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.

Model Results and Software Comparisons in Myrtle Beach, SC Using Virtual Beach and R Regression Toolboxes (Page 1)

Model Results and Software Comparisons in Myrtle Beach, SC Using Virtual Beach and R Regression Toolboxes

Neet MJ, Kelsey RH, Porter DE, Ramage DW, and Jones AB ·
2015

Utilizing R software and a variety of data sources, daily forecasts of bacteria levels were developed and automated for beach waters in Myrtle Beach, SC. Modeled results are then shown for beach locations via a website and mobile device app. While R provides a robust set of tools for use in forecast modeling, the software has an extensive learning curve and requires skilled statistical interpretation of results.

Read more

From Science to Solutions (Page 1)

From Science to Solutions

Jeff Brown, Faerthen Felix, David White, Kathleen Wong, Ivar Babb, Rob Gropp, Jane Hawkey ·
1 November 2014

IAN helped create an OBFS/NAML publication, targeting legislators, government funding agencies, and educational institutions. The goal was to feature the scientific and social value of field stations, the need for their support, and their future plans for sustainability.

Read more

Model Performance Results in Myrtle Beach, SC Using Virtual Beach and R Regression Software (Page 1)

Model Performance Results in Myrtle Beach, SC Using Virtual Beach and R Regression Software

Neet MJ, Kelsey RH, Porter DE, Ramage DW, and Jones AB ·
2014

Daily forecasts of beach water bacteria levels have been developed and automated by a beach water quality forecast team. With support from the Southeast Coast Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), R software and a variety of data sources were used to model daily bacteria levels in beach swimming waters in Myrtle Beach, SC. Modeled (predicted) water quality results are then shown for beach locations via a website and mobile device app.

Read more

America's Watershed Initiative Mississippi River Watershed Report Card

Bill Dennison, Caroline Donovan, Heath Kelsey, Bill Nuttle, Jane Thomas, Brianne Walsh ·
1 October 2014

The Mississippi River watershed is a globally important resource, providing water resources for people, industries, and ecosystems, food and energy production, and transportation of important agricultural and industrial commodities. Management of the watershed for these potentially conflicting uses and services is challenging, as the watershed spans parts of 31 states and 2 Canadian provinces.

Read more

Mississippi River Report Card whole watershed report card workshop newsletter (Page 1)

Mississippi River Report Card whole watershed report card workshop newsletter

Suzanne Webster, Brianne Walsh, Caroline Donovan, Bill Dennison, Heath Kelsey, Bill Nuttle, Jane Thomas ·
24 September 2014

The America's Watershed Initiative concluded the series of workshops in the five basins with a meeting in Arlington, Virginia to discuss the integration of basin results into the overall watershed results. The meeting also addressed issues that are applicable at the scale of the entire watershed, but that were not evident from the basin workshops. This meeting built on the results of the workshops held in each of the basins in the watershed over the previous year.

Read more

Missouri River Basin report card workshop newsletter (Page 1)

Missouri River Basin report card workshop newsletter

Nicole Lehmer, Brianne Walsh, Jane Thomas, Caroline Donovan, Heath Kelsey, Bill Dennison, Bill Nuttle ·
24 September 2014

The America's Watershed Initiative Report Card project continued with regional workshops for the Missouri River Basin, held in Rapid City, South Dakota, May 22–23, 2014 and in Kansas City, Missouri, August 26, 2014. At the workshop, stakeholders and experts from social, economic, and environmental sectors identified easily understood and transparent ways to measure status and trends for the Missouri River Basin in relation to six broad goals.

Read more

2013 Maryland Coastal Bays report card (Page 1)

2013 Maryland Coastal Bays report card

Jane Thomas, Bill Dennison ·
18 August 2014

The aim of this report card is to provide a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed assessment of 2013 Coastal Bays health. Coastal Bays health is defined as the progress of four water quality indicators (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen) and two biotic indicators (seagrass, hard clams) toward scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals.

Read more

Arkansas River and Red River Basins report card workshop newsletter (Page 1)

Arkansas River and Red River Basins report card workshop newsletter

Bill Dennison, Heath Kelsey, Jane Thomas, Caroline Donovan, Bill Nuttle ·
14 July 2014

The America's Watershed Initiative Report Card project continued with a regional workshop for the Arkansas River and Red River Basins, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 14–15, 2014. At the workshop, stakeholders and experts from social, economic, and environmental sectors identified easily understood and transparent ways to measure status and trends for the Arkansas River and Red River Basins in relation to six broad goals.

Read more