Highlights for August 13, 1999
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News: No report.

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:

• Joint USGS-NPS Metadata Workshop. In cooperation with staff from the USGS Center for Biological Informatics, who provided training materials and background information, Scott Barnwell of the National Park Service-Midwest conducted a one-day metadata training session for the USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC). Seventeen NWHC staff members attended the workshop, held on August 9. A spring workshop is planned in follow up. (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303-202-4230)

• GAPpers Embrace Metadata. On August 2-5, Sharon Shin (USGS Center for Biological Informatics) and Tom Sklebar (USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center) conducted a half-day workshop at the Gap Analysis Program (GAP) Annual Meeting held in Duluth, Minnesota. Their presentation focused on discovering and evaluating biological data using the NBII and FGDC Clearinghouses. After an introduction on how to use the clearinghouses, the concept of metadata was offered as the foundation for data discovery. Shin followed the workshop with a demonstration session on August 5. GAP subsequently appointed a metadata coordinator, who will receive extended training. (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303-202-4230)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.