Pacific Southwest

Title: Avian research in the U.S. Forest Service

Author: Van Horne, Beatrice

Date: 2005

Source: In: Ralph, C. John; Rich, Terrell D., editors 2005. Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 1 Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191. Albany, CA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: p. 26-29

Station ID: GTR-PSW-191

Description: Avian research in the Federal Government is in a crisis. Yes, there is a strong interest in avian research, as evidenced by the size and level of interest in this conference. But political parties increasingly see wildlife research as expendable. At the same time, the reaction to environment-friendly legislation of the 1970s and 1980s has been strong from both sides. Conservationists are holding our feet to the fire to show that we know the status of all our species in the National Forests, and are managing for those species. Meanwhile those on the other side are increasingly drawing upon a general skepticism about science and scientists to call into question the scientific basis for species and ecosystem protection while taking a broad swipe at research programs and funding. One thing is certain. If we continue with research as usual, we can expect support for that research to decline in the face of new priorities that this nation is facing. My objective here is to explore the major trends that have put Forest Service research where it is, and suggest how government supported researchers can strengthen their influence under the current political and social climate.

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Citation

Van Horne, Beatrice  2005.  Avian research in the U.S. Forest Service.   In: Ralph, C. John; Rich, Terrell D., editors 2005. Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 1 Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191. Albany, CA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: p. 26-29.