U.S. Arctic Observing Coordination Workshop Agenda

Check-in and Continental Breakfast

Welcome, Introductions, Meeting Goals & Expected Outcomes

• John Payne (North Slope Science Initiative) and Don Perovich (U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory); Workshop co-Chairs

Observations on the Observations: Where We Might Go From Here

• Fran Ulmer, U.S. Arctic Research Commission Chair
• John Farrell, U.S. Arctic Research Commission

Overview of Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) and the Arctic Observing Network (AON)

• Hajo Eicken (Univ. Alaska Fairbanks/SEARCH Science Steering Committee Chair)

Data and Observational Needs from Agencies, Stakeholders, and Decision-Makers

Verbal Presentation Only

• Michelle Bonnet (Director, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water)

Arctic Observational Needs For Modeling and Prediction

• John Walsh (International Arctic Research Center, Univ. Alaska Fairbanks)

Back to the Future: A Conceptual Framework for Advancing AON

• Martin Jeffries (Office of Naval Research)

SEARCH Science Goal #1: Sea Ice/Consequences of Ice-Diminished Arctic Ocean

• Julienne Stroeve (National Snow and Ice Data Center)

SEARCH Science Goal #2: Permafrost/Land Surface Change/Hydrology

• Larry Hinzman (International Arctic Research Center, Univ. Alaska Fairbanks)

SEARCH Science Goal #3: Land Ice Loss

• Tad Pfeffer (Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado)

SEARCH Science Goal #4: Society/Policy - Links Between Observational Data/Information and Public Understanding

• Henry Huntington (PEW Environment Group, Arctic Program Science Director)

• Break-out groups would be split into two thematic areas: ice-diminished arctic ocean, and warming permafrost/land surface linkages; with 2 groups for each theme (4 groups total)
• Participants will be assigned to each group to encourage cross-disciplinary discussion and interaction.

To develop a shared vision of a successful arctic observing network, breakout groups will address the following guiding questions:

1. Which audiences would an ideal AON serve?
2. Given these audiences, in an ideal world what would an AON look like in 5 years? What would the 'value added' be, beyond the current way of business?
3. What products and Services would be created?

Reports from Breakout Groups and Goals for Day 2

Opportunity for participants to present specific projects or activities related to SEARCH, Observing Activities, or arctic science. Poster boards will be provided, and the maximum size allowed for posters will be 4’ x 4’. Participants will be able to put up their posters anytime during the first day, and pins will be provided. Posters may remain up until ~5pm on Wednesday. Reception will include appetizers and a cash bar.

Quick review of yesterday's progress, today's goals, charge to break-outs.

• John Payne and Don Perovich

• Breakout groups will be tasked with outlining specific recommendations for how to achieve the vision for each science theme?
• What activities are needed?
• What can be done from combining existing resources or infrastructure? (Or where can targeted activities make great progress?)
• Also start thinking about cross-cutting activities or showcase projects– data-focused, place-based/regional, etc.

• Continuing from the morning, flesh out the activities needed – discuss specific tasks, next steps, timelines, and possible mechanisms, and possible 'showcase' projects
• Be prepared to report to plenary in the morning
• One breakout group focused on data issues (e.g., interoperability, proprietary data, data formatting, common archive structures, provision of data for showcase projects)

Adjourn for Day

• Goals for the day
• Breakout group reports from yesterday afternoon
• Plenary Discussion: How are the ideas resonating with the group? What priorities might be emerging?
• Charge to Final break-out groups

Breakout groups focus on showcase projects that could be launched in the near-term –theme-based, regional-focused, and/or data-focused

• Discuss details of showcase project – scope, specific next steps, identify key participants
• Identify key lead(s) that could convene an ad-hoc task group after the workshop

Final Plenary Discussion

• What are the key recommendations for a successful observing network?
• Showcase projects – what and how they can be accomplished
• Specific next steps/recommendations

Adjourn

Small writing group meet in afternoon to begin workshop report