Course in Communicating Science Effectively

The Integration and Application Network is conducting a 3-day course in communicating science effectively. The course is being held in Cambridge, Maryland, 5-7 May, 2009. The hands-on approach means that participants come away from the course with the technical skills to effectively communicate scientific information in a variety of communication products. Further details and online registration are available on the course website.

Integration and Application Network facilitates workshop on water transparency criteria for Florida seagrasses

Workshop group photoBill Dennison and Caroline Wicks traveled to Orlando, Florida to facilitate a workshop held by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The workshop was held to determine water transparency (clarity) criteria for seagrasses across the entire state. The workshop included approximately 20 Florida seagrass experts, as well as audience members. Over two days, participants focused on determining regionally specific criteria and streamlining methodological techniques. A newsletter summarizing the workshop outcomes will be produced this spring.

Using conceptual diagrams to develop a communications strategy for the NPS Northern Great Plains Network

NPS newsletter thumbnailThe National Park Service Northern Great Plains Network (NGPN) has a broad range of natural and cultural resources. As the collection and analysis of inventory and monitoring data increases, a strategy for communicating the parks' resource condition assessments becomes increasingly important. Through science communication workshops with resource managers of NGPN park units and the NGPN Inventory & Monitoring Program, IAN staff created conceptual diagrams for this newsletter. These diagrams represent the current state of knowledge of these parks' key resources and threats, and they help to establish a baseline from which the NGPN I&M program can communicate emerging trends to the parks for more effective management, as well as to the interested public.

Conceptual diagramming workshop in Bali, Indonesia

Bali workshop groupTim Carruthers and Jane Thomas led a conceptual diagramming workshop in Bali, Indonesia, on 19-23 January, to identify and prioritize key features, threats, and management actions regarding the Bird's Head Seascape in Indonesia's West Papua region, as well as other Marine Protected Areas in Indonesia. Together with staff from The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Conservation International, Tim and Jane trained workshop participants in the use of conceptual diagrams, and drafted several new diagrams to be completed in the coming months.

Integration and Application Network poster

This poster outlines the Integration and Application Network; who we are, our mission, where we work, and what we provide. We are a collection of highly trained, highly motivated scientists and communicators interested in solving, not just studying environmental problems. The Integration and Application Network (IAN) is an initiative of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, but links with other academic institutions, resource management agencies, and non‒governmental organizations. We are based in Maryland, but work globally and provide a range of science communication tools, products, training, and environmental syntheses.