BOZEMAN, Mont.--Decision-making can seem straight forward to a scientist, says a Montana State University-Bozeman researcher who has studied decision-making as it relates to natural resources and ecosystems.
"As scientists, we like to think that if we tackle an environmental or natural resources problem, define the problem, do good research and find the answer and solutions, that we have done our job and somebody will take our solution and go out and do good things," says Rick Lawrence, assistant professor of remote sensing. He works in the Mountain Research Center and the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at MSU.
"The concept is pretty straight forward," Lawrence said. "You do good work and make a difference."
But two factors figure in the mix and make it more complicated: public values and the way that decision-makers deal with the public.
"You spend a lot of time coming up with the most scientifically defensible answer, throw it out there and sometimes nobody's happy," Lawrence said. "Our research shows us why this is. How we make the decision can be at least as important to people as what decisions we make."
Although Lawrence and others did this research in Oregon, he said the need to deal with public involvement in a proper way applies to natural resource topics in other regions as well.
"What we have learned regarding how to involve the public is certainly important for issues facing us in this area, such as bison/brucellosis and wolf reintroduction," he said.
His studies show that people want to be heard. They want to have a voice.
"Most people don't expect that their position will always be accepted, but they want the opportunity to express their opinions," Lawrence said. "At least as important, they want a sense that decision-makers are considering their opinions. They need feedback."
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Contact: Rick Lawrence
rick@peak.mrc.montana.edu
406-994-5409
Montana State University
17-May-1999