Scientific Network

Finding Interested Scientists

• Universities-biology, ecology, zoology, botany, environmental science and other departments at local two and four year colleges and universities are good places to recruit interest. Professors who teach wildlife biology, conservation biology, or environmental studies may be the best place to start. Also, many universities have interdisciplinary environmental studies programs (a listing can be found at www.cnie.org).
• Natural history museums-this is another good source of scientists. The Association of Systematic Collections can tell whether there are natural history museums in your area (202-835-9050 or www.ascoll.org).
• Scientific societies-scientists are usually members of professional societies within their disciplinary expertise. Most societies of interest are members of the American Institute of Biological Sciences.

  Listing of some societies:

  • The Committee for a National Institute on the Environment (CNIE) has a web site with a calendar of conferences (www.cnie.org).
    
    
  • Members of the Society for Conservation Biology (CSB) are possibilities. SCB's Headquarters is at the University of Washington. The phone number is 206-616-4054.
    
    
  • Ornithologists have been willing to get involved in environmental issues. The Ornithological Council is an umbrella group for all major ornithological societies in North America. Information can be obtained at 301-986-8568.
  • The Wildlife Society is involved in applied wildlife management and conservation and work very closely with managers. Information can be obtained from www.wildlife.org or 301-897-9770.
    
    
  • The American Institute of Biological Sciences is an umbrella group of most biological scientific societies and can be a way to connect with some smaller societies that do not have offices or staff. Information can be obtained at www.aibs.org or 202-628-1500.
    
    
  • The American Fisheries Society can be persuasive. Information can be had at www.fisheries.org or 301-897-8616.
    
    
• Federal and state agencies-don't neglect scientists in federal and state wildlife agencies. Be aware that agency scientists may have to deal with agency positions, even if they do not agree with them.

Working with Scientists

• Go to scientific society meetings that occur in your area. Just attend and listen to get a feel of what they are about.
• To have a feeling for scientists' perspective, understand that the reward system under which scientists work centers on acceptance by their peers. Peers judge them through hiring and tenure decisions and through peer review work. In addition, to do their work, scientists often need the cooperation of government agencies, which may make some scientists reluctant to criticize the agency.
• Many scientists can be naïve, uninformed, uninvolved and rather cynical about the political process. The horse trading and compromises sometimes present in politics are opposite to the scientific approach toward understanding the world. Do not be surprised if many scientists do not wish to participate. Walk and talk them through the process, giving them as much information as they need.
• When approaching scientists, explain briefly who you are, whom you work for, what you are doing in this particular instance and why you think it will matter. Explain the kind of help you need and ask how much they feel comfortable doing.
• Ask scientists to do things that are easy for them and not beyond their capabilities and expertise.
• Environmental groups that manipulate scientific information to represent science when they are really advocating values will turn off scientists and make it difficult for other groups to work with scientists.
• Scientists may learn more about communicating with public policy makers and you should be open to learning from the scientists.
• Recognize that scientists are not always able to say much because there isn't good information available.
• Understand that scientists' credibility and careers often are built through written works.
• Do not lose or damage portions of a statement that include carefully crafted hedging and qualifications-this exposes scientists to attack.
• Scientists often prefer communicating through e-mail.
• Environmentalists will gain favor with scientists and help environmental causes by supporting efforts to increase funding for environmental research.
• Scientists will want to read the actual legislation, not just briefing papers about it. They will also look for verification from trusted scientific colleagues.