Highlights for March 24, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing. Remote sensing science and applications are rapidly changing and advancing; new Federal, commercial, and foreign satellites are operational, and many more new sensors are planned. Complex new technologies, such as LIDAR and hyperspectral imaging, are being developed. So that they can make informed decisions on the application of these essential and powerful tools, senior officials in Federal, state, NGO, and commercial organizations need to have an understanding of these new remote sensing technologies. Working with the National Science and Technology Council's Committee on Environment and Natural Resources' Biodiversity and Ecosystems Informatics Work Group, Maury Nyquist of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics has organized a Forum on Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing, to be held May 25-26 in conjunction with the May 22-26 American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Annual Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The Forum's first day will consist of presentations by data and information providers in the private and Federal sectors, who will discuss advances in remote sensing systems. The second day will be dedicated to presentations by leading scientists discussing real-world applications of remote sensing technologies to environmental and biodiversity issues. Registration at the ASPRS Annual Conference is required to attend the Forum. This Forum is open to the public. (Maury Nyquist, Denver, 303-202-4217)

• Librarians Work Together for Integrated Science: On May 2-4, USGS Librarians will assemble in Denver to continue the momentum generated at the first very successful and enthusiastic meeting held in Reston last September. This year's theme is "The USGS Library Consortium: Working Together for Integrated Science." The group's objectives are to move the consortium idea forward from concept to more concrete steps, to provide educational opportunities for the librarians, to continue to strengthen the network of librarians through personal contact, to support operational issues through affinity groups, and to further the work of the committees established at the September meeting. The agenda will include an expert panel describing models and issues for library consortia, a review and discussion of the work of the Consortium Structure Team in designing a USGS libraries consortium, a workshop on consortium interaction and communications, a panel of USGS librarians from different divisions discussing their libraries and their respective roles in integrated science, a work session on how to improve interlibrary loan among USGS librarians, and time for the committees to meet and work. USGS Central Regional Director Tom Casadevall is scheduled to make a presentation on integrated science. (Susan Fayad, Denver, 303-202-4224)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:No report

• USGS Scientist Participates in World Bank Project. Susan Stitt of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics is one of eight metadata and biodiversity experts invited to participate in the April 3-4 workshop, "Recommendations on the Use of Metadata Standards for Biodiversity," as part of the World Bank project "Harmonizing Metadata Initiatives throughout IABIN." The Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) is an initiative of the Summit of the Americas to provide greater and more useful access to biodiversity information throughout the hemisphere. The main objective of the April meeting is to provide the IABIN Executive Council with recommendations regarding the use of metadata for the implementation of a clearinghouse for biodiversity data and information. For more information on IABIN, please visit the Web page at www.iabin-us.org. (Susan Stitt, Denver, 303-202-4234)

• NBII Metadata Training. On March 21-22, more than 30 participants from the National Park Service, USGS, local and municipal governments, and private industry attended a two-day computer-based National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Biological Data Profile metadata workshop hosted by San Antonio Missions National Park in Texas. Sharon Shin of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics assisted Michelle Gudorf of the NPS in the training session. On March 25 and April 1, a two-day NBII metadata workshop will be held at the University of Denver under a Federal Geographic Data Committee "Don't Duck Metadata" grant. Shin and Gudorf will again team up to conduct the training. (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303-202-4230)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.