NPS-BRMD Human Dimension
Project Work Plan
Revised 21 July 2003

Project title:

Addressing the Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management Issues in National Parks: A Collaborative Graduate Training Program

Submitted to:

Dr. Margaret Wild, Wildlife Veterinarian, DVM, PhD, and
Craig C. Axtell, Chief
Biological Resource Management Division
National Park Service
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Submitted by:

Daniel J. Decker, Ph.D.
Professor, Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management
Department of Natural Resources
Director, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station; and
Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

Need/Justification:

Wildlife management is becoming an increasingly complex task for any land resource management agency, as many species, especially ungulates, have become sufficiently abundant to cause large impacts on ecosystems and pose economic and human health risks. The biological dimensions of wildlife management have been a focus of inquiry for nearly a century, and while it is acknowledged that more biological science knowledge is needed in many cases, the greatest need in some situations is for knowledge about the human dimensions of wildlife management. The Biological Resources Management Division (BRMD) of NPS recognizes this need, and seeks to improve its ability to respond to wildlife management needs of park units across the country by gaining human dimensions expertise and enhancing its capacity to integrate biological and human dimensions of wildlife management issues faced by NPS.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are a major problem in park units of the eastern US. Management of deer issues in parks will be the "model" for developing insight and expertise in the BRMD. To make progress, it will be necessary to gain better understanding of the elements of deer management issues across the eastern NPS units. BRMD staff have identified the need to focus on:

a. Park "capacity" to deal with human dimensions aspects of deer management, especially biological and human dimensions integration.
b. Impediments to resolution of deer management--is the greatest need biological and human dimensions information, or development of an efficacious policy/management paradigm?
c. Stakeholder perceptions (agencies, landowners, visitors, "community")--what are the prevalent stakeholder perceptions of park approaches to deer management, and how might parks enhance these to create a climate where constructive deliberation and informed dialogue among stakeholders and between them and the park be pursued?
d. Citizen participation approaches -- what are appropriate models of citizen engagement that can be used in addressing deer management in parks?

A recent search for a wildlife specialist position in BRMD failed to identify an individual with the breadth of knowledge and experience needed to complement the existing expertise in the Division to adequately address the wildlife management challenges many park units are facing nationwide. BRMD decided it will need to develop a broadly trained individual, one with a strong biological foundation, as a human dimensions specialist and problem analyst for NPS Biological Resources Management Division, including expertise in:

a. Quantitative social science methods
b. Qualitative social science methods
c. Action research
d. Public involvement theory (and practice)
e. Adult learning/community action/program planning

Furthermore, it was determined that a specialist working in BRMD will need to develop effective consulting and advising skills for NPS context, such as:

a. Social psychological aspects of group behaviors (park staff interactions)
b. Interpersonal and organizational communication

Purposes:

A. Address deer management issues in eastern US National Park Service units as a model for how the Biological Resource Management Division can assist with wildlife management issues facing NPS.

B. Develop human dimensions expertise of individual to work in the Biological Resources Management Division in NPS, serving as an advisor/analyst providing technical assistance to Regions and Parks, and development of national policy and programs.

Tasks and schedule (revised):

1. In collaboration with NPS staff, develop a position description and recruit a graduate student for a PhD graduate assistantship with the Human Dimensions Research Unit, Cornell University--January - May 2003.
2. Orient graduate student to human dimensions of wildlife management and NPS Biological Resources Management Division; create a project guidance team populated by Cornell faculty and NPS staff--July 2003 - May 2004
3. In collaboration with NPS staff in BRMD and eastern US, describe the deer management situation in eastern parks and develop an approach for inquiry to aid in deer management practice and policy, resulting in a study plan (Phase I)--June - December 2004.
4. Conduct study(ies) in collaboration with BRMD staff, NPS regional staff, and specific park unit staff to better understand the human dimensions aspects of deer management problems associated with NPS units in the east, resulting in a preliminary analysis and report:
Phase II: several detailed case studies--January - December 2005
Phase III: focus on stakeholder engagement--January - August 2006
5. In consultation with NPS guidance team, continue analysis of findings and complete reports, including dissertation, oral presentations, and other communications--September 2005 - December 2006.

Deliverables and schedule (revised):

1. Report detailing conceptual framework for an inquiry into human dimensions of deer management in parks in the eastern U.S.--May 2004.
2. Study plan describing the scope, methodology and schedule that details the model and approach to be taken to address deer management issues in the NPS with a human dimensions perspective--December 2004.
3. Preliminary report from specific studies conducted under the study plan identified above--December 2005.
4. Final report (dissertation and presentations as needed)--December 2006.

Approach:

The proposed project will simultaneously work on three levels:

a. Gain specific insight about the human dimensions of deer management in specific situations (case studies in several park units), contributing specific knowledge of use to natural resource managers in those cases. This will be accomplished through targeted studies, using primary and secondary data collection techniques and quantitative and qualitative methods.

b. Gain general insight about overall approaches park units are taking to address deer management issues, for purposes of identifying broad patterns of activity, impediments to progress and factors leading to successful resolution or sustainable management interventions. This will be accomplished through multiple methods.

c. Facilitate development of a natural resource management professional who is well-grounded in biological aspects of wildlife management and competent in social science methods, citizen participation techniques, and interpersonal communication skills required to serve as an effective advisor and consultant for managers of park units on wildlife management issues.

Elements of proposed project:

a. Preliminary qualitative work with a few key NPS units:

1. interview NPS staff (practitioner profiles and shared history regarding deer management issue) (qualitative methods)
2. document analysis (content analysis methodology) (quantitative methods)

b. Survey of several Parks' management teams across region (focus on how best to communicate and interact given disciplinary, organizational, and cultural context--organizational communication).

1. mail survey (quantitative method)
2. follow-up telephone interviews (quantitative method)

c. Design, implement and evaluate a citizen participation process for a park that engages stakeholders, partners and park staff in developing a plan for deer management (focus on desired impacts). Possible approaches:

1. citizen task force (organize as action research)
2. search conference (qualitative inquiry)
3. use interviewing (telephone and personal) to gain preliminary insight regarding issues, impacts of concern, etc. and to identify key stakeholders
4. use interviewing to evaluate citizen participation method implementation (quantitative method)

This set of involvement and inquiry activities will provide opportunities for action research, application of theory, and insights about actual practice by NPS units.

d. Based on inquiry, conduct analysis that informs:

1. decisions about capacity building in parks to deal with deer
2. Biological Resources Management Division about how to best meet "consulting" needs of parks (apprenticing behavior for consultation and advisement roles)
3. development of principles and philosophy about stakeholder engagement across the system (informing policy)