Creating boundary objects supports knowledge co-development processes: A case study evaluation from the Colorado Front Range

Abstract

This qualitative case study evaluates manager and researcher perceptions of the impact of a place-based, collaborative knowledge co-development process and examines the outcomes of that co-development for changes to management approaches. The USDA Forest Service (Forest Service) Rocky Mountain Research Station General Technical Report 373 (GTR-373) is a codeveloped science synthesis that functions as a boundary object providing a framework for planning, designing, and implementing management action for restoration of ponderosa and dry mixed-conifer forests. The process of creating and socializing the GTR-373 framework fostered continual knowledge exchange and engagement between researchers and managers across different organizations and levels of decision-making. This built trust in the information, improved justification for management action, developed a common foundation for cross-boundary implementation, and increased communication. The framework has been applied across jurisdictions and has been used as a foundational tool for training staff and designing projects. However, adapting the GTR-373 framework across scales remains challenging.

Citation

Brown, Hannah L. C.; Cheng, Antony S.; Clark, Nehalem C.; Slack, Andrew W.; Wolk, Brett H. 2024. Creating boundary objects supports knowledge co-development processes: A case study evaluation from the Colorado Front Range. Journal of Forestry. https://doi.org/10.1093/jofore/fvae010.