USFWS/NCTC Human Dimensions in Conservation

Being relevant in our conservation work requires that we understand the demographic changes in the US. In this podcast, Dr. Steve Murdock, Rice University professor and former director of the U.S. Census Bureau, shares some key demographic and socioeconomic trends we are seeing in the US and why a fundamental understanding of these trends is an important part of ensuring successful conservation.

In this podcast, Aaron Mize, Deputy Refuge Manager at Bosque del Apache and Natalie Sexton, Chief of Human Dimensions Branch/NWRS, discuss the relevance of the human dimension to refuges and their management. To help natural resource practitioners better identify and address the human dimension, they describe the social science behind topics such as behavior change, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement and provide examples of applying these concepts to natural resource management.

Natalie Sexton, Chief of Human Dimensions Branch/ NWRS, interviews Charlie Pelizza, Refuge Manager of Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area about the human dimensions of landscape conservation and planning. Charlie shares lessons learned through his experiences in leading the establishment of this refuge.