Knowledge Exchange

The knowledge exchange and technology extension (KETE) program of the Sustainable Forest Management Network (SFMN) is designed to promote the transfer and implementation of new information and research results to Network partners. Knowledge exchange in the context of the Network refers to a two-way exchange of information; information needs and research priorities from SFMN partner organizations to the Network and research results from the Network to our partners. This two-way exchange enables the SFMN to design a research program and develop extension products that meet the needs of our partners as they develop policies, management strategies and operational practices to ensure Canada's forests are managed sustainably.

How is SFMN addressing Knowledge Exchange?

The SFMN's knowledge exchange program focuses on two key areas. The first is the synthesis, integration and implementation of results from research completed in the first 8 years of the Network while, secondly, working with current research teams to develop new tools and extension products as part of on-going projects. Since there are many ways to promote knowledge transfer, the Network is utilizing a variety of strategies. Ideally, knowledge exchange occurs throughout the SFMN research funding cycle. This starts at the proposal development stage where researchers and partners work collectively to frame research questions based on knowledge gaps or information needs of the partners. This leads to the development of an appropriate experimental design to answer the research questions, followed by project implementation, completion and delivery of research results that can be readily applied by partners.

 

Knowledge Exchange Strategy 2005-2009

Click here to download a PDF document of the strategy (3.5 MB).

Three primary strategies have evolved to facilitate knowledge exchange and the application of SFMN-funded research throughout the Network and beyond:

• Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Frameworks
  
• Enhanced Researcher and Partner Linkages
  
• Research Synthesis Reports and Research Notes series 

 

Sustainable Forest Management Frameworks

SFM Frameworks are strategic documents developed by partner organizations to:

• Define sustainable forest management for their organization, focusing on the strategies that will be used to complete the transition from a sustained yield to SFM approach,
  
• Enhance the ability to receive, adapt and implement new knowledge or management strategies within their organization, and
  
• Identify information gaps, uncertainties or risks that can be addressed through the development and application of SFM Network knowledge exchange tools or as future research priorities.

Several SFMN partner organizations are currently working on the development of a SFM framework including Alberta Pacific Forest Industries, LP Canada, Tolko Industries, Tembec and the Little Red River Tall Cree Nation.

 

Enhanced Researcher and Partner Linkages

The primary goal of this portion of the Knowledge Exchange Strategy is to provide opportunities for direct, two-way transfer of knowledge between partners and researchers. These opportunities allow:

• Knowledge exchange that enables both parties to better understand each others needs and environments,
  
• Collaborative involvement in the design of research projects and deliverables based on partners knowledge gaps and information needs which facilitates the application of results once the project is completed, and
  
• Direct information transfer between researchers and partners throughout the research project cycle which promotes the cooperative development of alternative practices or policy recommendations. An example of activities related to this strategy include an annual round of networking workshops that provide opportunities for researchers and partners to meet and discuss research priorities, and the SFMN requirement to have partners involved in the development of research project proposals.

 

SFM Network Research Synthesis Series

A series of synthesis and implementation documents has been developed to summarize, integrate and develop new decision support tools, management systems or guidelines based on SFM Network research results. These documents are intended to provide resource managers with new information in a form they can readily use to develop alternative management strategies or confirm that current planning and operational practices are meeting SFM objectives.

These documents are available on the SFM Network website under Publications.  Visit the Guidelines to Authors for information on writing and submitting synthesis reports to the SFM Network.

 

SFM Network Research Note Series

The Knowledge Exchange program has developed an extension document series entitled SFM Network Research Notes. These Notes are designed to be short (4-6 pages in length) syntheses of various SFM related topics with a focus on research implementation, alternative practices and management recommendations based on Network research. The target audiences for the Notes will be dictated somewhat by topic but are generally intended for 3 specific audiences: senior directors/senior managers, forest managers (biologists, foresters, planners) and technical staff (field technicians, operations supervisors).

These documents are technical in nature and provide short syntheses of issues of priority identified by our Partners, excerpts from the SFM Network book, current or past research projects and some of the longer knowledge exchange synthesis documents that have been published to date.

These documents are available on the SFM Network website under Publications.  Visit the Guidelines to Authors for information on writing and submitting research notes to the SFM Network.

 

For more information on the SFM Network Knowledge Exchange program, contact:

Margaret Donnelly
Knowledge Exchange Program Manager
Sustainable Forest Management Network
Phone: (902) 837-1090
Email:  margaret.donnelly@sfmnetwork.ca