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Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) UPDATE
Nov. 17, 2006

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GLOS hosts IOOS National Workshop in Chicago

The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Coordination Workshop was held at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Nov. 7-9, 2006. Attended by more than 80 representatives of the IOOS regional associations (RAs), the event featured presentations by Dr. Rick Spinrad, of NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, co-chair of the Joint Subcommittee on Science and Technology (JSOST); and Mary Altala, director of Ocean.US, among others. All presentations are archived at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/nfra/. Breakout sessions focused on enhancing communication between the RAs and federal agencies, and developing demonstration projects to promote coordination between neighboring RAs. Also noteworthy was a discussion of goals and objectives for the new Congress, aimed at gaining congressional approval of the IOOS authorizing legislation and sufficient appropriations to support the regional observing systems that are being developed. Special thanks to Dr. Jeff Boehm (GLOS Board Member) and staff at the Shedd Aquarium for hosting these events, on behalf of GLOS. Shedd was a superb venue for these discussions.

Preceding the IOOS regional workshop, the National Federation of Regional Associations (NFRA) held their fall meeting. Business included approving NFRA's 2007 budget and workplan, designating voting and non-voting members on the NFRA Executive Committee, and election of officers. GLOS Coordinator Christine Manninen was re-elected as NFRA Secretary.

GLOS Board holds its second in-person meeting

The GLOS Board of Directors met Nov. 13-14, 2006, at U.S. EPA offices in Chicago. Special thanks to staff at the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office for hosting these events. Discussions focused on the need for innovative products and services that illustrate the value of GLOS. Product development needs to be well-defined and jive with identified user needs. The Board used prioritization worksheets to help flush out ideas for new projects/products for GLOS to pursue. Prioritizing criteria will include such things as link to IOOS societal goals, fit to GLOS mission, breadth of audience, compatibility with user needs, scalability and, most importantly, impact on the lakes. The focus of GLOS should be data integration; GLOS should not compete with existing data providers. A memorandum of agreement defining staffing arrangements between GLOS and the Great Lakes Commission was reviewed. The next GLOS annual membership meeting will be held in April 2007, likely in New York State.


Upcoming Events
Great Lakes Day in Washington, March 7, 2007, Washington, D.C.
This annual event features presentations and dialogue on Great Lakes priorities by regional leaders and members of Congress. Co-sponsored by the Great Lakes Commission and the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

14th Annual International Conference on the St. Lawrence River Ecosystem, May 15-17, 2007, NAV Canada Training Institute & Conference Centre, Cornwall, Ontario Canada
The conference will highlight the importance of tributaries and wetlands including their influences on water quality and critical roles as unique habitats. Hosted by the the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences, the University of Ottawa and the Ontario Clean Water Agency/Ontario Research Water Works Research Consortium.

50th Annual IAGLR Conference on Great Lakes Research, May 28-June 1, 2007, Penn State University, University Park, Pa..
The conference will recognize the history of research on the Great Lakes and our present state of knowledge, as well as take a look into the future of how the organization can address the complex limnological and management issues that lay ahead. A GLOS session is planned.

>> More GLOS-related events: www.glos.us/about/events.php
>> More IOOS-related events: www.ocean.us/event

This Update is prepared by the GLOS secretariat as a service to the GLOS Board of Directors, Regional Interest Group and all other interested parties. Refer to www.glos.us for more information on GLOS activities and milestones.