LINKAGES BREAKOUT GROUP
(1) People/organizations who will contribute to data collection, assembly, maintenance,
and distribution
(2) People/organizations who will use end products (but may have limited involvement in
collection) … important end users for which outputs of the NPN will be focused.
(3) People who might support the project but might not be involved in collection or
analysis but may have a longer-term application.
Emphasis on linkages to existing observational systems (1)
Groups: Extensive volunteer – fewer kinds of observations; probably lower quality data
Extended science – largely professional observers
Intensive – comprehensive observations, professional observers; highest quality
data
Those that currently measure phenological variables
o GLOBE – is this school year only? Volunteer
o MODIS standard satellite products - RS
o Western Network (little data since 1994; largely dismantled; might pick up
federal sites, some coop observers; plants were tagged) – Ext. science
o Canadian Network – Ext. volunteer
o Ameriflux sites (about 90- some measure phenological variables) – core
or intensive sites – intensive science
o State Agricultural Research Stations (8 in Montana; 70+ in Az., 17 or 18
in Ok and all are Mesonet sites (via Oklahoma State University) –
Intensive science
o Canadian Agric. Stations (provinces) – Intensive science
Those that don’t but that offer potential to add (major constraint … must monitor
ever day or other day)
o NERON – extended scientific
o LTER & LTREB sites - intensive
o Nat Weather Service Coop volunteers - volunteer
o Plant nurseries; might include changes in distribution - volunteers
o American Chestnut Foundation – ext. science (have science program)
o Urban Forestry group - ? (Society that publishes a journal, etc)
o Farmers & vinters; fruit crops; garden club members - volunteers
… and these have staff that might contribute.
o Organization of Biological Field Stations – ext science
o NOAA coastal marine lab stations (one in SC) – intensive science
o CaraComp – intensive science (at least 80)
o
o
o
o
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Botanical gardens – ext science
Arboretums – ext science
Places like Desert Museum – ext science
State and provincial parks – ext science
Fish and Wildlife reserves, TNC sites, other Federal refuges, and similar,
including some City parks (e.g., City of Boulder open space) – ext science
Criteria/opportunities for Network Start-up
-
Need to link criteria to needs for answering questions that can be answered
quickly. ID questions first, and use these to drive data needs.
spatial extent that contributes to network – broad, or in key geographical area(s)
One low hanging fruit – contact and recruit NWS Coop observers. This is an
established, spatially distributed network, with co-located weather data.
o To select Coop pilot areas, contact MIC (meteorologist in charge). Go
where support is strongest.
o Use pilot areas to get quick win – to demonstrate advantages of colocation.
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Part of selection is ability to collocate sites that are extensive, intensive, and
volunteer.
List from John Gross
EPMT
DOT
Train networks and companies (linear transects)
Maintenance crews
Departments of Wildlife
Monarch Watch
Agricultural stations
Peak leaf color
Cherry Blossum
Botanical gardens
Sugar Maple (sap)
Extension programs
Bee keepers
Neon
Pollen counts
Frog Watch
Audubon Society
Partner’s in Flight
BBS (Breeding Bird Survey)
Christmas Bird Count
GLOBE
LandFire
Native American Consortium
FIA
NASS
NRI
Others
ARS experimental watersheds
Nurseries (any regional or national organizations or companies?)