Western Fisheries Research Center

Our Vision

The phrase "Good science, well managed" was coined by Dr. Dennis Fenn, the first Chief Biologist of the USGS following the 1996 USGS/NBS merger. Dr. Fenn used the phrase in his initial charge to BRD science centers in their new roles within the USGS. Based on this philosophy, the WFRC has established a vision statement:

Good science will be:

• Innovative: reflecting a culture of creativity
• Useful: relevant to the resources and their managers
• Accurate: objective and replicable
• Timely: responsive to the time scale required for effective resource stewardship within the bounds of scientific excellence
• Well communicated: findings will be reported to those who need the information, not just other specialists

Science well-managed will mean:

• Resource managers will have a major role in conceiving projects
• Proposals and products will be peer reviewed, achieving a high standard of worth in the eyes of the knowledgeable scientific and management communities
• Funding will follow merit; merit will be measured by scientific excellence and conservation need
• Collaborations will be valued and sought-with other centers, USGS divisions, agencies, universities, states, the private sector, and international colleagues
• Excellence will be rewarded in career development
• Each member of the WFRC community will seek to understand the Center's scientific mission, and each participant will be valued for his or her individual contribution toward achievement

What would the WFRC, achieving this vision, "look like?" Scientists working in the Center's specialty fields would be recognized and renowned by other leading scientists, and would set standards for younger, emerging scientists, nationally and internationally. Positions and collaborations with the WFRC would be highly sought, and the scientific literature would reflect high productivity. The Center would be known for "making a difference" with the natural resources at a practical level, both by the knowledgeable public, and especially by the community of resource managers and agencies served. A balance would be achieved between fulfilling the immediate needs of managers and conducting longer term research that takes full advantage of the leadership and creativity of Center scientists in support of conservation. The employees of the Center at all levels would have opportunities to develop intellectual and professional diversity for multidisciplinary approaches to conservation problems, and would be recognized for doing so. People would like working at the WFRC.