Reducing barriers to science-based management

Abstract

Each of the United States federal wilderness management agencies requires access to the best available scientific information to meet legislative and policy mandates. Scientists, including those in federal agencies and universities, have worked diligently to develop and publish scientific knowledge to support policy and management decisions. However, wilderness managers report a variety of barriers to their ability to access and use scientific information. These barriers include, but are not limited to, heavy workloads and a lack of time to search for scientific information, a large body of seemingly irrelevant research, the absence of research on specific topics, contradictory research results, publications written for scientific audiences, lack of training, and managers’ attitudes toward science.

Citation

Wright, Vita. 2003. Reducing barriers to science-based management. International Journal of Wilderness. 9(1): 19,12.