SCIENCE IN THE BLM
Efforts to develop more complete knowledge of subjects required for the solution of social, economic, biological, political, technical or physical challenges to the business of public land management fall under the umbrella of science. Science subjects most common to the BLM's business fall in these categories:
- Applied Sciences and Technology
- e.g. architecture, engineering, acoustics/sound, environmental arts/visuals
- Biological/Life Sciences
- e.g. botany, biology, ecology, fisheries, forestry, rangelands, wildlife biology
- Earth/Physical Sciences
- e.g. atmospheric sciences, geology, hydrology and water, soil science, paleontology
- Public Administration and Political Sciences
- e.g. environmental management, lands and realty, planning and NEPA, transportation management, tribes and international relations
- Social Sciences
- e.g. anthropology/culture, archaeology, economics, sociology, recreation and leisure, subsistence
The 4 W's and H of Science in the BLM
WHAT: Science efforts develop more complete knowledge of subjects.
WHO: Persons who apply expertise in the study of social, natural, physical, or technical subjects, and persons acting on knowledge gained are participating in science. A full range of disciplines within the biophysical and socioeconomic sciences are used to implement science within the BLM.
WHEN: Science occurs in process of enhancing knowledge for the clarification or resolution of specific questions/problems facing public land decisonmakers. Science happens during information development (inventory and monitoring efforts), syntheses of knowledge (assessment and evaluation efforts), and as part of applying findings (management actions).
WHY: Science-based knowledge is critical for supporting land management decisions that achieve the BLM mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
HOW: Science is a process of learning. Efforts incorporating a systematic study of observation and/or experiment that builds upon an organized body of knowledge on a particular topic embody science.
Organizational Support for BLM Science
Scientific expertise is dispersed throughout the entire bureau. The BLM National Science Coordinator and others in the Washington Office provide scientific advice and coordination to the bureau, apply relevant science to specific BLM program areas, and conduct and support national-level projects. In state and field offices, scientists and resource staff members with scientific backgrounds provide expertise to their specific BLM offices, focusing on interpreting and applying available science, rather than conducting scientific research. At the National Operations Center, the Division of Resource Services houses a group of senior technical specialists who support state and field offices and conduct some scientific research. The BLM outsources a substantial amount of scientific work to partners, including local, tribal, and state governments, other federal agencies, academic institutions, professional societies, industry groups, nongovernmental organizations, citizen groups, and contractors. Two of the BLM’s science groups that coordinate, prioritize, and communicate the BLM’s scientific endeavors include the Core Science Forum and the National Science Committee.