SEAFWA 2015

Kerry Linehan/David Cobb

Fisheries and wildlife management consists of scientific knowledge about the biological components of fisheries and wildlife resources as well as the social, cultural, economic, and political forces that shape conservation policies and decisions. The field of human dimensions of fisheries and wildlife management explores how and why human thought and behavior influences fisheries and wildlife conservation; helps optimize management strategies for fisheries and wildlife populations; and identifies how management strategies impact human-wildlife relations. In the southeastern United States, rapid human population growth and changing human demographics are applying new pressures to fisheries and wildlife populations and management. With these changes arises a critical need for state wildlife agencies to gather and apply human dimensions research into their planning processes to achieve socially and biologically balanced outcomes. This symposium offers insights into the ways human dimensions research can inform management on how to adapt to these social pressures. It will highlight examples of human dimensions research applied to management decisions and facilitate increased interaction among human dimensions researchers and specialists in SEAFWA member states and other conservation related organizations.

Objectives

• Promote the exchange of information, knowledge, as well as greater research collaboration, across human dimensions disciplines and between academics and practitioners in the southeastern U.S.


• Share with attendees the common and critical issues that have been encountered in the field of human dimensions by academics and practitioners in the southeastern U.S


• Identify useful concepts, frameworks, measures, and methods to address contemporary human dimensions problems in the southeastern U.S.


• Heighten awareness among attendees of the value of human dimensions insights within fisheries and wildlife management decision-making in the southeastern U.S.


• Recommend techniques to enhance scientific rigor within human dimensions research in the southeastern U.S. 

Fisheries and wildlife management consists of scientific knowledge about the biological components of fisheries and wildlife resources as well as the social, cultural, economic, and political forces that shape conservation policies and decisions. The field of human dimensions of fisheries and wildlife management explores how and why human thought and behavior influences fisheries and wildlife conservation; helps optimize management strategies for fisheries and wildlife populations; and identifies how management strategies impact human-wildlife relations. In the southeastern United States, rapid human population growth and changing human demographics are applying new pressures to fisheries and wildlife populations and management. With these changes arises a critical need for state wildlife agencies to gather and apply human dimensions research into their planning processes to achieve socially and biologically balanced outcomes. This symposium offers insights into the ways human dimensions research can inform management on how to adapt to these social pressures. It will highlight examples of human dimensions research applied to management decisions and facilitate increased interaction among human dimensions researchers and specialists in SEAFWA member states and other conservation related organizations.

Ann Forstchen, Human Dimensions Coordinator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Implications and obligations to use HD under public trust and good governance principles: Understanding broad perspectives

Christopher Serenari, Human Dimensions Specialist, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission & Ron Reitz, Social Scientist, Missouri Department of Conservation

Kirsten Leong, Program Manager, Human Dimensions of Biological Resource Management, US National Park Service

John Organ, Chief of the U.S.G.S. Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units

Steve McMullin, Associate Professor, Human Dimensions, Virginia Tech

Kevin Hunt, Professor, Human Dimensions, Mississippi State University

Belyna Bentlage, Purdue University (NEW PRESENTER - REPLACED LINDA PROKOPY)

Jane Harrison, North Carolina Sea Grant

Nick Wiley, Executive Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Ann Forstchen, David Cobb, Christopher Serenari, Kerry Linehan