Developing Science Resources

Photo of a group of cranes on the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. Photo Credit: USFWS.

The Science Applications program helps develop science resources —from both natural and social sciences—needed to further landscape-scale conservation. For example, when Landscape Conservation Cooperatives were established, one of the first steps partners took was to assess conservation science needs so that critical gaps could be filled. We do the same in support of our agency’s specific efforts relating to aquatic resources and migratory bird conservation, endangered species recovery, and national wildlife refuges.

To help fill those gaps the Science Applications program in the Southwest has provided about $3.5 million for studies over the last three years. Landscape Conservation Cooperative have leveraged more than $3 million to fund the partnerships’ highest science priorities. Another $200,000 has supported the integration of Fish and Wildlife Service program science needs with those of Landscape Conservation Cooperatives.

We help secure additional priority conservation science for our agency programs and partnerships through the Science Support Partnership Program with the U.S. Geological Survey. This partnership provides more than $4 million for critical research nationwide each year.

For more information on all of these investments in science, click here, or use the “Science We’re Developing” icon above.

There are many other ways we expand the availability of science and technology relevant to the conservation community:

• We communicate the needs of Fish and Wildlife Service programs and partnerships by coordinating with scientific agencies and organizations leading critical research efforts, such as Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers and the U.S. Geological Survey;
• We expand beyond traditional wildlife knowledge, facilitating the integration of socioeconomic and cultural information, urban planning, and behavioral sciences into landscape-scale conservation planning and decision-making;
• We promote the development and sharing of new and improved technology, tools, and processes needed for landscape-scale conservation, such as wildlife and habitat geospatial modeling;
• We compile and synthesize scientific information and develop avenues to make this information accessible, such as workshops, webinars, and networking in academic circles; and
• We cultivate communications networks that facilitate better sharing of scientific information, specialized knowledge, and expertise.

Learn more about how we integrate emerging science into our work.

Learn more about how we ensure science quality, or click here to view our Peer Review Plans.

For more information on the Science Applications program, please contact:
Dana Roth, Assistant Regional Director for Science Applications, 505.248.6928
or Annessa Culbreth, Executive Assistant, 505.248.6277

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