Field Stations are generally located in one of America’s most treasured landscapes and iconic places and increasingly face threats associated with a burdening human population, climate change and associated environmental impacts. A watershed approach, where science communication is fundamental to success is a way to address these myriad issues in a holistic, comprehensive and sustainable manner and at scales the public relates. As such, Field Stations provide an exemplar for boundary spanning which is critical in fostering horizontal integration across the many administrative units of a university, local and regional sectors, and among state and federal agencies. – A nexus for water, natural resource and environmental education among diverse communities. Building authentic relationships are critical to connections and legitimacy. Consider Texas, where the 90% urban/95% private property disconnect provides “field stations” the opportunity to increase science-based environmental literacy-rural/urban connections. Texas Tech University Llano River Field Station in the Texas Hill Country enjoys a strategic geographic position to conduct water/watershed, invasive species impacts, ecological and education in a critical region encompassing an area larger than 10 states through an Upper Llano Watershed Protection Plan (WPP). Here, we illustrate the tools used to engage and effectively communicate the science associated with Healthy Watersheds.
Results/Conclusions
LRFS was involved numerous engagement efforts prior to the WPP, but that plan and process provided the focus that sewed together the many somewhat disparate efforts and was instrumental in addressing the challenges associated with: 1) public skepticism of government in a rural conservative region of Texas, 2) gaining trust, 3) communicating goals, 4) enlisting participation, and 5) incorporating sustainability and many other elements, challenges, and research. Stakeholders identified all decisions as to problems and solutions in the watershed. LRFS learned how to interact and communicate with new audiences, the need to place research in the context of “real world” problems, being a credible resource, how to walk the fine line of informing the debate rather than perceived as an advocate, and role in providing critical guidance to resource managers and decision-makers. We used Social Network Analysis to map, measure, and find patterns in the connections between people and organizations and how an organization embedded in a larger system influences its actions, power, and resources. Field Stations together with agency partnerships and stakeholder/landowner involvement in research and education are resistance and resilience components of watersheds that promote stability by increasing capacity to absorb and recover from disturbances.