Dear non-govt scientists - when you are working on a review/opinion piece about a topic involving gov't science, it is a good idea to reach out to gov't sci colleagues before finalizing/publishing... for a few reasons... a few thoughts ...

1 - the thing that you are recommending might already exist, even in part. Therefore, you might get to learn about a great real-life case study that already exists and backs up your points. You might also get additional ideas on how to improve your recommendations specifically

2 - if something is being planned, it can be useful to make recommendations about specific aspects, to help gov't scientists pushing for the creations of the thing drive the final formation to include specific ideas and concepts. This is a great way to influence #scipoli

Given that I work in #wildlife #health, and the ongoing science on this topic using a #OneHealth lens, I have seen this done incredibly well over the last year- e.g. papers that use real life case studies that exemplify work that is being done and to look at real world challenges

I have also seen this done incredibly poorly over the last year. Where the final published pieces are shared with colleagues, and the recommendations are all things that are already happening... making the paper pretty useless from a #scipoli perspective, i.e. no new insights

And even if gov't scientists for some reason can't be on the final product/product/paper, having them aware of the work, and understanding the concerns and motives of the work can be USEFUL!

Because as a quick reminder, if you are advocating for more gov't involvement/science/funding/resources/consultation/dialogue/co-management etc. etc. etc., it is the gov't scientists that are often on the funding/decision-making frontline talking up the science to others