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Randy Olson, scientist-turned-filmmaker, and Cassie Gurbisz from COSEE Coastal Trends discuss the Observing the Ocean video.
Telling stories to communicate science 
COSEE Coastal trends frequently uses videos to illustrate how people are connected to the natural world and scientific discovery. Last week, at the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) meeting in Portland Oregon, COSEE Coastal Trends staff had the opportunity to share their work and learn new story telling techniques with scientist-turned-filmmaker, Randy Olson. Cassie Gurbisz submitted the Observing the Ocean video she wrote, edited, and filmed to Olson's workshop session. The video received good reviews and workshop participants offered suggestions for enhancing the story telling components. COSEE Coastal Trends and IAN will continue to explore how to use stories to make personal connections and communicate science.
COSEE Coastal trends frequently uses videos to illustrate how people are connected to the natural world and scientific discovery. Last week, at the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) meeting in Portland Oregon, COSEE Coastal Trends staff had the opportunity to share their work and learn new story telling techniques with scientist-turned-filmmaker, Randy Olson. Cassie Gurbisz submitted the Observing the Ocean video she wrote, edited, and filmed to Olson's workshop session. The video received good reviews and workshop participants offered suggestions for enhancing the story telling components. COSEE Coastal Trends and IAN will continue to explore how to use stories to make personal connections and communicate science.
IAN staff meeting with National Park Service staff at Monocacy National Battlefield.
NPS workshops on natural resource assessments and lessons learned
On January 27, IAN staff Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers, and Jane Thomas met with natural resource staff from Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, along with staff from the Inventory & Monitoring Program of the National Park Service (NPS) National Capital Region Network. The workshop focused on the outcomes from the ongoing natural resources condition assessments for these three cultural resource parks. An outcome from the workshop was the production of two 'lessons learned' brochures, based on some overarching themes and results from the assessments. These brochures were presented at the NPS Water Resources Division meeting at Fort Collins, Colorado.
On January 27, IAN staff Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers, and Jane Thomas met with natural resource staff from Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, along with staff from the Inventory & Monitoring Program of the National Park Service (NPS) National Capital Region Network. The workshop focused on the outcomes from the ongoing natural resources condition assessments for these three cultural resource parks. An outcome from the workshop was the production of two 'lessons learned' brochures, based on some overarching themes and results from the assessments. These brochures were presented at the NPS Water Resources Division meeting at Fort Collins, Colorado.
Emily with her horse, Destiny, in Ohio.
IAN and EcoCheck bid farewell to Emily Nauman
Emily joined IAN in 2007, and excelled in her internship. She moved on to the position of science communicator for EcoCheck where she contributed to a large number of science communication products and participated in a variety of training programs. Emily worked closely with Professor Nelson Marshall, to complete "Oceanography: An Observer's Guide", published by IAN Press. Emily also provided invaluable assistance in completing the IAN book, "Integrating and Applying Science". Emily is taking a job in Cincinnati, Ohio as a Science Communicator / Technical Writer, working in close association with the Environmental Protection Agency. This is a dream job and location for Emily, utilizing her considerable talents and being close to family and friends. Of course, she will be leaving behind good friends and close colleagues here in Maryland. We will miss Emily's wonderful smile and great attitude and look forward to finding ways to work with her in her new job. Emily is going to continue to work for IAN a day per week for the next 6 weeks to help us get through report card season.
Emily joined IAN in 2007, and excelled in her internship. She moved on to the position of science communicator for EcoCheck where she contributed to a large number of science communication products and participated in a variety of training programs. Emily worked closely with Professor Nelson Marshall, to complete "Oceanography: An Observer's Guide", published by IAN Press. Emily also provided invaluable assistance in completing the IAN book, "Integrating and Applying Science". Emily is taking a job in Cincinnati, Ohio as a Science Communicator / Technical Writer, working in close association with the Environmental Protection Agency. This is a dream job and location for Emily, utilizing her considerable talents and being close to family and friends. Of course, she will be leaving behind good friends and close colleagues here in Maryland. We will miss Emily's wonderful smile and great attitude and look forward to finding ways to work with her in her new job. Emily is going to continue to work for IAN a day per week for the next 6 weeks to help us get through report card season.
Please join us in welcoming Sara to IAN and EcoCheck.
