The Great Basin Research and Management Partnership: Facilitating Collaborative Solutions

Authors: Hardegree, Stuart

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2010
Publication Date: 2/6/2011
Citation: Hardegree, S.P. 2011. The Great Basin Research and Management Partnership: Facilitating Collaborative Solutions. In: Abstracts of the 64th Annual Meeting, Society for Range Management, Billings, MT, Feb 6-10, 2011 (CD-ROM Abstract).

Interpretive Summary: The Great Basin is undergoing major sociological and ecological change as a result of urbanization, changing technology and land use, climate change, limited water resources, altered fire regimes, and invasive species, insects, and disease. Sustaining ecosystems, resources, and human populations of the Great Basin will require strong collaborative partnerships among research and management organizations in the region. In November, 2006, a workshop was held in Reno, NV on the topic of "Collaborative Watershed Management and Research in the Great Basin". A principal outcome of the workshop was the recommendation to develop an organizational framework: to identify and prioritize regional issues, expand and support existing collaborations, facilitate new teams to address emerging issues, and promote information sharing among programs and people. This ultimately resulted in the development of an MOU for the formation of the Great Basin Research and Management Partnership which is described in more detail on the GBRMP website: (http://greatbasin.wr.usgs.gov/GBRMP/index.html). The website also serves as an information clearinghouse for Great Basin research and management activities and currently includes: (1) Searchable Database of Collaborative Programs; (2) Research Catalog (The Science Locator http://jester.wr.usgs.gov/scilocator_ims/viewer.htm); (3) Metadata Server; (4) Great Basin Bibliography; (5) Upcoming Meetings and Links; (6) List Server; and (7) an Experts/Participants Database. GBRMP has supported several regional collaborative efforts, and the development of working groups to address invasive species, global climate change, science delivery, and monitoring issues.

Technical Abstract: The Great Basin is undergoing major sociological and ecological change as a result of urbanization, changing technology and land use, climate change, limited water resources, altered fire regimes, and invasive species, insects, and disease. Sustaining ecosystems, resources, and human populations of the Great Basin will require strong collaborative partnerships among research and management organizations in the region. In November, 2006, a workshop was held in Reno, NV on the topic of "Collaborative Watershed Management and Research in the Great Basin". A principal outcome of the workshop was the recommendation to develop an organizational framework: to identify and prioritize regional issues, expand and support existing collaborations, facilitate new teams to address emerging issues, and promote information sharing among programs and people. This ultimately resulted in the development of an MOU for the formation of the Great Basin Research and Management Partnership which is described in more detail on the GBRMP website: (http://greatbasin.wr.usgs.gov/GBRMP/index.html). The website also serves as an information clearinghouse for Great Basin research and management activities and currently includes: (1) Searchable Database of Collaborative Programs; (2) Research Catalog (The Science Locator http://jester.wr.usgs.gov/scilocator_ims/viewer.htm); (3) Metadata Server; (4) Great Basin Bibliography; (5) Upcoming Meetings and Links; (6) List Server; and (7) an Experts/Participants Database. GBRMP has supported several regional collaborative efforts, and the development of working groups to address invasive species, global climate change, science delivery, and monitoring issues.