Highlights for September 15, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• USGS Scientist Invited to Lecture on GPS Technology. Karl Brown of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics will be a guest lecturer at Colorado State University on October 4 and 11. Brown will address the current status of the Global Positioning System (GPS) during two geospatial science classes. (Karl Brown, Denver, 303-202-4240)
• USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Web Site Redesigned. The Web Site for the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg> has been redesigned to provide easier navigation and to reflect the program's maturity—moving from a developmental mode into efficient production of databases that classify, describe, and map the vegetation communities of national parks. The Web site contains information on program standards and protocols, completed project data, contact information, and links to related tools and sites. The USGS Center for Biological Informatics provides managerial and scientific oversight for the program. (Tom Owens, Denver, 303-202-4259)
• New CBI Web Site. The USGS Center for Biological Informatics (CBI) has unveiled its new Web site, containing new links and with a new look and feel that reflects the center’s programs and activities. The site has been moved to a server that provides better security and more ready access, and allows science centers with Web sites served by CBI to edit their content remotely. Be sure to visit the new CBI Web site at <http://biology.usgs.gov/cbi/>. (John Clark, Denver, 303-202-4244)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives: No report.

• NBII Site Used for Metatag Development. The National Biological Information Infrastructure is prototyping beta search software for their Web site to enhance searching and data discovery through the use of custom metatags. Work is being done in conjunction with Hiawatha Island Software of Concord, New Hampshire, the developer of TagGen software, a metatag generator prototyped by the USGS Center for Biological Informatics. (John Clark, Denver, 303-202-4244)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.