Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 1:30 PM
447

Science, lies, and video tape

Jane C. Marks, Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, P.O. Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Scientists thrive on details and complexity.  The public wants a simple story.  Managers want decisions.  No wonder communication is poor.   Using Fossil Creek, Arizona as a case study I will talk about the challenges and opportunities we faced developing an outreach program surrounding a dam decommissioning and exotic fish removal.  Specifically, I will describe 1) producing the PBS documentary “A River Reborn”, 2) publishing popular articles including “Down go the dams” (Scientific American) and 3) disseminating research results to state and federal agencies and environmental groups.  I will speak to the challenges of distilling data into sound bites, disseminating both popular and unpopular results, and tools for insuring that your work is not misinterpreted.  


Web Page: documentaries, popular press, stakeholders

See more of Special Session - Community Outreach Activities and Service Learning Projects Focusing on Freshwater Sciences
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See more of The Nabs 56th Annual Meeting (25-28 May, 2008)