Rangeland Ecology & Management

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AN AGENCY KNOWLEDGE PERSPECTIVE
Author
Shaver, Pat L.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2015
Body

Professional agency knowledge is gained through education, experience working with managers and agency policy and ‘culture.' It is unique in the scheme of knowledge transfer in that it is in the middle, between the researcher, or the developer of scientific knowledge, and the manager or practitioner of the management knowledge. Management and scientific knowledge are rarely exchanged directly, but rather flow through the programs and policies of land management and technical assistance agencies. Scientific knowledge is adopted and incorporated into the mission and culture of the agencies to support objectives and policies and it is modified by experience as well as changing societal demands and expectations. Professional agency knowledge defines the lens through which natural resource managers receive and interpret scientific knowledge, and scientists receive and interpret management needs. It is a major role of professional agency knowledge to bridge that gap between science and management. Understanding how scientific knowledge is developed and how management knowledge is applied is essential to professional agency knowledge and to the ability to communicate with both developer and user. Professional agency knowledge starts with education in the principles of rangeland ecology and management but that education must also include understanding and experience in business decision making skills, animal production and societal needs and desires. Professional agency knowledge is developed by working with managers and scientists over time, developing personal relationships and observing results of management actions based on scientific knowledge recommendations. It is very difficult to dedicate the time needed in today's agency climates, and perceived gap between scientific knowledge and management knowledge to develop professional knowledge the meets the demands of the rangeland resources, the business enterprise and society.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Sacramento, CA