New EcoCheck Science Communicator - Sara Powell
Sara joined EcoCheck as a Science Communicator in February 2010. She is a South Carolina native, and received both her undergraduate (Marine Science) and graduate (Environmental Health Sciences) degrees from the University of South Carolina. Sara has worked on several research projects that link GIS, environmental management, and community outreach. She recently finished up work on a project with homeowners groups from Lake Wateree, SC, where she advocated for citizen stewardship of water resources by promoting education and enlisting local volunteers to undertake water quality monitoring. In her free time Sara enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Sara joined EcoCheck as a Science Communicator in February 2010. She is a South Carolina native, and received both her undergraduate (Marine Science) and graduate (Environmental Health Sciences) degrees from the University of South Carolina. Sara has worked on several research projects that link GIS, environmental management, and community outreach. She recently finished up work on a project with homeowners groups from Lake Wateree, SC, where she advocated for citizen stewardship of water resources by promoting education and enlisting local volunteers to undertake water quality monitoring. In her free time Sara enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Conservation International workshop in Boston.
Science of Marine Managed Areas
Continuing work with Conservation International's Marine Management Area Science (MMAS) program, Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers, Caroline Wicks, and Jane Thomas from IAN and Ecocheck attended workshops in Boston in December 2009 and January 2010. IAN staff worked with the lead scientists from the different project components, summarizing results from the node field sites in Panama, Brazil, Fiji, and Belize. The outcomes of the workshops were drafts of synthesis products from the MMAS program: (1) 'Ecological monitoring', which will be a four-page policy brief summarizing monitoring of coral reefs at the node sites; (2) 'Living with the Seas', which will be a booklet summarizing the ecological effects and implications of marine managed areas; and (3) 'Community Health Index', which will be a booklet on the development of a health assessment tool for coral reefs.
Continuing work with Conservation International's Marine Management Area Science (MMAS) program, Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers, Caroline Wicks, and Jane Thomas from IAN and Ecocheck attended workshops in Boston in December 2009 and January 2010. IAN staff worked with the lead scientists from the different project components, summarizing results from the node field sites in Panama, Brazil, Fiji, and Belize. The outcomes of the workshops were drafts of synthesis products from the MMAS program: (1) 'Ecological monitoring', which will be a four-page policy brief summarizing monitoring of coral reefs at the node sites; (2) 'Living with the Seas', which will be a booklet summarizing the ecological effects and implications of marine managed areas; and (3) 'Community Health Index', which will be a booklet on the development of a health assessment tool for coral reefs.
Beach warning sign: Caution, swimming not advised due to high bacteria levels.
Beach bacteria models integrate remote sensing and IOOS data to protect public health
EcoCheck is developing daily forecasts for bacteria conditions at several beaches in the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina that are impacted by stormwater. Working with partners at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), the University of South Carolina, and the South East Coast Ocean Observing Region Association (SECOORA), EcoCheck is creating updated models by integrating data from state beach program sampling data, remote sensing, and Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) buoy data. These data can improve model predictions and create the potential for forecasting several days in advance. Models are developed to alert program staff to conditions that are likely to result in high bacteria counts and therefore warrant issuance of an advisory to beachgoers. This project is developing data management and processing tools to allow transfer of the approach to other beaches on the Atlantic coast.
EcoCheck is developing daily forecasts for bacteria conditions at several beaches in the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina that are impacted by stormwater. Working with partners at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), the University of South Carolina, and the South East Coast Ocean Observing Region Association (SECOORA), EcoCheck is creating updated models by integrating data from state beach program sampling data, remote sensing, and Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) buoy data. These data can improve model predictions and create the potential for forecasting several days in advance. Models are developed to alert program staff to conditions that are likely to result in high bacteria counts and therefore warrant issuance of an advisory to beachgoers. This project is developing data management and processing tools to allow transfer of the approach to other beaches on the Atlantic coast.
Twenty-two participants attended a Science Communication course at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.
Science communication course at the University of New England
On January 12–13, Science Communicators Joanna Woerner and Emily Nauman presented a Science Communication course at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. Twenty-two professionals from organizations such as The University of New England, Wells Reserve, Maine Drinking Water Program, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and Maine NEMO Program explored how to synthesize data in conceptual diagrams, presentations, and print documents. Participants left the course with drafts of science communication products describing a variety of topics including threats to drinking water, benefits of vegetated buffers, endangered species management, and household pollutant minimization. We look forward to seeing how they continue their outreach and communication efforts.
On January 12–13, Science Communicators Joanna Woerner and Emily Nauman presented a Science Communication course at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. Twenty-two professionals from organizations such as The University of New England, Wells Reserve, Maine Drinking Water Program, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and Maine NEMO Program explored how to synthesize data in conceptual diagrams, presentations, and print documents. Participants left the course with drafts of science communication products describing a variety of topics including threats to drinking water, benefits of vegetated buffers, endangered species management, and household pollutant minimization. We look forward to seeing how they continue their outreach and communication efforts.
Please join us in welcoming Christine to EcoCheck and UMCES.
