Dissemination of Forest Health Research Information in the Rocky Mountains

Abstract

An important objective of forest health research is that it is applicable to and used by end users. A survey, interviews, and two case studies determined how to best transfer research to US Forest Service end users in the Rocky Mountain Region. The survey indicated research information was most often found via the Internet, peer-to-peer interactions, publications, specialist visits, and field days. However, the most preferred methods were site visits by specialists, field days, and peers. Interviewees indicated that increased workloads and decreased budgets restricted them from staying current with research findings. Case studies found transferring findings directly from a researcher can be inefficient while using boundary spanners reduces researchers' efforts on technology transfer. To be better disseminated to end users, research findings should use face-to-face media, be easy to interpret and quick to use, and build on or establish trust between researchers, boundary spanners, and end users.

extension, boundary spanners, tree health, outreach, US Forest Service