Contributions Sought For Park Science

Published online last July, the Park Science summer 2008 edition arrives in print later this week in mailboxes around the National Park System. This is the first full-color issue and marks a shift in production, design, and content. The editor is planning several issues for the near future and is encouraging broader participation of park and regional staffs in proposing ideas and writing articles.

“One of our goals for improving Park Science,” says editor Jeff Selleck, “is to identify and develop articles on topics of high interest with the help of park staffs. We encourage greater participation of field resource managers and researchers in identifying, planning, and drafting high-interest articles, especially features and the shorter departments.”  

A complete guide to article types and submission guidelines for authors is available on the Park Science Web site at www.nature.nps.gov/ParkScience/guidance.cfm. A synopsis of near-future article needs and article types follow.

Spring 2009

This will be a regular edition. Articles are needed for the following sections – Field Moment, Science Notes, At Your Service, Park Operations. Contact the editor to discuss your idea before submitting a draft. The deadline is January 31st.

Summer 2009

The theme of this issue will be soundscape-related issues and research in the national parks. Contributions are being solicited for articles for two sections – Science Notes and Field Moment. Science Notes are short entries (250 to 500 words) by park staff about a soundscape-related management issue or research project at a unit of the National Park System. Several of these articles will be selected for inclusion in the special issue. Field Moment is a photograph with a caption highlighting a manager’s or researcher’s field experience regarding soundscapes. See article categories below for more information. Send drafts to the editor by e-mail at jeff_selleck@nps.gov. The deadline is January 31st.

Future Issues

Looking further ahead, prospective authors should address inquiries, ideas/proposals, and drafts to Jeff Selleck, Editor, Park Science, via email (jeff_selleck@nps.gov), phone (303-969-2147), or fax (303-987-6704). Articles are sought in the following categories:

• Park Science has introduced a new department called “Field Moment,” which shares an intriguing photograph and brief story of a resource manager’s or researcher’s personal, scientific experience in conducting research or a resource management project in a national park.
• “Park Operations” shares scientific applications in interpretation, visitor and resource protection, facility management, and other operations.
• “Science Notes” presents condensed articles on national programs, new technologies and methodologies, discoveries, preliminary findings, partnerships, and other scientific applications.
• “Information Crossfile” features brief descriptions of books, journal articles, exhibits, Web sites, and other information sources relevant for natural resource management, while “NPS in Print” details the same kinds of information written by NPS authors.
• “Profiles” shares a biography or interview with NPS or research staff who have interesting and useful perspectives on applying science in park management.
• “State of Science” synthesizes what is known about important research and resource management topics and how that knowledge is being used in park management.
• “InFocus” compiles several brief, related articles into a discrete section to illustrate a theme, program, or area of science and resource management.
• “At Your Service” shares announcements and updates about NPS personnel, milestones, and events in resource management. Articles/blurbs are science/resource management-oriented and may address policy directives; funding opportunities and deadlines; initiatives; award winners and other celebrations; legislation and executive orders; newly hired, retired, and deceased staff, new park designations, boundary expansions, and interesting statistics; condensed partnership- or people-oriented reports; and resource stewardship plans.
• Case studies and research reports are the more traditional project-oriented articles describing research activities and the implications of their findings for park management.