FCCP Researchers Publish Study on Science Communication and Education
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EmailForest Carbon and Climate Program researchers publish study titled “Science-based communication and education needed to improve forest carbon science, policy, and management outcomes.”
Michigan State University researchers including current Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) Dr. Chad Papa along with former FCCP director and associate director, Lauren Cooper and Dr. Kylie Clay, and MSU department of forestry associate professor Dr. Scott Stark published a manuscript in the journal Environmental Research Letters. This study identified science-practice gaps among state forestry agency personnel using surveys, semi-structured interviews, and a review of relevant policy literature. The paper then identifies three key areas to reduce barriers integrating forest carbon science into management policy: 1) improved data, tools, and models to assess trends and statuses of forests; 2) enhance carbon science training among state forest practitioners and decision-makers; and 3) effective science-based communication for decision-makers and general audiences. This work should inform future participatory approaches for targeted education and communication of complex scientific topics to improve policy and management outcomes.
This work originally stemmed from the Assessment of State-Level Capacity and Interest in Forest Carbon Data, Modeling, and Policy Linkages project which was made possible with support from the USDA Forest Service, State Private and Tribal Forestry, Eastern Region. This project also produced resource guides covering various forest carbon data and modeling topics.
