providing partner-based solutions to conservation challenges Navigation

providing partner-based solutions to conservation challenges

  • About Us
    • About PLJV
    • Our Landscape
    • Bird Habitats
    • Management Board
    • Our Team
    • Jobs
    • Contact Us
  • Grasslands
    • About Grasslands
    • Woody Plant Encroachment
    • Grassland Goals
    • Conservation Strategies
  • Playas
    • About Playas
    • How Playas Work
    • Groundwater Recharge
    • Water for Communities
    • Playa Science
    • Playa Goals
    • Playa Maps and Tools
    • Playa Restoration Guide
    • Renewable Energy Tools
  • Wetlands
    • About Wetlands
    • Wetland Goals
  • Resources
    • Bird Data
    • Conservation Planning
    • Habitat Conservation
    • Playa Science
    • Playa Maps and Tools
    • Renewable Energy Tools
    • Capacity Grant Program
    • NAWCA Grants
  • News
    • News Stories
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Playa Post Newsletter
  • Search
  • About Us
    • About PLJV
    • Our Landscape
    • Bird Habitats
    • Management Board
    • Our Team
    • Jobs
    • Contact Us
  • Grasslands
    • About Grasslands
    • Woody Plant Encroachment
    • Grassland Goals
    • Conservation Strategies
  • Playas
    • About Playas
    • How Playas Work
    • Groundwater Recharge
    • Water for Communities
    • Playa Science
    • Playa Goals
    • Playa Maps and Tools
    • Playa Restoration Guide
    • Renewable Energy Tools
  • Wetlands
    • About Wetlands
    • Wetland Goals
  • Resources
    • Bird Data
    • Conservation Planning
    • Habitat Conservation
    • Playa Science
    • Playa Maps and Tools
    • Renewable Energy Tools
    • Capacity Grant Program
    • NAWCA Grants
  • News
    • News Stories
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Playa Post Newsletter
  • Search

News

Home News Social Science Specialist to Focus on Woody Plant Management
Photo by Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association

Social Science Specialist to Focus on Woody Plant Management

July 15, 2022 Grasslands, Working Lands, Kansas, Oklahoma

Ryan Roberts, who joined the PLJV staff as a social science specialist in mid-July, will spend much of his time for the first few years focused on a new NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant project that integrates social science and communications to inform brush management in six conservation districts in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Ryan will lead the social science portion of the project, aimed at understanding producer decision-making related to invasive woody plant encroachment, and work with communications staff to integrate that information into targeted communication messages and products that address those barriers and aim to increase participation in management actions.

“I am really excited to get into the data collection and analysis, and am also looking forward to meeting partners and forging strong relationships,” Ryan said.

Following a similar process used to understand landowner attitudes about playas and playa conservation, this project will help us learn about the barriers and motivations for brush management, which will inform the development and evaluation of communication messages to promote brush management. Throughout the project, we will be working with local partners to deliver these messages to producers through targeted marketing communications campaigns and producer-focused outreach events.

Receiving a PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, Ryan’s dissertation fieldwork focused on assessing the role of scientific evidence in collaborative approaches to water and wildfire management throughout the Intermountain West. He believes that understanding stakeholder beliefs around phenomena occurring in the natural world is critical to ensuring successful conservation work.

“Having that human element can help us to better understand the issue holistically and ensure the success of these programs in the long run,” Ryan said.

Dive Deeper

  • Social Science & Communications to Inform Brush Management National CIG
  • Meet Ryan Roberts

Contact Us

Playa Lakes Joint Venture is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 84-1623284).

PO Box 957 Erie, CO 80516


Send Message
© 2023 Playa Lakes Joint Venture
Website By Skyhound Internet

Subscribe to the playa post

Get regular updates, stories about conservation, tools to help with conservation planning , and information about events, grants and more. Issues come out about every 8 weeks.

SUBSCRIBE NOW
PWFK
PlayasWorkForNM
TxPCI_Light_Logo