Highlights for January 7, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• USGS Assists ASPRS with Web Page Planning. Ralph Root of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics has been asked by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) to participate on a task force to update and enhance the society's Web pages. During the past 5 years, Root assisted the society in establishing an initial Web page and establishing an Electronic Communications Committee, which he chaired from 1996 through 1998. ASPRS, "the Imaging and Geospatial Information Society," exists to advance knowledge and improve understanding of mapping sciences and to promote the responsible applications of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and supporting technologies. (Ralph Root, Denver, 303-202-4232)
• Vegetation Mapping for Agate Fossil Beds NM Complete. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program (VMP) documentation for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is now available on the VMP Web site. The goal of the VMP is to classify and map the vegetation communities of national parks that have a natural resource component. Complete documentation is currently available for nine parks, including aerial photographs, photointerpretive signature keys, field data (field sites, physical descriptive and species list data), geospatial vegetation information, accuracy assessment information, metadata (physical descriptive, species list data, and geospatial vegetation information), a mapping report, and a link to National Park Service information about the respective park area. The VMP is managed by the USGS Center for Biological Informatics in cooperation with the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program. (Theresa Singh, Denver, 303-202-4227)
• USGS Scientist Helps Develop GPS Short Course. Karl Brown of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics worked with the Colorado State University GIS and Remote Sensing Program to develop and team teach a Global Positioning System short course covering modernization, new developments, and positioning options for resource professionals. The 3-day course is available for academic credit and will be offered twice yearly. For details, see http://biology.usgs.gov/gps/classes/gpsshrt3.html. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303-202-4240)

• GPS Web Site Updates. Watch the Biological Resources Global Positioning System (GPS) Web site for exciting changes! Theresa Singh and Karl Brown of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics are currently updating the GPS Web site, adding new pages and revising others. For example, in the "What's New" Web pages, you'll find information about spring rekeying, the Precise Positioning Service Policy Requirements Manual, and updates to the custodian database. (Theresa Singh, Denver, 303-202-4227)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives: No report.

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.