Highlights for October 13, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• Aurora Partnership Examines Decision Support Theory and Practice. Maury Nyquist of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics is helping to plan and implement the annual Aurora Partnership Meeting, to be held November 14-15 in Charleston, South Carolina. The Aurora Partnership is a collaboration of researchers, practitioners, and decision makers from federal, state and local government agencies, educational institutions, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations aimed at facilitating the development and use of decision support tools, services, and systems for place-based decision making and management. Formed in 1998, the Partnership specifically seeks to address the needs of policymakers, land and resource managers, and community leaders. This year’s theme is "Theory and Practice," with presentation topics including Natural Hazards, Biodiversity and the Environment, Ecological Economics, Integrated Science, Measures and Indicators, Managing Infrastructure, Urban Growth and Design, Social and Institutional Issues, Management Issues, Training and Education, Developing Partnerships, and The Decision Processes. USGS Director Chip Groat is among the featured speakers at this third annual meeting, which is co-sponsored by NOAA’s Coastal Services Center, the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, the Association for Biodiversity Information, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Registration, lodging, agenda, and other information can be accessed at <http://www.csc.noaa.gov/aurora/>. (Maury Nyquist, Denver, 303-202-4217)
• Invasive Species Program Review. Mark Fornwall, director of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics (CBI), will provide one of eight capstone presentations for the upcoming Invasive Species Program review. Fornwall will address the use of information systems for invasive species. The review is scheduled for October 23-25, and will be held in Annapolis, Maryland. CBI staff member Susan Fayad is also participating, as a steering committee member. (Mark Fornwall, Denver, 303-202-4215)
• Informatics, DSS Presented at ICEBIRG Workshop. USGS Center for Biological Informatics (CBI) Director Mark Fornwall has been invited to address the next USGS ICEBIRG (Integration and Collaboration for Emerging Biological Issues and Research Goals) workshop, "Science for Avian Conservation: Understanding, Modeling, and Applying Ecological Relationships." He will discuss the concept of an information enterprise to support avian conservation science and management. Maury Nyquist, also of CBI, will provide a presentation on place-based decision support systems. The workshop is scheduled for October 31-November 2 and will be held at the National Wildlife Visitor Center associated with the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland. (Maury Nyquist, Denver, 303-202-4217)

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.