Fort Collins Science Center
Social and Economic Analysis (SEA)
The Nation’s economic and social development hinges on healthy and productive natural systems. The Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) is a leader in conducting economic and social science in the context of natural resource management decision-making. To conserve our nation’s natural resources and sustain a vibrant economy for present and future generations, FORT economists and social scientists develop and deliver relevant information used by resource managers to maximize and sustain benefits the American public realize from our Nation’s natural resources. FORT social scientists work to streamline institutional and social arrangements that facilitate the successful implementation of management plans and policies. Integrating people, economies, and social systems into natural decisions is inherently interdisciplinary and requires working across economic, social, and natural sciences. Economists and social scientists at the FORT provide unique capability in USGS by leading projects at the cutting edge of conducting interdisciplinary science in this complex context.
The SEA Branch is comprised of four science themes that work collaboratively and independently:
Browse Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) science related to:
Agricultural Practices
Environmentally responsible land management has direct and indirect implications for wildlife, water quality, and air quality in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems far beyond their extent. Agricultural land use accounts for over 50 percent of the surface area of the contiguous United States. Public recognition that social, aesthetic, and recreational values enhance the traditional...
Economics and Ecosystem Services
Federal policymakers and land managers are accountable to the public for how they use public resources and for the outcomes of policy and management decisions. Through a variety of economic analyses and custom modeling, SEA economists evaluate how investments and management decisions affect individuals, local communities, and society as a whole.
Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Human Dimensions in the context of natural resource management refers to understanding attitudes, preferences, and behaviors of American citizens in order to improve conservation and management of public lands and waters managed by the Department of the Interior (DOI). Human Dimensions at the FORT also includes understanding the users and applications of data and technology in the context of...
Policy Analysis and Decision Support
SEA Social Scientists investigate the process of environmental decision making and how stakeholder engagement strategies, policies, institutions, and decision support tools influence management outcomes.
Negotiation Skills for Natural Resource Professionals: Building a Foundation
The Fort Collins Science Center's Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) Branch has been conducting and publishing research on multi-party natural resource negotiation since the 1980s. This research has led to the development of the basic negotiation training courses. This course is a mix of lecture, hands-on training, and discussion. Please join us and other natural resource professionals facing ...