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a workshop at ESA


Dear Colleagues,
An initial announcement for a forthcoming data management workshop has been
completed. One version follows and is also included as an attached file. 
Please send this out to potentially interested parties. 
Thanks in advance,
Bill Michener
 
===============================================================================

ANNOUNCEMENT and WORKSHOP APPLICATION FORM
 
UPCOMING WORKSHOP: "Data and Information Management in the Ecological Sciences"
 
Sponsors: The National Science Foundation, Organization of Biological Field 
Stations, Long-Term Studies Section of the Ecological Society of America

Date: August 8-9 (Friday and Saturday) 1997, prior to the Ecological Society 
of America's annual meeting [Note: The workshop is being held in conjunction
with a joint meeting of LTER Program, Association of Ecosystem Research 
Centers, Organization of Biological Field Stations, and Long-Term Studies 
Section of ESA, Sunday, August 10, 8 am to 5 pm]
 
Location: University of New Mexico campus, Albuquerque, New Mexico
 
Workshop Organizers: James Gosz (University of New Mexico), Arthur McKee 
(Oregon State University), William Michener (J.W. Jones Ecological Research 
Center), and John Porter (University of Virginia)
 
Objectives and  Target Audience:
 
	Workshop objectives are to introduce attendees to data and information 
management concepts, protocols, and relevant technology.  Topics to be covered 
during the workshop reflect needs that were identified at the 1996 meetings of 
the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) and the Ecological 
Society of America's Long-Term Studies Section (ESA-LTSS).  The target 
audience for the workshop includes representatives of field stations and 
marine laboratories (e.g., members of OBFS), individuals or organizations 
engaged in long-term ecological studies (e.g., members of ESA-LTSS),  and 
individuals directly involved in the management of ecological data and 
information (e.g., data/information managers associated with the Long-Term 
Ecological Research Network, many of whom will participate in training 
activities).   The targeted size of the workshop is 100 individuals 
(50 OBFS representatives; 50 ESA members). 

Workshop Content:
 
	Workshop content has primarily been directed to meet needs expressed 
by attendees at the 1996 annual meetings of OBFS and ESA's Long-Term Studies 
Section. Training topics include:
1.  "Data management: basic issues and concepts" 
2.  "Technological underpinnings: I. hardware" 
3.  "Technological underpinnings: II. software" 
4.  "Communication and networking strategies" 
5.  "Data entry" 
6.  "Quality assurance/quality control"  
7.  "Scientific databases" 
8.  "Metadata" 
9.  "Data archival" 
10.  "World Wide Web" 
11.  "Examples of site implementation" 
12.  "Climate data workshop I: hardware and connectivity, etc." 
13.  "Climate data workshop II: data management issues" 
14.  "Data analysis and scientific visualization tools" 

It is anticipated that several additional topics (e.g., site data 
administration, funding, future needs) will emerge during roundtable 
discussions and breakout sessions.

Training Coordinators:

Most instructors have more than ten years experience with various aspects 
of ecological data and information management. The current list of workshop 
instructors includes:

1. Barbara Benson - Data Manager, North Temperate Lakes LTER, University of 
   Wisconsin, Madison, WI
2. Caroline Bledsoe - Associate Professor, University of California, 
   Davis, CA 
3. Karen Baker - Data Manager, Palmer LTER Site, University of California, 
   San Diego, La Jolla, CA 
4. John Briggs - Co-PI and Data Manager, Konza Prairie LTER Site, Kansas 
   State University
5. Scott Chapal - Computer Operations and Network Manager, Jones Ecological 
   Research Center, Newton, GA
6. Don Edwards - Professor, Department of Statistics, University of South 
   Carolina, Columbia, SC
7. James Gosz - Professor of Biology, University of New Mexico, 
   Albuquerque, NM
8. John Helly - Senior Staff Scientist, San Diego Supercomputer Center, 
   University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
9. Don Henshaw - Data Manager, Andrews Experimental Forest LTER, 
   Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
10. Arthur McKee - Director, Andrews Experimental Station, 
    Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
11. Doug Moore - Climate Research Specialist, Sevilleta LTER Site, 
    University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
12. William Michener - Associate Scientist, Jones Ecological Research Center, 
    Newton, GA
13. Rudolf Nottrott - Network Manager and Systems Administrator, 
    LTER Network Office, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
14. Dick Olson - Senior Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 
    Oak Ridge, TN
15. John Porter - Research Assistant Professor, University of Virginia, 
    Charlottesville, VA
16. Susan Stafford - Professor and Director (Quantitative Sciences Group), 
    Dept. of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 
17. Hilary Swain - Executive Director, Archbold Biological Station, 
    Lake Placid, FL
 
	Workshop format will vary by topic and may consist of formal 
presentations followed by informal discussion, demonstrations, or hands-on 
activities.  Several topics will be addressed in breakout sessions to 
maximize participant involvement.  In some instances, sessions will run 
concurrently to facilitate discussion and/or promote hands-on experience.

	A formal agenda and logistics information will follow in subsequent 
mailings.

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WORKSHOP APPLICATION FORM:
Name: __________________________
Organization: ___________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Email: ____________________________
Phone: ____________________________
Fax: _____________________________


Is your institution affiliated with the Organization of Biological Field 
Stations (OBFS) (yes/no) ? _________ 

Travel awards can be used to defray air travel costs associated with 50 
OBFS members; Do you wish to be considered for an OBFS travel award 
(yes/no) ? ______________

If yes, what is the estimated round trip air cost between point of departure 
and Albuquerque ? $___________ 

[Note: travel awards can only be used for airline tickets.  A total of 50 
travel awards averaging $200 are available for OBFS members.]

Please return filled in form to:

William Michener
Jones Ecological Research Center
Route 2, Box 2324
Newton, GA  31770
Fax: 912-734-4707
E-mail (preferred): wmichene@jonesctr.org

NOTES: 

(1) In lieu of filling out the above form, you may go directly to the 
online Web form at  http://www.vcrlter.virginia.edu/datawrk97.html

(2) Participation in the workshop is limited to 100 individuals.  Please
sign up early, but only if you are firmly committed to attend.

(3) Additional electronic mailings will be forthcoming to all applicants.