USFWS/NCTC Human Dimensions in Conservation

Latest Episodes:

Understanding a Changing America: A Key to Successful Conservation Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

Being relevant in our conservation work requires that we understand the demographic changes in the US. In this podcast, Dr. Steve Murdock, Rice University professor and former director of the U.S. Census Bureau, shares some key demographic and socioeconomic trends we are seeing in the US and why a fundamental understanding of these trends is an important part of ensuring successful conservation.

Strategic Communication for Strategic Conservation Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

If we want people to conserve fish, wildlife and habitats, we must better understand how to enage with our audiences and effectively communicate with them. In this podcast, Dr. Jessica Thompson, Northern Michigan State University professor, shares tips and best practices for understanding and communicating to make our messages stick.

Human-Wildlife Interactions: Coexisting with Key Deer Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

Human-wildlife interactions can create obstacles for wildlife conservation efforts. In this podcast we'll hear from Nancy Finley, manager of the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and Dave Case from D.J. Case and Associates, about the negative impacts of Key deer feeding and what's being done about it.

Visitor Use Management Tools to Improve Visitor Experiences Aug 09, 2017

Show notes

In this podcast, we'll explore the basic principles and strategies of visitor use management, and the simple, accessible tools-you-can-use to effectively tackle projects involving visitor use of protected areas. Learn from Jennifer Reed, our agency's representative on the Executive Committee of the Interagency Visitor Use Management Council, how you can use the Council's tools to help you connect people with our healthy landscapes while insuring the landscapes continue to thrive now, next summer, and 50 years into the future.

PlayCleanGo: A behavior change campaign that works Mar 13, 2017

Show notes

Susan Burks, from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, joins us to discuss her work to prevent the spread of invasive species through a program called PlayCleanGo: Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks. Developed in partnership with the US Forest Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, it utilizes community-based social marketing strategies to encourage responsible behaviors by outdoor recreationists. After listening to the podcast, learn more about this topic and Susan's work by viewing our recent broadcast, Community-Based Social Marketing: Behavior Change Strategies that Work at https://training.fws.gov/resources/knowledge-resources/video-gallery/human-dimensions.html

Commitment to Collaboration: Facilitating Working Groups of Tribes and Government Agencies Dec 15, 2016

Show notes

Richard Arnold and Jeremy Spoon join us to discuss their work facilitating collaborations with tribes and federal land management agencies to conserve nature and culture -- two things we can never really separate. What makes these collaborations successful? Listen to the podcast and visit our HDgov webpage for related resources: https://my.usgs.gov/hd/node/728

Building Visitor Centers, Building Relationships Jul 28, 2016

Show notes

In 2012, Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex began designing and building visitor centers for Desert, Ash Meadows, and Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuges. Larger efforts were underway to restore relationships and build partnerships with the seven tribes of Nuwuvi, or Southern Paiutes. The planning and design of the visitor centers was a collaboration with Nuwuvi and the voice of Nuwuvi is woven throughout the exhibits. For pictures of the visitor centers and more resources, please visit https://my.usgs.gov/hd/node/728

Identifying and Engaging Stakeholders Sep 29, 2015

Show notes

Who are stakeholders? Why do you need to know? In this podcast, Dr. Katie Steiger-Meister, Senior Public Affairs Specialist with the USFWS Midwest Office of External Affairs, talks about the importance of and tools for stakeholder identification and engagement.

Persuasive Communication for Behavior Change Sep 29, 2015

Show notes

Learn some tips for using persuasive communication to influence conservation behavior. In this podcast, we'll hear from Dr. Shawn Davis, professor of communication at Northern Michigan University and Ms. Lori Brown-Large of Action Research, marketing consultant and social scientist.

New Human Dimensions Resource Website for U.S. FWS Sep 22, 2015

Show notes

We've recently released the Human Dimensions Resource Portal (http://my.usgs.gov/hd/team/usfws). This site for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees provides access to human dimensions tools and resources applicable to conservation work and has many other features that encourage a community of practice around HD topics. Learn more about what it has to offer in this podcast!