|
|
This project will position marine laboratories and field stations to meet emerging scientific trends. As the human population grows and natural resource consumption increases, understanding and managing the environment for sustainability has never been more important. As institutions that foster place-based research, field stations and marine laboratories (FSMLs) are a critical part of the nation’s infrastructure needed to address a wide range of environmental issues. With over 350 field stations and marine laboratories distributed among all 50 states managing a large amount of scientific equipment, research vessels, laboratories, living accommodations, and land, there is a huge existing investment in the FSML network. Because of the diversity, complexity, and enduring nature of field stations and marine laboratories, strategic planning is critical for ensuring that such institutions are well positioned to meet the dynamic and changing needs of scientists, students, and public they serve.
Strategic planning will help ensure that field stations and marine laboratories are well positioned to integrate modern science into formal and informal educational activities, as well as to facilitate resource management. To accomplish this strategic planning we will foster a dialog among the stakeholders of field stations and marine laboratories about the future of these institutions. This dialog will result in a series of reports to assist funders, managers, and users, in making decisions concerning investment in, and management of field stations and marine laboratories. We hosted a workshop that brought together a diverse set of scientists, directors of FSMLs, educators, and conservation stewards to identify the role FSMLs play in addressing critical emerging issues. As part of the workshop we explored the various components of FSMLs to determine which components of FSMLs will be most critical in the future. The workshop occurred in November 2011. Second, we conducted a survey of FSMLs that host significant amounts of research conducted by US scientists. This exercise allowed us to define the current status and capabilities of FSMLs, and provide the information needed to make recommendations about future investments. See the survey report for the results. Third, we will develop a Final Report that identifies the future investments in FSMLs that will produce the greatest scientific impacts. Click here to view this report. |
The FSML reports are ready.Website to close -This website will be shut down on June 1, 2013. Please see the OBFS website for report copies or updates on this project.
|