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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 16 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: 28 February 2012

Witness the Arctic | Volume 16, Number 1 - Winter 2012

Articles

Interagency Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH)

SEARCH logo
SEARCH Meeting Advances New SEARCH Goals and Implementation Strategy
The SEARCH Science Steering Committee (SSC) and representatives from several government agencies met 13-15 February 2012 in Washington, D.C. Over the last several months, the SEARCH SSC has developed a new SEARCH vision statement and draft 5-year science goals with input from SEARCH panels and...
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Image Courtesy: Deanna Kingston
In Remembrance of Dr. Deanna Kingston
Dr. Deanna Paniataaq Kingston, professor of anthropology at Oregon State University (OSU) and prominent arctic social scientist, died 2 December 2011 at the age of 47. A native Inupiat from King Island, Alaska, Dr. Kingston was a pioneer in exploring the intersections of native traditional...
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Arctic Natural Sciences Program

Planning Underway for U.S. Arctic GEOTRACES Initiative
The U.S. GEOTRACES Science Steering Committee (SSC) has launched a planning effort for a U.S. Arctic GEOTRACES initiative to help characterize and understand regional biogeochemical changes associated with rapid climate change. The initiative includes a cruise, which is tentatively planned for 2015...
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Science Policy News

Public Comment Period Extended for Draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan
The National Ocean Council has extended the public comment period on the draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan through 28 March 2012. This extension will provide stakeholders, users, and the public additional time to provide input to inform development of the final Implementation Plan.
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National Science Foundation News

Accelerated Spending Requirements for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funded Projects
The Division of Institution and Award Support in NSF’s Policy Office has issued a notice of intent to limit the expenditure period for cooperative agreements funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to ensure project completion by 30 September 2013. This notice applies to all...
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Dr. Karl A. Erb
Office of Polar Programs Director Karl A. Erb to Retire
Dr. Karl A. Erb will retire from government service in April 2012 concluding over 13 years as Director of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP). Dr. Erb is widely recognized for his contributions to the international polar research community and for his leadership in the construction and operation of...
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Staffing Changes in the Office of Polar Programs and Arctic Sciences Division
Dr. Kelly Falkner will serve as Acting Head for NSF's Office of Polar Programs (OPP) effective 1 April 2012 subsequent to the retirement of Dr. Karl A. Erb. Prior to joining NSF as Deputy Head of OPP on 3 January 2011, Falkner was a professor in the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at...
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NSF Arctic Sciences Division Town Hall Meetings at AGU
The National Science Foundation Division of Arctic Sciences held two Town Halls on 7 December 2011 during the American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meetings in San Francisco. The Town Hall meetings provided a forum for open exchange on NSF activities and directions. Nearly 100 people participated...
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Capitol Updates

Image courtesy: NSF’s FY 2013 Budget Request to Congress
Update on Funding for NSF’s Office of Polar Programs and Arctic Sciences Division
On 18 November 2011 the President signed into law the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012. Division B of the Act provides funding for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for fiscal year (FY) 2012, which began 1 October 2011. Although final agency budget reports...
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Interagency News

Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee Developing Five-Year Arctic Research Plan
The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Principal Members met twice in 2011 to address an agenda that includes developing a five-year arctic research plan that will help federal agencies in implementing their arctic research programs. At their April meeting, Principal Members...
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Image courtesy of Pew Environmental Group
Pew Report Recommends More Science in U.S. Arctic Ocean
The Pew Environment Group and Ocean Conservancy have released a white paper recommending further research to inform conservation and development decisions in America's Arctic Ocean. The white paper, authored by 14 arctic marine ecosystem scientists, evaluates the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)...
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2011 Arctic Report Card
NOAA Releases 2011 Arctic Report Card
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released the 2011 Arctic Report Card. The report reflects the published and ongoing work of an international team of researchers and includes a range of arctic environmental observations. The report is organized around five chapters,...
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U.S. Arctic Research Commission

Image courtesy: Office of Congressman Don Young
U.S. Arctic Research Commission Releases 2011-2012 Goals Report
The U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) recently released the "USARC Report on the Goals and Objectives for Arctic Research 2011-2012." This biennial report recommends key goals and objectives to the President and to Congress. The report lists five broad priority research goals: Observe,...
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A Note From the ARCUS Executive Director

Arctic Forum Planned for May 2012
The Arctic Forum 2012 and the 24th ARCUS Annual Meeting will convene 1-2 May 2012 in Washington, D.C. The Arctic Forum will take place on Tuesday, 1 May at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. It is being held as part of a larger Science Policy Conference hosted by the...
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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: R. Crain, H. Eicken, M. Engel, K. Erb, J. Farrell, S. Fox, H. Huntington, D. Kadko, B.P. Kelly, E. Key, J. Osborne-Gowey, S. Stephenson, K. Sloane, B. Turner-Bogren, H. Wiggins, W. Wiseman

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/2012/1