As natural resource managers, especially those in the freshwater arena, continue to try and do more with less, they increasingly need access to the latest science in an efficient manner.
The Flow Monitoring and Evaluation Research Program (Flow-MER) is the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office’s on-ground program to aid scientists, water managers and communities in understanding how fish, birds, vegetation and river connectivity are responding to Commonwealth Environmental Water. Consequently, the Flow-MER program produces a copious scientific output. Packaging this information in an accessible and understanding manner for use by a range audiences, while respecting the scientific rigour which sits behind the results, is a priority for Flow-MER.
At the Australian River Restoration Centre (ARRC), we work to make science engaging and accessible for water managers and communities using a range of media and communication techniques. We believe that this partnership has strengthened the program's ability to aid water managers.
Through this approach, we have learnt that the science-communications interface is not ‘the painful’ or ‘optional’ piece of the project. Rather, they are a necessary step to ensure adaptive management can occur, as it is the crucial link between science and on-ground action. Not appropriately valuing the science-communication interface could risk maladaptive or adverse management decisions.