HD.gov

What is HD.gov? | History | Site Management | Web Policies

What is HD.gov?

HumanDimensions.gov, or HD.gov for short, is an interactive informational website and a portal with featured links related to the human dimensions of natural resource management. HD.gov guides users to credible on-line information, including methods, on-line tools, publications, and a calendar of events. HD.gov adds value to existing sites by highlighting the widely applicable aspects of their content, while retaining links to more detailed information.

Audience

The primary audience for HD.gov is natural resource management professionals. The Web portal was developed to reduce the time required to find information and has a strong focus on the application of social science concepts, methods, and information. The use of nontechnical language makes content accessible to users regardless of background. The information on the site will also be helpful for both students and researchers.

Drivers

How can people find information on the human dimensions of natural resource management? Often in traditional on-line searches, because of lack of time or imprecise search terms, many valuable resources are never found. Popular search engines may yield hundreds or thousands of responses, but how many are relevant, useful, objective, or credible?

In “Recommended Policies and Guidelines for Federal Public Websites” the federal government states the following:

“The proliferation of information on the Internet, including information on federal public websites, can make it difficult for the public to sift through the maze of available resources, some of them overlapping and duplicative. Better coordination within and among federal organizations would limit the amount of duplication that currently exists and allow organizations to more effectively manage their resources. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by leveraging the resources of cross-agency portals, which promote the principle that information and services are created once and used many times.”
(Recommended Policies and Guidelines for Federal Public Websites)

Taking these issues into account, representatives from several agencies and organizations decided that, rather than work on separate initiatives, government agencies should combine their resources related to human dimensions of natural resource management in one place, while still maintaining their individual sites.

To test the validity of this proposal, a needs assessment was developed and sent to over 60 human dimensions professionals and natural resource managers across the U.S. Respondents stated that such an on-line resource was “needed,” “timely,” and “exciting,” and preliminary “commitment” was obtained from many federal and state agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and academic institutions.

What are “Human Dimensions”?

“The term human dimensions refers to how and why humans value natural resources, how humans want resources managed, and how humans affect or are affected by natural resources management decisions. Human dimensions inquiries strive to understand human traits and how to incorporate that understanding into management planning and actions. It covers a variety of ideas and practices including cultural, social, and economic values; individual and social behavior; demographics; legal and institutional frameworks of management; communication and education; and, decision-making processes of management.” (D. J. Decker, T. L. Brown, and W. F. Siemer. 2001. “Evolution of People-Wildlife Relations.” Pages 3 to 22 in D. J. Decker, T. L. Brown, and W. F. Siemer, editors. Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management in North America. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, MD.)

With the growing recognition of the importance of the human, or people, side of natural resource management issues, problems, and solutions, the term “human dimensions” is being used more often. To clarify what the human dimensions of natural resource management include, we have outlined the following working definition.

The human dimensions of natural resource management include

• The driving forces behind people’s decisions
• The human behaviors that lead to change
• The effects of change on natural resources and quality of life
• The management strategies to address change

Human Dimensions: Driving Forces

Driving Forces are the base drivers that influence human behavior. These driving forces play a large role in people’s decision-making processes, their activities, their impressions of the personal and social benefits and impacts of particular human activities, and their acceptance of change and control with regard to the social and natural environment.

Driving forces might include the following factors:

• Psychological
• Social
• Spiritual
• Cultural
• Economic
• Political
• Legal
• Managerial

History

With the Internet becoming a primary conveyor of information, and human dimensions becoming an increasingly strong topic of interest for natural resource managers, several government agencies had plans to further develop their human dimensions websites. The only concern was how value could be added without duplicating existing resources on other federal sites. The agencies generated the idea of a joint website, or a portal, that would combine information from various agencies and that might also serve as a mechanism to support an interagency community of practice among human dimensions professionals.

To test this idea, professionals from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center sent a needs assessment to professionals and managers throughout the U.S. (See Need for HD.gov.) Based on the feedback obtained, they decided that the scope of the portal should be expanded to include academia, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector.

HD.gov was then presented at several conferences, including the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management (ISSRM), the Society for Human Ecology (SHE), the Northeastern Recreation Research (NERR) Symposium, and the Organization of Wildlife Planners (OWP). During this time, several drafts of the portal were developed and reviewed by the partners in preparation for the June 2007 launch. The Web portal was further enhanced following user feedback. Version 2 of HD.gov was released in January 2009.

Site Management

HD.gov is developed and run by its partners through a committee-based organization. Registered users of HD.gov have the option to be involved in any of the committees as well serve as content reviewers (if they meet reviewer standards). The role of the committees is to facilitate the growth of HD.gov by helping to make decisions about future development. The role of each committee is outlined below. For more information on the committees, please e-mail info@hd.gov or post a question in the “Committees” section of the forum.

Committee Organization

Web Policies

HD.gov’s policy is to include links only if they accomplish the following:

• Provide information that adds value to HD.gov by furthering its goals and missions and complementing existing content
• Bring users to a “user-friendly” website with relevant, useful, and authoritative information that is both accurate and current
• Are in good taste and comply with laws, regulations, and policies (including but not limited to digital rights, copyright, and patent laws)
• Not contain any biased, misleading, or unsubstantiated messages or claims
• Not serve the purpose of endorsing a commercial product (with the exception of tools or data—see objectivity claim)
• Not require special registration or fees (unless otherwise noted)

Linking to Nonfederal web pages.

When linking to a nonfederal website, the external link provides additional information that may be useful or interesting and helps fulfill the intended purpose of the HD.gov portal. However, HD.gov cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by this or any other external, linked website. Providing links to a non-HD.gov website does not constitute an endorsement by HD.gov or any of its partners or site sponsors of the information or products presented on the non-HD.gov site. Also, the privacy protection provided on the HD.gov domain (see Privacy and Security Notice) may not be available at the external link.

Crediting HD.gov

There are two types of content on HD.gov: content developed specifically for HD.gov and content pulled from other sources.

• Content developed for HD.gov can be identified by the label, “Original HD.gov Content.” When citing this content, please credit HD.gov and the contributor (individual or organization).
• Content on HD.gov that has been quoted or modified from other websites does not have the label, “Original HD.gov Content,” and has only source information. When citing this content, credit the original source (crediting HD.gov, as well, is optional).

Web Update Schedule

HD.gov reviews all links at least quarterly, as part of its routine content development and update process, to make sure they still work and that they still add value.

Adding Links to HD.gov

If you would like to submit one or more links to HD.gov, click the “Submit” button on any of the pages. This will open an interface that will allow you to submit links and content.

Objectivity Policy

Product Endorsement

HD.gov does not endorse any commercial product, process, service, or enterprise by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise. Links to other websites and references to any commercial product or enterprise are provided solely for the user’s convenience and do not necessarily constitute or imply HD.gov’s endorsement, recommendation, or exclusive approval thereof. Accordingly, HD.gov does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content provided on any linked, third-party website.

Links to For-Profit Products and Organizations

As a rule, links may not promote specific for-profit products or services. It is permissible to link to the home pages or e-mail addresses of a category of private for-profit organizations when it will promote HD.gov’s objectives, with the following provisions:

• A complete list of the vendors in that category must be posted (both those with and those without websites or e-mail).
• All vendors in that category must be notified that HD.gov will be creating links to the websites or e-mail addresses of those that have them, before any links are posted.
• Links must include the exit disclaimer.