An adult and child examine salt marsh plants and materials along the edge of a marsh.
THE PARTNERSHIP
Where Science Meets People

The Human Dimensions and Public Engagement Team (HDPET) serves as a forum for social science research, skills development, public engagement, and information sharing across the NAWMP partnership. The HDPET focuses on human dimensions efforts that add real value to the NAWMP enterprise — helping the partnership better understand the people who support waterfowl conservation and how to grow that support.

Explore the Plan

Roles & Responsibilities

From Insight to Action

Human dimensions and public engagement are increasingly recognized as critical functions in modern waterfowl conservation. The HDPET brings social science expertise and public engagement strategies to NAWMP implementation, helping partners understand and grow the communities that support waterfowl and wetland conservation. 

  • Engages social and biological scientists to conduct baseline assessments, establish objectives, and implement conservation monitoring programs
  • Supports strategic coordination of human dimensions activities among state, federal, and nongovernmental partners
  • Develops standardized survey tools and promotes adaptive, experimental designs to accelerate learning across the partnership
  • Designs and implements public engagement activities at scales that allow measuring, learning, and applying lessons across the broader NAWMP enterprise
  • Develops and highlights models for effective communication and public engagement relevant to waterfowl conservation
"People fuel the economic and political engine that drives habitat conservation activities for waterfowl in North America."
— 2024 NAWMP Update
Young students look across wetland habitat from behind a fence, with one student using binoculars.
Students observe waterfowl at Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge.
Anna Blades / USFWS