Highlights for April 6, 2001

I. Key Department News:

• FY 2003 Future Science Directions Writing Team Appointments Made: Dr. Maury Nyquist of the Center for Biological Informatics has been appointed to two Future Science Directions writing teams for the FY 2003 USGS budget development process. Dr. Nyquist will lead Enterprise GIS for Integrated Science and Hazard Support, which is one of five components contained under the umbrella of Information Science. The Enterprise GIS for Integrated Science and Hazard Support component will seek to develop a Bureau-wide capability for geographic information systems (GIS) support for its programs. Dr. Nyquist is also a member of the Ecosystems and Land Surface Change writing team. (Maury Nyquist, Denver, 303-202-4217)

• LUHNA Presentation for the USGS Lewis and Clark Science Advisors: Julie Prior-Magee, Center for Biological Informatics, will present am overview of the Land Use History of North America (LUHNA) Program to the USGS Lewis and Clark Science Advisors on April 20. The 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition will provide an opportunity to conduct scientific investigations of the Lewis and Clark Trail. The Science Advisors are planning investigations, some of which could center on historical changes along the trail in the last 200 years. Discussion with the Science Advisors group will focus on potential collaborative projects between LUHNA and the Lewis and Clark Science program. (Julie Prior-Magee, Las Cruces, 505-646-1084)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:

• From Data to Information: Metadata Issues and Solutions- National Biological Information Infrastructure: The NBII will give a presentation and participate in a panel discussion on issues and solutions regarding the handling metadata at environmental data centers. The U.S. Global Change Research Program, Data and Information Working Group will sponsor the workshop, “Gaining Knowledge from Environmental Data”, May 1-3, 2001 in Fort Collins, Colorado. www.nbii.gov (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303-202-4230).

• National Biological Information Infrastructure and Environment Canada Training Partnership: The NBII will provide a one-day NBII metadata workshop at the 7th National Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Network (Environment Canada) Science Meeting May 5, 2001 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants are expected from various federal agencies across Canada. www.nbii.gov (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303-202-4230).

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.