PARENT SESSION
Special Session - Technology Transfer and Extension in Forest Landscape Ecology: What, to Whom and How? Chair(s): Perera, Ajith¹, ¹ Ontario Forest Research Institute, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Thursday, April 1, 2004 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Apollo Room 2

Forest landscape ecology has evolved and matured to a point where we can begin to confidently transfer some science and tools for forest policy makers and practitioners. A substantial body of information, knowledge, and technology has accumulated during the last 10-15 years.
Some forest/land management agencies, forest companies, and
NGOs have recognized the importance of landscape ecology, and are making efforts to incorporate principles of LE and tools in to their management planning. However, they face many obstacles in this task.
Technology transfer and extension is a relatively alien topic to forest landscape ecologists, and there has been very little dialogue on this topic among landscape ecology professional meetings.

Fundamentals of Transfer and Extension. ^*REED, A. SCOTT , ¹ Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

ABSTRACT- Effective technology transfer considers providing information with appropriate consideration of desired outcomes, learner attributes, and features of educational design. Three general categories of factors are important. The first defines the philosophical foundation on which program development occurs. A second category includes the institutional environment described by empowering principles. The third category emphasizes features of program development. Key points about the philosophy regarding contemporary extension include beginning with client/learner needs, providing a source of unbiased, credible, research-based information, systematically designing interdisciplinary information, behaving with a long-term commitment, and maintaining organizational capacity to change and adapt. Important institutional factors include a mission-framed dedication to the application of research-based knowledge. This allows learners to consider alternatives and consequences towards addressing their issues and problems. Stability of funds over relatively long periods of time allows staff to make durable commitments to clients, and allows levering of base funds through seeking of extramural resources to address emerging or critical needs. Recruiting and rewarding skilled staff requires skills in 1) technical and appropriate disciplinary areas, 2) educational design, and 3) interpersonal communication. Development of specific programs are most effective if needs are systematically evaluated, principles of adult education are used, collaborative relationships sought, and advance planning is given towards monitoring and assessing outcomes for the purposed of accountability to stakeholders. These fundamentals are known to help achieve success in delivering new technologies to those who have the need, interest and dedication to implement them.

KEY WORDS: technology transfer, outreach, extension, application, education