residential development.

Ronald W. Nelson is an attorney with more than 35 years experience and a recently retired partner of Nixon Peabody LLP, a global law firm. His practice has emphasized real estate and environmental law. He has represented property owners and developers in negotiating permits and other entitlements as well as environmental agreements with local, state and federal agencies.

Prerequisites: Prior training is not necessary.

Course Materials: Each participant will receive a copy of the text Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In and course proceedings including notes and reference material on the first day of the course.

Registration: $795/$695*
(*reduced tuition is available to employees of Native American tribes, government agencies, and nonprofits; students; and NAEP members). You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976. Register Online!

Self Reporting Continuing Education Units: 2.0 CEU's

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Lunch will be on your own.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to the day prior to the event. Registration may occur up to the day prior to the event provided that space is available.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (206) 762-1976 at least 30 days prior to the event.