ARS | Publication request: The role of joint ventures in bridging the gap between research and management

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2011
Publication Date: May 28, 2012
Citation: Giocomo, J.J., Gustafson, M., Duberstein, J., Boyd, C.S. 2012. The role of joint ventures in bridging the gap between research and management. In: Sands, J.P., DeMaso, S.J., Schnupp, M.J., Brennan, L.A., editors. Wildlife Science Connecting Research With Management. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p.239-251.

Interpretive Summary: Successful habitat management for migratory bird species is often hampered by a lack of coordination between on-the-ground managers and research professionals. We reviewed the role of U.S. Bird Habitat Joint Ventures in facilitating linkages between science and management. Joint Ventures (self-directed partnerships that work across administrative boundaries to develop habitat resources for migratory avian species) have proven highly successful, across a vast array of ecosystems, at integrating science and management by incorporating research into a business model that includes biological planning, conservation design, research, and monitoring. Joint Ventures provide a relevant context for using applied and basic research to improve management success, and have restored and/or enhanced over 13 million acres of avian habitat in a 25-year period.

Technical Abstract: No single entity can effectively address conservation planning and actions for migratory bird species that move across continents annually to fulfill their habitat needs. Successful landscape-level conservation requires cooperation and coordination of efforts among individual conservation entities. U.S. Bird Habitat Joint Ventures (JVs) are highly successful partnerships of public agencies, private organizations, corporations, and individual landowners that work cooperatively to meet shared goals. Joint Ventures identify and address strategic habitat conservation needs for priority bird populations through biological planning, conservation design, research, communications, education and outreach, and monitoring that maximize the effectiveness of conservation delivery activities of the individual member agencies/organizations of the partnership. Joint Ventures have a greater impact than individual partners working independently. The highly successful model for JV bird conservation partnerships has been successfully copied for other taxa and issues.