A Toolkit for Coproducing Actionable Science to Support Public Land Management

Authors: CARTER, SARAH - Us Geological Survey; ANDERSON, PAT - Us Geological Survey; BAMZA-DODSON, APARNA - Us Geological Survey; HABY, TRAVIS - Bureau Of Land Management; Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff; SAMUEL, ELLA - Us Geological Survey; TULL, JOHN - Fws Design Builders; WOOD, DAVID - Bureau Of Land Management

Submitted to: USGS NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCIENCE CENTER
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2024
Publication Date: 2/13/2024
Citation: Carter, S., Anderson, P., Bamza-Dodson, A., Haby, T., Herrick, J.E., Samuel, E., Tull, J., Wood, D. 2024. A Toolkit for Coproducing Actionable Science to Support Public Land Management. USGS NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCIENCE CENTER. Report.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Agencies that manage federal public lands and resources are committed to using science to inform their decisions. However, agency resources used to support external science have not always resulted in products that clearly apply to agency decisions and can be easily used in agency work processes. Coproduction, in which researchers, resource managers, and other stakeholders work together on science projects as partners, can help ensure that science requested by resource management agencies will better meet their needs. However, while coproduction is now widely referenced, there is little practical guidance available for conducting coproduction. We worked with scientists and resource managers from multiple agencies to develop a toolkit for conducting coproduction to support public land management. We first explored coproduction definitions, benefits, challenges, and needs using a series of unstructured interviews. We then used that information to develop a set of information sheets, videos, templates, and checklists that can support coproduction between science providers and land management agencies. These tools describe coproduction roles and responsibilities, help partners decide on the right level of coproduction for their project, provide practical guidance to get started, suggest specific communication products for supporting coproduction efforts, and provide a checklist to help partners proactively consider and address commonly encountered challenges. Using the tools can help scientists and resource managers put coproduction into action, helping both to receive greater benefits from science projects, including projects that are better designed to answer key management questions and products that are tailored for easy integration into analyses and work processes.