RESEARCH LEARNING CENTERS: YOUR GUIDES TO RESEARCH IN YOUR NATIONAL PARKS

In 2001, the US Congress funded a new program to encourage research for science-informed decision making in the management of our National Parks: Research Learning Centers. From an initial five centers this program has grown to 20 nation-wide. These centers typically include a research coordinator and an education coordinator whose jobs are to encourage and facilitate scientific research within the parks they serve and to provide and facilitate educational outlets for the research. Research facilitation can include seed grants, access to housing within the parks, laboratory space, arranging transportation to remote sites, letters of support for grants, and assistance with permit applications. Educational outlets can include providing interns to assist with the research, holding teacher trainings, hosting public forums, publishing popular publications, and maintaining web pages. In addition to describing Research Learning Centers, the author will discuss examples of geologic research desired by north central and eastern parks to help park managers.