What does this research mean for the field?

Effective interagency collaboration in natural resource management is fundamentally a social and institutional practice grounded in trust, cultural awareness, and adaptive capacity, rather than merely a procedural function. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify key barriers, enablers, and social mechanisms that influence effective interagency collaboration across federal, Tribal, and partner natural resource management organizations.

August 31, 2026Society & Natural Resources

Beyond Coordination: Toward a Social Science Framework for Interagency Collaboration in Federal Natural Resource Management

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Authors

DHDavid H. HuUnited States Geological Survey KPKevin L. PopeUnited States Geological Survey NCNicholas W. ColeUnited States Geological Survey

Discussion

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Implication

Participatory qualitative study identifies institutional barriers and enablers in federal fisheries management, suggesting collaboration requires social trust alongside procedural alignment.

Key Points

To identify key barriers, enablers, and social mechanisms that influence effective interagency collaboration across federal, Tribal, and partner natural resource management organizations.
Conducted a community-based participatory research study analyzing structured qualitative data from the 2023 Federal Agencies Fisheries Summit.
Engaged 121 participants (N=121) representing federal agencies, Tribal governments, and partner conservation organizations.
Identified primary structural barriers to interagency coordination, including role ambiguity, fragmented governance, and persistent underinvestment in relationship building.
Identified critical institutional enablers, specifically the deployment of dedicated liaison roles, shared vision and planning tools, and active communities of practice.
Demonstrated qualitatively that collaborative governance succeeds through relational practices such as mutual trust, cultural awareness, and adaptive capacity rather than procedural mandates alone.

Cite This Study

Hu et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a956cd5f20e493292a74eb8 https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2026.2720886

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Implication

Participatory qualitative study identifies institutional barriers and enablers in federal fisheries management, suggesting collaboration requires social trust alongside procedural alignment.

Beyond Coordination: Toward a Social Science Framework for Interagency Collaboration in Federal Natural Resource Management

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Beyond Coordination: Toward a Social Science Framework for Interagency Collaboration in Federal Natural Resource Management

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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Also Consider