Science Communication

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Science Communication
Why are you attending this session?

• Science communication is important
• science based management decisions
• raise public awareness and support for the NPS
  and its programs
• change behaviors in order to protect resources
• collaboration among divisions and agencies

• Why science communication is difficult to
  accomplish
• inadequate funding
• lack of expertise networks hire scientists
• too many demands on network resources

2
Information products park managers expect from
the network
Results of IMR survey
3
Components of reports park managers expect to
from IM
Results of IMR survey
4
Science Communication Setting Priorities
Urgent? Important? Required?
Data Management Plan
Monitoring Plan
Writing Protocols
AARWP
Biological Inventories
Agreements
Report Writing
Park Planning
Filling Staff Positions
Peer Review
Training
Protocol Development Summaries
Calls from Steve Fancy
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Science Communication
My Initial Reaction

Network coordinator photographed following
instruction from the Board of Directors to
initiate a program of science communication.
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Science Communication
What is the Networks Role in Science
Communication?
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Science Communication
IMAC Guidance to Networks Core Duties

• routinely collect, manage, analyze and report
  data on the status and trend of a modest set of
  vital signs, and
• to effectively deliver the data and information
  to park managers, planners, interpreters, and
  scientists.

Providing materials to interpreters, educators,
the general public is an important component of
a successful monitoring program, and hopefully
additional funding will allow networks to
routinely do this, but it is currently not a core
duty of the networks because of limited staff and
funding.
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Science Communication
IMAC Guidance to Networks Core Duties

• IMAC agreed that network scientists do most of
  their work near the bottom of the information
  pyramid in the world of sound science, and not
  be asked to oversimplify and translate all data
  and information they collect for the general
  public and other audiences.

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Science Communication
IMAC Guidance to Networks
Science Communication Specialists, staff from the
Research Learning Centers, Interpreters,
planners, and experts with the Watershed
Condition Assessment program are better suited to
do much of this simplification and translation....
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Science Communication
Gradient Between Science Communication and
Reporting

Scientific Analysis Interpretation
100
Type of Process
50
Science Communication
Science Communication
0
NRTR
Summary
Public Service Announcement
Communication Type
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Science Communication
Core Responsibility

Scientific Analysis Interpretation
100
Type of Process
50
core responsibility
Science Communication
Science Communication
0
NRTR
Summary
Public Service Announcement
Communication Type
12
Science Communication
How Networks Accomplish Science Communication
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Science Communication
How Networks Accomplish Science Communication
Insert table
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Science Communication
Session Organization

• Brief Introduction now complete
• Introduction to Science Communication
• Examples of Science Communication Products and
  Strategies
• Panel Discussion