Science and Research Committee :: Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies

Committee Charge

The Science and Research Committee is responsible for keeping the Association informed of the ecological research and information needs of the States and managing a process for addressing those needs through a variety of mechanisms, including enhanced Federal-State partnerships.

The Committee meets this charge by:

Collecting research and information needs
Evaluating and prioritizing needs
Facilitating the transfer of existing information to address specific needs
Prioritizing needs that must be addressed through new research projects
Coordinating action plans with research organizations (Federal, State, and others)
Evaluating the progress/findings of the research efforts and facilitating the effective dissemination/translation of research findings into management implications

Subcommittees and Working Groups
Human Dimensions and Social Science Subcommittee

Subcommittee Charge: The AFWA Human Dimensions and Social Science Subcommittee will provide a forum for discussion about human dimensions and social science research and applications in state, federal and provincial wildlife and natural resource agencies and partners to:

• Highlight the necessity of social science integration into fish and wildlife management decisions.

• Identify and provide effective tools, resources, and expertise for successful social science integration.

• Promote and foster increased social science competence of natural resource practitioners to increase the capacity of conservation social science in North America.

• Build cross-jurisdictional connections between AFWA member organizations, regional human dimensions/social science committees/working groups, and partner organizations to improve conservation outcomes, reduce redundancy across organizations, and advance social science integration.

Shared Science & Research Priorities Working Group

The AFWA Science and Research Committee will continue to solicit information on a periodic basis regarding current and future anticipated science and research priorities from state fish and wildlife agency directors; other AFWA committees with science and research interests; regional AFWAs; regional conservation partnerships, and national science partners.