Courses in Communicating Science Effectively in Oxford, MD and Ontario, Canada
The Integration and Application Network is conducting a special free 1-day "Introduction to Science Communication" course in Oxford, Maryland, April 20, 2010. Details and online registration are available on the course website. In partnership with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and Conservation Ontario we are conducting a 2-day course in Downsview, Ontario, Canada on May 11-12, 2010. Details and online registration are available on the Conservation Ontario website.New IAN Seminar Series launched
The IAN seminar series has been revamped to include concise, thought-provoking, ~15-minute lectures on Chesapeake Bay science and management. Lecture media will be posted online in three formats: video clips, audio podcast, and PDF of the slides. Seminars occur the last Thursday of each month, following the Scientific Technical Analysis and Reporting (S.T.A.R.) meeting in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay Program. Bill Dennison presented the first lecture, entitled "Chesapeake Bay health: What causes positive and negative trajectories?" in January. The February seminar was given by Sara Powell, who presented "Getting out of the lake and into the watershed: A study of volunteer monitoring efforts, water quality, and community outreach". The most recent lecture in the series featured Walter Boynton, who discussed Corsica River estuary restoration. After each seminar, we summarize the discussion on the IAN blog and invite others to contribute to the dialog.
NASA workshop on data use and modeling for Chesapeake Bay research and applications
On March 29, IAN staff Bill Dennison and Kris Beckert and EcoCheck staff Heath Kelsey and Christine Thurber met with NASA staff scientists at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD for a workshop on data use and modeling for Chesapeake Bay research and applications. This workshop focused on how NASA efforts could be coordinated with other research activities for more effective management of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, especially with the use of NASA's aerial, satellite, and in situ data. After the presentation of ongoing research on ocean color, cover crops, imagery availability, and atmospheric data acquisition, participants helped list the issues facing data users and providers, as well as conclusions and recommendations. These outcomes will be summarized in the form of a newsletter so that the scientists and organizations may better understand and implement their findings towards Chesapeake Bay management. See IAN blog post for more details.
Workshop in Colonial National Historical Park kicks off natural resource assessment
Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers, Jane Thomas, and Kate Bentsen traveled to Colonial National Historical Park on March 10-11 to initiate a Natural Resources Condition Assessment process that will continue over the next 18-24 months. The visit included a meeting with park personnel at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitors Center, followed by a tour of the entire park on the first day. On the second day, we held a mini-symposium at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rice Center on the James River. Colonial National Historical Park consists of Yorktown Battlefield on the York River, Jamestown on the James River, and Colonial Parkway, which connects Yorktown and Jamestown via historic Williamsburg. See IAN blog post for more details.
LOICZ Scientific Steering Committee Meeting in Chennai, India
Taking over from Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers is continuing UMCES and IAN representation on the LOICZ (Land Ocean Interactions of the Coastal Zone) SSC (Scientific Steering Committee). At his first meeting in March, held in Chennai, India (check out his blog post), Tim continued to promote synthetic science communication within LOICZ and specifically engaged in the current focus of actively linking natural, social and economic sciences for more effective coastal management. The other two new members of the committee are Valerie Cummins from University College Cork, Ireland and Bruce Glavovic from Massey University, New Zealand.