• Improving Interactions. An informal virtual communication structure (video conferencing; web communication of preliminary results) would help FS and other ecosystem scientists interact and share knowledge and data with climatologists, ecologists, hydrologists, modelers, and other specialists, and managers who are attempting to develop and implement adaptation and mitigation strategies on the ground. As funding and resources became available, a formal structure for communication could evolve which would facilitate communication and learning by all involved. In addition, we need to build of executive level efforts to link with climate change activities in other land management agencies such as the US Geologic Survey, the Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Improving Incentives. FS scientists often perceive significant disincentives for cross station activities, especially those that include participation in informal teams. Evidence of these disincentives often cited include a panel process that stresses the preeminence of first-authored peer reviewed publications, a spatially diffuse organization that stresses service to local clients, and a tendency to award funds using Station-specific trickle down approaches. Each of these issues must be evaluated and significantly improved if the cross-station collaboration critical to progress on global change research issues is to take place.
• Improving Inter-Deputy Cooperation. The FS is beginning to initiate, coordinate, facilitate and review activities among and within the deputy areas, to enhance the development and application of research to the NFS and S&PF. This FS-wide effort will also provide the much needed improvement to integration between the FS Global Change Research Program and other research programs of the FS such as FIA and the National Fire Plan.

Science Delivery. A primary force behind FS research is the drive to produce results that make a difference in the condition of the Nation's forests, woodlands and grasslands. The process of understanding the users and their information needs, targeting scientific studies to meet those needs, developing research products that make sense to users, and seeking user feedback to refine those products constitutes a cycle of activities that ensure effective science delivery. FS Research and Development must enhance this cycle of activities. Scientists must become involved in a continuing two-way dialog with users to identify potential future issues that managers may encounter. At the same time, FS research must develop different strategies for different stakeholders, as we strive to deliver science to practitioners, private landowners, federal and state resource managers, policy makers, and the public in general.

Technology transfer is a challenging interface issue in the FS, even where technology transfer has a long tradition of occurring with success, such as in fire science and management. While research-management partnerships are often discussed, they must be institutionalized to ensure successful infusion of climate-change science in management and planning. In addition, special effort is needed to transcend traditional or perceived barriers between research and management, and between different disciplinary and administrative structures within the FS. Activities to enhance technology transfer within the FS include the following:

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