The long-term effect of this report greatly depends on whether or not its principal recommendation is implemented: establishment of a coordinator function to facilitate execution of the prioritized research agenda. The coordinator(s), in addition to fulfilling the above-listed functions, will play a much needed role in assisting local land entities in achieving their land management goals efficiently and cost-effectively. Local preserve managers face the challenge of making daily decisions that are potentially very costly in terms of dollars as well as the natural resources under their charge. They can be greatly assisted in their ground-breaking efforts through information sharing with researchers and managers of other preserves, and cost-sharing in gathering information of common value to managers region-wide. Many of the most prioritized management questions will benefit from field investigations outside the specific locations where they might be applied, such as information on recreation impacts on habitat. Other topics require pooling of resources over broad geographic areas because of the long-term nature or relative expense of collecting sufficient data. The coordinator function is intended to facilitate these kinds of cost-saving strategies. Rather than an added bureaucratic layer, or command and control research management, the role is conceived as an available resource to facilitate managers in finding the best way to obtain information they need.

Establishment of the coordinator function will ensure ongoing maintenance of a clearinghouse for data that will provide three important running lists: 1) of relevant past, ongoing, and planned research and research results, 2) of managers' information needs, activities, priorities, and lessons learned and 3) of the research still needed to address those needs. These will change over time, and the report will be revised to reflect that evolution. The lists will be made available on a World Wide Web home page so that they will be living documents to help coordinate and guide research and management efforts. Once again, where and how this function will be realized is a decision for the resource management agencies th make.

The report also will provide a blueprint and a rationale for the more formalized structure and process recommended. Through publication and briefings, the findings and recommendations of the Core Group will be communicated to the public and private sector decision makers with a stake in the success of the NCCP program and the resources to further support the effort.