Training Conservation Biologists in Human Interaction Skills

Abstract

Questionnaires were sent to 298 graduate programs in conservation biology and other areas of the biological and agricultural sciences and to 702 public and private organizations that employ, or might employ, conservation biologists. The focus of the questionnaires was on the need for training conservation biologists in human interaction skills (e.g., interpersonal communication, leadership, group decision making). Respondents were asked to indicate the current availability of such training at their institutions or organizations. Questionnaires were returned by 28.5% of the graduate programs and 21.1% of the conservation organizations. A majority of both groups of respondents indicated a high need for training in the following seven areas: written and oral communication; explaining science and values of biodiversity to the lay public; group decision making; interpersonal skills; group planning; leadership; and advocacy. Despite the high level of perceived training need, relatively few academic institutions and even fewer conservation organizations offer or require courses in human interaction skills (with the exceptions of written and oral communication and foreign languages). Sixty‐four percent of the graduate faculty respondents and 78% of the employer organization respondents indicated that human interaction skills are equally important or more important to the work of conservation biologists than science knowledge and skill. We suggest that follow‐up research should be conducted to delineate further the need for human interaction skills training and to assess the relationship between specific human interactions skills and conservation outcomes. We also recommend that a curriculum on human interaction should be designed and developed for conservation biologists, perhaps through a cooperative effort of interested faculty and employers facilitated by the Society for Conservation Biology and conservation organizations.

Social Influences on Conservation: Lessons from U.S. Recovery Programs for Marine Mammals

“…Graduate programs in conservation biology and training programs in federal and state natural resource agencies must train professionals in the social dimensions of conservation biology. The literature in conservation biology has reflected and explored this need (Touval & Dietz 1994;Cannon et al 1996;Saberwal & Kothari 1996;Clark 1997Clark , 2001Clark , 2002Meffe 1997Meffe , 1998Jacobson & McDuff 1998;Inouye & Dietz 2000). Until methods of problem solving and managing human interactions are an explicit part of the practice of conservation biology, mistakes, crises, and failures in the management of protected species programs will occur.…”

Recommendations to Improve Recovery of Endangered Species in the United States

“…In the practice of conservation management, a wide range of problems stems from stakeholders' relationships (Clark, 1997;Rhodes & Wilson, 1995). It has been suggested that university programs training future conservation professionals include training in human dimensions (Cannon, Dietz, & Dietz, 1996;Jacobson & McDuff, 1998;Noss, 1997).…”

Trends in Wildlife Management and the Appropriateness of Australian University Training

“…A similar management emphasis has been expressed by natural resource scientists from the U.S. Department of the Interior who, in a broad survey of information needs and issues, listed conservation of biological diversity, endangered species, and habitat management as their three most important natural resource issues (Biddle et al 1995). Other studies of professional opinion have equally highlighted the need for greater emphasis on the human dimensions of wildlife management (Cutler 1982;Cannon et al 1996).…”