The role of science in the collaborative forest landscape restoration program

Abstract

The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) was created in 2009 to fund collaborative, science-based restoration. The role of science in collaborative forest restoration efforts such as the CFLRP is evolving as decisionmaking is complicated by a multitude of social and ecological factors. However, empirical evidence about the use of science in this context is limited. This article addresses the following question: How do CFLRP collaboratives obtain scientific information and what role does science play? Interviews and a survey of five CFLRP collaboratives in the Western United States were used to assess science sources, communication, perceptions, and obstacles. The results indicate that CFLRP collaboratives access scientific information primarily from university-based organizations and federal agencies via oral modes of delivery. Although the role of science is still somewhat unclear, CFLRP collaboratives are committed to incorporating science, and effective science delivery approaches may help facilitate the use of science.