Highlights for February 7, 2002

I. Key Department/Bureau News

• International Biodiversity Informatics: Dr. Michael Ruggiero, USGS Center for Biological Informatics, will attend a meeting on Formats, Protocols, and Standards for the Improved Exchange of Biodiversity Information on February 18-21 in Montreal, Canada. The meeting is jointly hosted by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Invasive Species Programme. The meeting will seek to foster more effective exchange of information through the broad use of common formats and controlled vocabularies. Invasive species information will be used as an example of content to which standards can be developed. The Convention on Biological Diversity is the major framework Convention for conservation, use, and sharing benefits of biological diversity. The Global Invasive Species Programme is an international partnership addressing the global issue of harmful invasive species: disease organisms, agricultural weeds, destructive insects and others that threaten economic productivity, ecological stability, and biodiversity. (Mike Ruggiero, Smithsonian/Washington, 202-786-3117).

II. Agency Work on Presidential Initiatives
Nothing to report this week.

III. Notable Congressional Activity
Nothing to report this week.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries
Nothing to report this week.

V. Key FOIA Requests
Nothing to report this week.