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About

Witness the Arctic provides information on current arctic research efforts and findings, significant research initiatives, national policy affecting arctic research, international activities, and profiles of institutions with major arctic research efforts. Witness serves an audience of arctic scientists, educators, agency personnel, and policy makers. Witness was published biannually in hardcopy from 1995-2008 (archives are available below) and is currently published online 3-4 times annually, depending on newsworthy events.

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Witness the Arctic Volume 15 Issue 1

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With the Spring 2009 issue, ARCUS changed the format of Witness the Arctic. To provide more frequent updates and reduce printing and mailing costs and associated environmental impacts, the newsletter is now distributed online in three or four shorter issues per year, depending on newsworthy events.

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If you have a question or an idea for a Witness article, contact Betsy Turner-Bogren at betsy [at] arcus [dot] org.

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Distribution Date: 10 February 2011

Witness the Arctic | Volume 15, Number 1 - Winter 2011

Articles

Interagency Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH)

State of the Arctic Conference Resolution Released
The final Conference Resolution from the State of the Arctic Conference has been released and is available online. The State of the Arctic Conference, held March 2010 with 448 participants from 16 countries, including representatives of Indigenous Peoples' organizations, featured over 400 keynote...
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Science Steering Committee Meeting Refines Future Directions for SEARCH
A SEARCH Science Steering Committee (SSC) meeting was held 17-19 November 2010 in Washington, D.C. The major items on the agenda were development of updated SEARCH vision and mission statements and five-year goals, and improved interagency implementation of SEARCH. The draft vision and mission...
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SEARCH at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting
SEARCH held several activities at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in San Francisco, California. A Town Hall entitled "The Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH): Current Activities and Community Input on Future Directions" was held to provide a forum for open exchange on...
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National Science Foundation News

New Faces in Arctic Sciences Division at NSF
Dr. Brendan P. Kelly was appointed to the new position of Deputy Director in the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Arctic Sciences (ARC). Dr. Kelly came to NSF from NOAA's National Marine Mammal Laboratory where he led investigations regarding the impact of sea-ice loss on arctic seal...
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Capitol Updates

Temporary Funding Levels Extended for FY2011
On 21 December 2010, Congress approved House Resolution (H.R.) 3082, which extended fiscal year 2011 (FY2011) appropriations through 4 March 2011. This temporary spending bill, also referred to as a Continuing Resolution (CR), freezes discretionary appropriations for FY2011 at FY2010 spending...
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America COMPETES Act Reauthorized
On 4 January 2011 President Obama signed into law the America COMPETES Act, reauthorized by Congress on 21 December 2010. The Act focuses on three main areas: (1) Increasing science and research investments; (2) Strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education; and...
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Interagency News

National Oil Spill Commission’s Findings, Recommendations, and Implications for the Arctic
The Presidentially appointed Oil Spill Commission released "Deep Water: The Gulf Oil Disaster and the Future of Offshore Drilling" on 11 January 2011. The report, issued after six months of investigations and public hearings, addresses the causes and consequences of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil...
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Lessons for Potential Oil Spill Response in the Arctic
Immediately following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, scientific expertise was needed in the emergency response and impact assessment efforts. These efforts included the tracking of ship and personnel assets; tracking surface oil, tar balls, and an underwater oil plume...
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International News

International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC) Science Plan Published
The International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC) Science Steering Group has released the ISAC Science Plan. This plan was developed after broad community input and outlines an international research program on arctic environmental change.
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International Ice Chart Working Group Warns of Continued Navigation Hazards in Polar Seas
The International Ice Chart Working Group (IICWG) held its 11th annual meeting 18-22 October 2010 in Washington, D.C. Established in 1999, IICWG promotes cooperation between the international ice services charged with monitoring sea ice and icebergs for maritime safety and brings together the...
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A Note From the ARCUS Executive Director

Jonathan Pundsack Joins ARCUS Staff
ARCUS is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan W. Pundsack as Program Manager, effective 1 January 2011. In this position he will assume responsibility for ARCUS projects and activities, primarily within the Arctic Science System Program (ARCSS), and for support for the Arctic Observing...
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ARCUS

  • Arctic Research Consortium of the United States
  • 3535 College Road
  • Suite 101
  • Fairbanks, AK 99709 USA
  • Phone: 907-474-1600
  • Fax: 907-474-1604
  • info [at] arcus [dot] org
  • www.arcus.org

Executive Director: Susan E. Fox

Editors: Betsy Turner-Bogren, Kristina Creek, Helen Wiggins

Contributors: P. Clemente-Colon, H. Eiken, S. E. Fox, B. P. Kelly, P. A. McGillivary, M. Murray, P. West, H. Wiggins

ARCUS is a nonprofit organization consisting of institutions organized and operated for educational, professional, or scientific purposes. Established by its member institutions in 1988 with the primary mission of strengthening arctic research, ARCUS activities are funded through cooperative agreements with NSF and the National Park Service, grants from NSF, a contract with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and membership dues.

Witness the Arctic is published periodically by ARCUS. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF.

  • http://www.arcus.org/witness-the-arctic/2011/1