New EcoCheck intern - Christine Thurber
Christine has joined EcoCheck as a Science Communication Intern. She recently graduated from Assumption College in Worcester, MA, studying biology and environmental science. Christine worked with wetland scientists for two years at an integrated services engineering firm and also volunteered as a water quality monitor through the Blackstone Valley River Coalition. After graduation she spent the summer studying harmful algal blooms at Horn Point Lab and Gallaudet University. It was through the Maryland Sea Grant Research Experience for Undergraduates at Horn Point that she learned about IAN. In the fall, Christine interned for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Patuxent Research Refuge, conducting environmental education for the public. She has a wide range of interests in biology and environmental science, and is utilizing this internship to determine a course of study for graduate school. She loves photography, writing, hiking, camping, kayaking, and rock climbing, as well as recreational volleyball and frisbee.
Christine has joined EcoCheck as a Science Communication Intern. She recently graduated from Assumption College in Worcester, MA, studying biology and environmental science. Christine worked with wetland scientists for two years at an integrated services engineering firm and also volunteered as a water quality monitor through the Blackstone Valley River Coalition. After graduation she spent the summer studying harmful algal blooms at Horn Point Lab and Gallaudet University. It was through the Maryland Sea Grant Research Experience for Undergraduates at Horn Point that she learned about IAN. In the fall, Christine interned for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Patuxent Research Refuge, conducting environmental education for the public. She has a wide range of interests in biology and environmental science, and is utilizing this internship to determine a course of study for graduate school. She loves photography, writing, hiking, camping, kayaking, and rock climbing, as well as recreational volleyball and frisbee.
Major cultural and natural resources exist in the seven ecoregions of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Engaging the public to help preserve the unique natural and cultural resources of two National Parks in Hawaii
Following up from an August visit and series of on-site workshops run by IAN staff Tim Carruthers and Jane Hawkey, three science communication products have just been published for two Hawaiian parks in the National Park Service's (NPS) Pacific Island Network. For Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) on the big island of Hawai'i, two flyers target resident or off-island audiences in an effort to enlist their help in preventing the spread of invasive plants and animals, especially in areas yet to be overrun by these alien species. For Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KALA) on the island of Molokai, a poster designed for resident and off-island audiences features both the cultural and natural history of this remote peninsula, and highlights the unique native plants and animals found here that are currently challenged by invasive species, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
Following up from an August visit and series of on-site workshops run by IAN staff Tim Carruthers and Jane Hawkey, three science communication products have just been published for two Hawaiian parks in the National Park Service's (NPS) Pacific Island Network. For Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) on the big island of Hawai'i, two flyers target resident or off-island audiences in an effort to enlist their help in preventing the spread of invasive plants and animals, especially in areas yet to be overrun by these alien species. For Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KALA) on the island of Molokai, a poster designed for resident and off-island audiences features both the cultural and natural history of this remote peninsula, and highlights the unique native plants and animals found here that are currently challenged by invasive species, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
Members meet to discuss core indicators, and standardization of data collection and analysis methods.
New partnership to standardize indicators and methods in Chesapeake Bay
EcoCheck initiated a new effort to develop standards for data collection and analysis by watershed organizations and tidal volunteer monitoring networks. Participants include representatives from the Nanticoke, Choptank, Chester, Sassafras, Magothy, Severn, South, West/Rhode, and St. Mary's Rivers, with additional members expected to join. Currently, each organization collects and reports data for different indicators and in different ways, making comparison between datasets difficult. This new effort tasks the group with identifying a core set of indicators that should be collected, developing standard sampling and analysis methods for those indicators, and establishing common considerations for designing sampling schemes. Guidelines will be produced for other non-profit or volunteer-based groups assessing ecosystem health, and will hopefully lead to a rich and robust data set that can help fill a critical data gap in Bay tributaries.
EcoCheck initiated a new effort to develop standards for data collection and analysis by watershed organizations and tidal volunteer monitoring networks. Participants include representatives from the Nanticoke, Choptank, Chester, Sassafras, Magothy, Severn, South, West/Rhode, and St. Mary's Rivers, with additional members expected to join. Currently, each organization collects and reports data for different indicators and in different ways, making comparison between datasets difficult. This new effort tasks the group with identifying a core set of indicators that should be collected, developing standard sampling and analysis methods for those indicators, and establishing common considerations for designing sampling schemes. Guidelines will be produced for other non-profit or volunteer-based groups assessing ecosystem health, and will hopefully lead to a rich and robust data set that can help fill a critical data gap in Bay tributaries.
The Integration & Application Network is an initiative of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
Further information: www.ian.umces.edu
Further information: www.ian.umces.edu
