Papers of Robert K. Davis

Collection

Identifier: WRKD

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Papers of Robert K. Davis consists of documents dated 1926-2000, with the bulk falling from 1980-1999. The collection contains papers, notes, background documents, and publications related primarily to projects Davis was involved with in the 1980s and 1990s. While the collection does not fully document Davis's work during that time period, it does reflect some of his research, writing, presentations, and advisory and other professional activities. More than half of the collection pertains to water-related materials, including his California work on the Imperial Irrigation District and the Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, and his Colorado work on a salinity study in Sager's Wash. Much of the remainder of the collection reflects his studies on emphasis on hunting, wildlife and wildlife management. Davis's involvement in some international projects, particularly in Africa and Australia, is also documented.

Dates

Creation: 1926-2000
Creation: Majority of material found within 1980-1999

Creator

Davis, Robert K. (Person)

Restrictions on Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection. However, it is stored off-site, so advance notice is required.

Restrictions on Use

Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.

Biography

Robert K. Davis, now retired from the University of Colorado-Boulder's Environment and Behavior Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, has focused his research on the economics of natural resource management, with emphasis on water resources, hunting, wildlife and wildlife management.

Davis was born in Richwood, Ohio, on July 18, 1928. He received his B.S. in agriculture from Ohio State University in 1950, his M.Sc. in agronomy also from Ohio in 1951, his M.P.A. from Harvard University in 1957 and his Ph.D. in economics also from Harvard in 1963. Over the years he worked for several institutions, including serving as assistant director for economics at the Office of Policy Analysis, U.S. Department of Interior (1976-1985), and economist, Division of Wildlife, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (1985-1987). Beginning in 1988 he served the Institute of Behavior Science, University of Colorado-Boulder as Senior Associate. He also held several visiting appointments, including visiting scholar at the University of California, Davis, visiting professor at Ohio State University, and visiting fellow in Australia. Davis contributed to projects in a number of countries, among them Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Davis married Marcia L. Tostlebe in 1952. They have three children.

Extent

9 linear feet (6 record cartons)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

The materials in the collection were very roughly grouped by project or topic, and these were made into series divided by subtopic.

The collection consists of 4 series in 6 boxes:

Series 1: Professional activities, 1970-1997 and undated

Series 2: Riparian and water issues/projects, 1926-1996 and undated

Series 3: Hunters, hunter access, and ranching for wildlife, 1948-1999 and undated

Series 4: International activities, 1992-2000 and undated

Acquisition

The Papers of Robert K. Davis was acquired by Colorado State University Libraries in 2003 from Charles W. Howe.

Separated Collections

The Papers of Robert K. Davis was received together with the Papers of Charles W. Howe as one collection. The Howe and Davis papers were separated and the collections processed as distinct units.

Processing

Processing was completed in November 2006 and included removal of all metal spring clips and rubber bands. Duplicates of documents with more than two copies were removed from the collection, and a number of reprints and publications not pertaining directly to Davis also were removed. The collection was re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes.