Program on the Environment

With strong communication, the National Park Service (NPS) has the ability to inform the public on conservation issues around fish management and regulations. Public involvement with fish conservation depends on effective communication by National Park entities. In the 17 National Parks surveyed in this study, there is a lack of continuity in communication between the NPS and the public. My internship with the NPS at Mount Rainier National Park (MORA) focused on collecting data for long term wild fish studies. Aside from field work, I was tasked with improving communication of fish information and regulations. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis based on Bielak et al.’s (2008) themes of strong communication for scientific governmental organizations. Bielak et al. (2008) suggests that scientific based governmental entities provide raw data, leading edge science, general and informed layperson interpretations, and advice for action. The goal of the meta-analysis was to understand the methods of communication that the surveyed National Parks use. Analysis results showed that the least represented themes were advise for action, raw data, and leading-edge science. The meta-analysis informed the fish webpages and supplementary fish identification card that I created for MORA. Understanding and implementing the elements required for effective science communication in governmental organizations can lead to a better-informed public around fish conservation. With well communicated knowledge on fish information and regulations, the public can become stewards of the environment, inside and outside of National Park boundaries.