IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

Marine Protected Areas (French) (Page 1)

Marine Protected Areas (French)

Jane Hawkey, Simon Costanzo ·
23 October 2012

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are slices of the sea and coastline set aside because of their ecological importance. Creating an MPA requires a holistic approach that includes and integrates ecological, biological, social, and economic considerations. This approach cannot be successful without proper legislation, a functional institutional framework, financial resources, and active engagement of stakeholders.

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Measuring effectiveness of Best Management Practices (Page 1)

Measuring effectiveness of Best Management Practices

Simon Costanzo, Bill Dennison, Alexandra Fries ·
22 October 2012

The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund was created in 2007 in an effort to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution to these bays. The Trust Fund has focused its financial resources on the implementation of effective non-point source pollution control projects using best management practices (BMPs) in high priority watersheds. Examples of projects supported by the Trust Fund include stream channel restorations, stormwater retrofits, and cover crops.

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A vision for effective and streamlined reporting in the Pacific (Page 1)

A vision for effective and streamlined reporting in the Pacific

Tracey Saxby, Heath Kelsey, Jane Thomas, Bill Dennison ·
17 July 2012

The burden of global, regional, and project reporting has been a longstanding concern of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), particularly on Smaller Island States (SIS). This newsletter uses an environmental case study to showcase how a simple, targeted, and strategic monitoring and reporting framework can facilitate streamlined reporting by allowing data and information to be used for multiple reporting requirements.

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Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund (Page 1)

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund

Sara Powell ·
29 February 2012

The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund was created in 2007 in an effort to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution to these bays. The Trust Fund has focused its financial resources on the implementation of effective non-point (i.e., diffuse) source pollution control projects in high priority watersheds. This newsletter details examples of projects supported by the Trust Fund including stream channel restorations, stormwater retrofits, and cover crops.

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South East Queensland Floods 2011 (Page 1)

South East Queensland Floods 2011

Udy J and Soustal N ·
31 January 2012

During the January 2011 flood, millions of tonnes of soil were washed from the upper catchments into the Brisbane River by fast flowing flood waters. The soil formed a brown plume which extended from the river mouth into Moreton Bay. As the flow of the water slowed, fine soil particles (mud) settled within the Brisbane Estuary and Moreton Bay.

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A vision for the Gulf of Mexico Report Card (Page 1)

A vision for the Gulf of Mexico Report Card

McKinney L, Tunnell W, Harwell M, Gentile J, Dennison WC, Kelsey RH, Thomas JE ·
7 December 2011

The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, has partnered with IAN and Harwell Gentile & Associates, LC, to develop a vision for a report card on the health of the Gulf of Mexico. The report card will be a graphical representation of the environmental condition of the Gulf that is scientifically based, widely accessible, and readily understandable by policy-makers, stakeholders, scientists, and, most importantly, the general public.

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Healthy Darwin Harbour: Pathways and Partnerships (Page 1)

Healthy Darwin Harbour: Pathways and Partnerships

Bill Dennison, Jane Thomas ·
9 November 2011

Darwin Harbour is globally significant as a tropical, macrotidal, monsoonal harbour that is generally in very good condition. There are major development proposals for Darwin Harbour, including significant plans for population growth, industrial expansion and resource processing infrastructure, and consequent increases in shipping and dredging. These developments pose risks for the natural, cultural, aesthetic and recreational values of the Harbour, which need to be managed.

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Creating a Shared Vision for the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Region (Page 1)

Creating a Shared Vision for the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Region

Bill Dennison ·
1 June 2011

The Mackay-Whitsundays-Isaac region is diverse, with rainforests, ranges, creeks and rivers, wetlands, beaches, islands and reefs which support high biodiversity. The region supports productive agriculture, particularly grazing and sugarcane, as well as expanding urban centres. The Mackay-Whitsundays-Isaac region is rapidly developing due to economic development, climate, livability and natural beauty. This region is expected to double in population within twenty five years.

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Total Maximum Daily Loads

A citizen's guide to the Chesapeake Bay TMDL

Melissa Andreychek, Sara Powell, Caroline Donovan ·
20 May 2011

Residents of the Chesapeake Bay watershed depend upon a healthy Bay for food, recreation, and commercial enterprises. But the ways in which we use the watershed’s lands—from driving our cars to spreading fertilizers—impact the health of the Bay’s waters. Wastewater treatment plants, agricultural operations, and urban runoff are major sources of the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution that threaten the Bay’s health.

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South East Queensland Floods 2011 (Page 1)

South East Queensland Floods 2011

Dennison WC, Udy, J ·
2 May 2011

Moreton Bay is internationally recognised for its large population of green sea turtles and dugongs, and for its unique location next to a major capital city. Following the January flood, there has been serious concern about the impact of the flood plume on these symbolic Moreton Bay creatures. This newsletter provides an overview of some of the initial flood impact assessment results for seagrasses, turtles and dugongs, and identifies the risks that need to be monitored.

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