Good morning,
I’d like to forward a really valuable research study to the group.
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Hello,
We are writing to you as part of a graduate research study led by Renee Lile at the University of Wyoming (Bernard Research Lab). We invite you to participate in this research to help understand the current landscape of bat-focused public research led by natural resource managers, researchers, and interpretative staff within land-holding natural resource management agencies in the United States. You can access the survey here https://uwyo.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_37TN2fFqN3OFbIa.
Motivation: Public funding agencies are increasingly requiring “broader impact” components in research grants. These broader impacts are often related to the dissemination of science through public outreach. Recognizing that public outreach can encourage learners to become active stewards of the natural environment while also improving public attitudes toward conservation management actions, many land-owning natural resource (land, water, and animals) management organizations—such as the Bureau of Land Management, The Nature Conservancy, and state and local parks departments— prioritize public outreach and education in their strategic plans. Within these organizations, researchers and natural resource managers, in addition to specialized interpretive staff, facilitate public outreach programs.
Following the introduction of the fungal disease, white-nose syndrome, and the devastating decline of North American bat populations, federal policymakers in the United States are placing greater emphasis on bat-focused public outreach. Because bats are cryptic and often misunderstood by the public outreach and education are essential for effective conservation management
Problem: Bat-focused outreach aims to foster public appreciation and understanding of bats and the conservation actions needed to protect them. Despite increasing interest in such education, the roles and motivators of interpretive staff, natural resource managers, and researchers in these outreach efforts remain poorly documented.
Target Outcomes: The research aims to:
1. Better understand who is engaging in bat-focused public outreach and why (or why not).
2. Identify factors that would most encourage staff to get more involved in bat-focused public outreach
3. Describe the kinds of bat-focused public outreach that interpretive, research, and natural resource management staff lead, or are interested in leading.
Findings from the survey will inform the design of bat-focused outreach materials and programs that are better aligned with the needs of practitioners, ultimately supporting greater engagement by identifying factors that promote involvement in this form of public outreach.
Research: If you are an individual currently employed by a land-holding wildlife management organization, you may share information about bat biology, conservation, and management with the public. Because of this, we are asking you to participate in this survey so we can learn more about your experiences engaging in bat-specific public outreach, and the barriers/support you received to conduct this work.
Participants: This survey is intended for individuals working in the United States (and its associated territories), whose job responsibilities include natural resource management, research, or public outreach, and who are employed by a land-holding wildlife management organization.
Examples of eligible land-holding employers include Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, and local open space or parks departments.
Organizations that do not own or manage land—such as the United States Geological Survey—are not considered eligible employers for the purposes of this survey. Similarly, individuals employed through institutions of higher education (e.g., universities or colleges) are not eligible to participate.
If someone you know matches this description, please forward this survey to them. Since we are working with a niche sub-population of natural resource professionals, we are relying on participant-driven survey distribution. We want to reach as many eligible individuals as possible to fully understand the state of bat-focused outreach in the United States.
Potential benefits include:
· Increased knowledge about bat-focused public outreach through the completion of the survey.
· Personal satisfaction that you contributed to a graduate research project.
Potential risks:
· The study does not involve any foreseeable risks. The study has been designed to minimize the risk of participant discomfort. Individuals can stop participating by simply closing out of the digital survey or skipping questions based on their level of comfort.
· The data collected is anonymous.
The study is being conducted by:
· Renee Lile, PhD Candidate, University of Wyoming, rlile1
· Bethann Garramon Merkle, University of Wyoming, bmerkle
· Dr. Riley Bernard, University of Wyoming , rbernar5
If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact Renee Lile, Project Lead.
Best regards,
Renee Lile
she/her/hers
PhD Candidate
Program in Ecology and Evolution
Department of Zoology and Physiology
University of Wyoming, Laramie /|\ ^._.^ /|\
Lee Blair
Open Space Supervisor
Bear Creek Lake Park/Open Space
303.697.6154
15600 W Morrison Rd.
MORRISON, COLORADO 80465