AUTHORS: Shannon Westlake, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Kiandra Rajala, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Patrick Bixler, The University of Texas at Austin; Nicole Alt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: Innovation in conservation is required to move from surviving to thriving. As exemplified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Center for Pollinator Conservation (Center), social science innovations can enhance efficacy and resiliency. The Center is a multi-agency science and collaboration hub tasked with helping direct conservation actions that can reverse declining pollinator population trends in a connected and collaborative way. To meet those tasks and recognize and shed light on previous and ongoing USFWS pollinator conservation efforts, we developed and conducted a social network analysis study.
To build knowledge of the existing network and help inform evidence-based decisions to increase efficacy of pollinator conservation efforts, the Center launched a study across the USFWS in Fall 2023. From 1,599 USFWS respondents: 49.9% had never participated in USFWS pollinator conservation efforts); 16.3% previously worked on efforts but do not currently; and 33.8% who currently work on USFWS pollinator conservation efforts. Across these participant categories, our results indicated strong interest in new or re-engagement in pollinator conservation needs or efforts, and a primary scope of work at the local scale (i.e., within one state). Informing how the Center can share information and resources, we learned that emails and targeted meetings are the preferred pollinator communication methods across all three participant categories.
Initial results provide insight into connections across USFWS and external partners and identify key “bridgers” in priority pollinator conservation topics (e.g., conservation planning, partnership coordination, pesticides). These results will not only facilitate easier geographic connections but can also support silo busting efforts across USFWS and with external partners approach in a collaborative approach pollinator conservation. By better understanding relationships and knowledge flows, we can more effectively accelerate knowledge flows and reduce bottlenecks, create connections, leverage support, and adapt strategies to allow for learning and innovation towards a thriving conservation future.
