Pacific Northwest Research Station

Methods for Sharing Science Information

The Science Delivery Team uses a variety of techniques to bring scientific information to our clients, including traditional activities like workshops and symposia. We call one of the nontraditional methods we are exploring, Science Management Interactions. Science Management Interactions are exchanges where a small number of scientists and managers with expertise in specific areas are brought together for short periods to discuss a particular management problem and to determine whether the existing scientific knowledge base presents a solution. The goal of these sessions is to discuss the current state of the art in important subject areas. A key piece of these interactions is the production of written information documenting the major findings that were discussed in ways that improve managers' access to scientific information. The program will continually explore new methods to help managers to articulate their information needs and then encourage scientists and professionals from any organization to provide the information available to address them. The Focused Science Delivery staff contribute by planning, facilitating, and documenting these interchanges. A FSD staff science writer may participate in the process and prepare a written document that describes the problem, the extent of scientific information relating to it, and a set of management implications. To date, two Science Management Issue forums have been held with great success. Other sessions are in the planning process.

A second technique is the Science Forum. These forums are intended to include the public in the process. Issue forums targeted at the general public, state and federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations, would provide an opportunity for presenting and discussing the latest science findings regarding priority topics within the Pacific Northwest. These sessions could include a variety of formats such as presentations and panel discussions aimed at sharing a range of scientific perspectives in a nonconfrontational format. These sessions would be summarized and made available on the Web and possibly in a variety of other formats such as videos, newsletters or mailing.

The FSD program also sponsors more traditional Workshops and Symposia. These are intended to provide or gather information on important topics in natural resource management or policy. In FY 2003, the FSD program is the cosponsor of a major symposium on biological diversity and a co-organizer of a major workshop on the research needs associated with large wildfires.

The Science Delivery Team assists issue leads with development of other innovative ways to transfer scientific information for use in policy debates, land management decisions, and public discussions.

US Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Research Station
Last Modified:  Monday, 07 December 2009 at 16:15:22 EST