Highlights for October 9, 1998
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• GAP Partners for Biodiversity Conservation: On October 14-15, Mike Jennings (USGS Center for Biological Informatics) will attend the Mid-America Regional Meeting of Gap Analysis Program Partners at the USGS Environmental Contaminants and Research Center in Columbia, Missouri. He will also address the Executive Council of the Missouri Resources Assessment Partnership, speaking on implementing partnerships for biodiversity conservation. (Mike Jennings, Moscow, ID, 208-885 3555)
  
• Lotus Notes Update: During the week of October 5, the Lotus Notes Implementation Team voted to postpone its recommendation regarding USGS-wide implementation of Lotus Notes. Because of the imminent release of the new version of Lotus Notes, the team, made up of systems administrators from all divisions and regions, will further test this release to determine whether it meets the bureau's needs. The new deadline is November 16. John Clark (USGS Center for Biological Informatics) co-chairs the implementation and validation teams. (John Clark, Denver, 303-202-4244)
  

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:

• NBII Metadata Training: On October 15-16, the USGS Center for Biological Informatics will host an NBII Metadata Training Workshop for National Park Service Intermountain Region and National Geophysical Data Center staff members. On October 20-22, Jennifer Gaines (USGS Office of Biological Informatics and Outreach) and Sharon Shin (USGS Center for Biological Informatics) will lead an NBII Metadata Training Workshop at the Cook River Research Station (USGS Western Fisheries Research Center). Participants include Station personnel, Station partners, and representatives from the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center. (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303-202-4230)
  

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.