Excellent science in the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Division: Guiding principles and recommendations

Perkins, Dustin; Bozek, Michael; MacCluskie, Maggie; Philippi, Tom; Ray, Andrew; Route, William; Thoma, David

The Excellence in Science Committee was formed in January 2014, at an Inventory and Monitoring Division Leadership Team Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. At that time, the Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program in the National Park Service was over 10 years old and transitioning from a start-up program to one of science delivery and resource management support. In those first 10 years, much was learned by the 32 I&M networks (referred to as the “32 experiments”) about environmental monitoring, science delivery, and science communication. These different experiences provided clear insights about how to integrate a monitoring program into a science agency as complex as that of the National Park Service. To see that information parlayed into useful science information for decision making, former division chief Bruce Bingham initiated a survey of all I&M employees, tapping into the collective wisdom, experiences, and expertise of staff to (1) get their input into what was working with the I&M program and (2) identify where improvements can be made to the science support that the program delivers to our national parks and monuments. Andy (John) Hubbard (later acting division chief), and Kirsten Gallo (acting deputy chief) worked with Marianne Tucker to compile the survey results and initiate discussions in Omaha about how to channel that collective wisdom and experience into productive outcomes for the program. The goal: to create a lasting, tangible impact on park management using I&M science as its foundation. Promulgated from those discussions was the creation of four committees: Excellence in Science, Science Communication, Inventories, and Accountability and Achievability. Of these, the Excellence in Science Committee was subdivided into three workgroups, each asked to address different dimensions of how to create and deliver excellent science to NPS via the Inventory and Monitoring Program: - The Stellar Science Committee, chaired by Northern Colorado Plateau Network Program Manager Dusty Perkins, was tasked with defining what Excellent Science means in the context of the National Park Service. Their task was to bridge the gap between traditional views of excellence as defined by peer-reviewable science and the application of science so that it effectively informs managers of resource agencies of the status and trends of resources at their respective parks. - The Integrating Science and Management workgroup, chaired by Southern Plains Network Program Manager Robert Bennetts, was assigned to evaluate approaches to effectively integrate I&M science into parks and proposing methods to improve science delivery and use in science-based management decisions. - The Attracting, Developing, and Retaining Excellent Science and Staff workgroup, chaired by Appalachian Highlands Network Program Manager Brian Witcher, sought to identify how we can attract, train, and retain scientists and technical staff in the program, identify what makes a successful monitoring network, and what training can be provided to improve skills within the program. Each workgroup was asked to explore the dimensions of their respective science-transfer responsibilities to NPS and develop recommendations to improve that delivery. In these efforts, we are indebted to Steve Fancy, Bruce Bingham (both influential former division chiefs), and all I&M employees and contractors, park resources staff, and superintendents for their dedication in helping bring science into how we manage parks for the American people and the world.

Excellent science in the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Division: Guiding principles and recommendations

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