Science & Research Committee

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.