Translation of scientific research into accessible documents is relevant to USGS’s overall mission and goals but specifically germane to the Chesapeake Bay science and restoration community. The Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, in which the USGS plays a key role, is working toward restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) scientists and managers rely on data collected by volunteers to study SAV and assess conservation and restoration needs. Although various citizen science initiatives currently survey SAV in the Chesapeake Bay, no standardized data collection protocol exists to ensure that all of these initiatives use the same methodology or collect the same data.

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IAN has teamed up with oceanographers at our home campus of Horn Point Laboratory and at the Department of Natural Resources in order to revisit a growing concern of algal blooms off Assateague Island National Seashore on the Southern Eastern Shore. IAN's role in this project involves synthesizing data collected offshore and helping to establish relevant thresholds for offshore nutrient data, as well as aiding in communication of the studies data and findings.

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This project is a continuation of the partnership between The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences to develop a standardized methodology for designing and implementing report cards that assess the health some of the world’s most prominent freshwater basins. UMCES and the WWF are currently collaborating with Zambian stakeholders to create a report card for the Lower Kafue River Basin.

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Incorporating novel indicators into the Chesapeake Bay Report Card. Make key improvements to the Chesapeake Bay Report Card, which has served since 2006 as the definitive source for ecosystem health status in the Bay and tidal tributaries.

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This project will help facilitate, assess, and produce the America's Watershed Initiative Report Card. The report card will describe the health of the Mississippi River Basin based on six main goals (water supply, flood risk reduction, economies, ecosystems, recreational, and transportation).

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We strive to inspire future scientists and increase awareness about environmental issues. We believe that new media is a integral part of achieving these goals. Therefore, we have launched an IAN/EcoCheck channel on YouTube. This channel hosts environmental science videos created by UMCES faculty, staff, and students.

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