In this glossary, a number of key definitions are given. Often, more than just one definition exists. The purpose of this section is meant as a primer and help us speak a single language. It is possible that other definitions may fit your work better, so you should not feel restricted to use only the following definitions.
What most of the definitions have in common is that they focus on both natural and social systems, that they try manage linkages between systems and that they integrate over scales (both geographical as well as hierarchical scales).
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| valign="top" style="text-align:left"|<font size="3" color=#969696>Natural resource management</font>
|width="90%" style="background:#ededed;"|refers to the management of natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals, with a particular focus on how management affects the quality of life for both present and future generations (stewardship). Natural resource management deals with managing the way in which people and natural landscapes interact. It brings together land use planning, water management, biodiversity conservation, and the future sustainability of industries like agriculture, mining, tourism, fisheries and forestry. It recognises that people and their livelihoods rely on the health and productivity of our landscapes, and their actions as stewards of the land play a critical role in maintaining this health and productivity.
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| valign="top" style="text-align:left"|<font size="3" color=#969696>Partner</font>
|width="90%" style="background:#ededed;"|[[Image:stakeholders-partners.png|thumb|right|200px|Stakeholders and partners]] A stakeholder with whom we maintain an ongoing working relationship in which risks and benefits are shared, everyone contributes value (not just financial), and there is co-creation. In the Watershed Programme IRC, Akvo, Simavi and Wetlands International are partners as well as the organisations that we will engage with in a contractual relation. In addition, we may work well together with partners with whom we do not have a (financial) formal relationship.
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