Knowledge production and measurable outcomes in conservation science

Conservation scientists often find it difficult to ensure that the knowledge they produce is used in conservation practice. We identify best practices based on 71 interviews with conservation scientists who have been successful in creating ‘actionable knowledge.’ These principles include: willingness to collaborate with others, ability to empathize, ability to build lasting relationships and foster trust, audience-specific communication of science, and a commitment to collaborative knowledge production. Our data highlight the differences that individual behaviors and institutional designs play in shaping the production of actionable science.