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Success Stories2018-08-21T15:16:40+00:00

What is Human Dimensions?

Human dimensions is a field of study that applies the social sciences to examine research questions that have implications for wildlife conservation efforts. Combining expertise from the fields of human dimensions and ornithology can improve bird conservation approaches and outcomes. It can lead to a better understanding of why people implement conservation actions or support funding for habitat conservation. It can also help inform where actions should be taken to benefit birds.

Integrating Social and Ecological Understanding Increases Success

Human dimensions research can maximize limited financial and staff capacity by supporting the design of conservation programs that work with and for people. Such information can aid practitioners in determining the best ways to motivate and engage citizens to care about and support bird conservation.

People, Birds, Conservation.

The greater bird conservation community identified a need for human dimensions success stories to be shared to communicate the utility and importance of integrating social science in bird conservation. In 2018, we conducted a call for success stories and received stories from across North America from Canada to the Caribbean. In the map to the right, we’ve highlighted 13 stories from this inaugural request for stories that showcase the sheer breadth and depth of social science integration within the bird conservation community. These stories utilize a range of social science disciplines, involve a plethora of organizations and cover a diversity of bird species and habitats!

» View the Success Stories Story Map

Bird Conservation Success Stories

Human behavior increases Purple Martin Success

Purple Martins rely on nest boxes due to loss of natural nesting cavities. Therefore, recruitment and retention of nest box "landlords" is important. Human dimensions research provided insights for attracting and retaining landlords which increased nesting success.

Satisfaction, not Payment, Drives Farmers to Conserve Mountain Plover

In parts of their breeding range, Mountain Plovers nest on farmland, so marking nests can protect them during farming operations. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and partners studied farmers' motivations for marking nests and found that satisfaction was often more important than paying farmers to mark nests.

Human Geographic Data Helps Prioritize Conservation on Landscape

The Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes Region Joint Venture has developed a decision-support tool that integrates human development and demographic data to help prioritize wetland conservation efforts. Using this tool to target habitat projects will maximize potential shared benefits to people and birds in the region.

Making Shorebird Hunting Sustainable in the Caribbean

Biological research suggests migratory shorebirds may be hunted unsustainably in the Caribbean and northern South American. Human dimensions research can help conservationists work with hunters and policymakers to reduce hunting to sustainable levels while maintaining cultural practices and sustaining livelihoods.

Effectively Engaging Land Trusts in Bird Conservation

Land trusts are extremely important for conserving bird habitat on private lands, yet few bird conservation organizations are partnering with approximately 1700 land trusts in the U.S. To remedy this disconnect, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology worked with the Land Trust Alliance and human dimensions researchers to examine how land trusts were addressing conservation issues and how to better engage land trusts in bird conservation efforts.

Landowner Survey Changes Playa Lakes Joint Venture’s Approach to Playa Conservation

Playas are the most numerous wetlands across the Western Great Plains and are important for both wildlife and people. Since this region is 97% privately owned, playa conservation must occur on private lands. In 2006, the Playa Lakes Joint Venture contracted with DJ Case and Associates to conduct a survey of landowners to determine baseline knowledge of playas and interest in enrolling in conservation programs or implementing restoration practices.

Integrating Human Dimensions into Joint Venture Planning

The Central Valley Joint Venture incorporated human dimensions information into their implementation plan: 1) to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the conservation strategies described in the plan, and 2) to identify human dimensions research needs for the JV to address in the future.

First National Duck Hunter Survey Informs Hunting Policy

In 2005, the first ever national duck hunter survey was conducted with over 10,000 duck hunters. This survey provided insight into duck hunters' satisfaction and harvest preferences, contributed to federal considerations in establishing duck hunting regulations, and established a baseline for additional nationwide human dimensions research.

Social Science Research Improves Visitor Education Program to Conserve Threatened Marbled Murrelets

Visitors inadvertently leaving small amounts of food debris led to an increase in Steller's Jay populations close to campgrounds at Redwoods National and State Parks (RNSP). This increase in the jay population led to heightened jay predation on threatened Marbled Murrelets. To help reduce this predation, RNSP staff worked with social science researchers to conduct a communications study to evaluate current visitor communication messaging and develop improved management strategies.

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