Center Content: 

About Science in the BLM

The complexity of natural and cultural systems, combined with public expectations and legal mandates, make it essential that the Bureau of Land Management continue to be a "science-informed" agency.  We strive to consistently apply the best and latest science and research in processes.  This includes assessments, monitoring, planning, permitting, implementation, and compliance. Among other areas, science is used to monitor vegetation, soils, water, wildlife habitat, and the effects of wildfire to ensure that we are meeting desired conditions across the landscape.

Employees with nets standing in a river.

The BLM’s Advancing Science Strategy has identified two broad goals that focus BLM efforts in strengthening the use of science in decision-making: 

  1. Ensure effective and consistent science integration into the BLM's core work processes.
  2. Ensure that relevant, timely scientific information is accessible to BLM staff and managers.

The BLM’s National Science Committee was created to foster scientific principles and practices outlined in the Strategy. The NSC’s mission is to lead and build on the BLM’s ongoing efforts to integrate science into daily work as a sound and defensible foundation for informed decision-making. The NSC currently focuses on six key areas:

  • Highlighting principles and practices for integrating science into management decisions
  • Supporting science partnerships and citizen science
  • Encouraging science proficiency through continuous learning and development
  • Providing BLM staff and partners with more direct and timely access to relevant science and data
  • Identifying and investing in priority science needs
  • Enhancing internal and external science communications

Loading an adult skull into a truck bed at an archaeological dig.

The BLM also encourages scientific discussion across the agency to seek out and share relevant scientific information that strengthens our land management decisions.  Those discussions are guided by our Core Science Forum.