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This symposium has been cancelled. We are planning to hold a symposium with the same theme and topics in 2026. We are however investigating whether it is possible to bring that date forward.

Follow the link above to see the first circular.

ARCUS invites registration for the next Arctic Research Seminar featuring Donald Anderson of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Anderson’s presentation, titled “Origin and Fate of Harmful Algal Blooms in the Chukchi Sea,” will be held via Zoom.

Registration is required for this event.

Abstract

The Arctic Ocean is experiencing rapid and dramatic changes in response to climate-driven warming. Many organisms may spread northward as a result of rising temperatures and loss of sea ice, but few present such significant threats to human and ecosystem health as harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. Alexandrium catenella, a producer of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), has a long history of causing toxicity in the Gulf of Alaska, yet there is little recognition of this organism as a human health concern north of Bering Strait. Here we describe an exceptionally large A. catenella benthic cyst bed and hydrographic conditions across the Chukchi Sea that support germination and development of recurrent, self-initiating, and self-seeding blooms. Two prominent cyst accumulation zones result from deposition promoted by weak circulation. Cyst concentrations are among the highest reported globally for this species and the cyst bed is 6X larger in area than any other recorded. These extraordinary accumulations are attributed to repeated inputs from advected southern blooms and to localized cyst formation and deposition. Over the last two decades, warming has likely increased the magnitude of the germination flux two-fold and advanced the inoculation of the euphotic zone, where conditions are now favorable for bloom development, by 20 days. The region is poised to support recurrent blooms that are unprecedented in scale, increasing exposure and health risks to Alaskan Arctic communities where economies are subsistence based. These observations also highlight how warming can facilitate HAB range expansions into waters where temperatures were formerly too cold.

Speaker Details

Don Anderson is a Senior Scientist in the Biology Department, at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He presently serves as Director of the Cooperative Institute for North Atlantic Region (CINAR) and as Director of the U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms. His research focus is on harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly called red tides, covering topics ranging from molecular and physiological studies of growth, sexuality, and toxin production to the large-scale oceanography and ecology of HABs, including numerical modeling, forecasting, and a range of monitoring and management strategies, many reliant on novel instrumentation and biosensors. A current research focus is on HABs in the Arctic. Anderson is author, co-author, or editor of over 330 scientific papers and 14 books.

The Bering Sea is experiencing many changes. Loss of sea ice and record high ocean and air temperatures continue to impact wildlife and all aspects of life for coastal communities. Through the Bering Region Ocean Update project, the Alaska Ocean Observing System works to increase regional data sharing among federal, state, community and private sector partners. Join us for an overview of the Winter 2020/2021 Bering Science report which is a resource to state, federal, community and university partners to share recent observations from in and around the Bering Sea with community members and other scientists and management agencies. This year’s report includes sections on storms, erosion, fish, crab, ocean acidification, plankton, HABs, marine mammals, marine debris and seabirds. The discussion will also provide updates on scientific research taking place during summer 2021 in the Bering Sea region.

Please follow the link above to register.

Speakers

• Rick Thoman, ACCAP at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Katie Howard, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Bob Foy or Maggie Mooney-Seus – NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center

We are happy to announce the 16th Workshop on Antarctic Meteorology and Climate (WAMC) joint with the Year of Polar Prediction in the Southern Hemisphere (YOPP-SH) meeting to be held virtually. The entirely online WAMC meeting brings together those with research and operational/logistical interests in Antarctic meteorology and forecasting and related disciplines. More broadly, this workshop also is a forum for current results and ideas in Antarctic meteorology, observations, automatic weather stations, numerical weather prediction, and weather forecasting, from contributors around the world. There will be discussions on the relationships among international efforts and Antarctic forecasting, logistical support, and science. We welcome presentations and workshop activities on these topics.

The international YOPP-SH meeting, also entirely online, will feature research resulting from the summer Special Observing Period (SOP) in 2018-2019 along with plans for participation in the upcoming winter SOP mid -April to mid-July 2022.

Further details regarding registration and abstract submission along with details on sessions for both meetings will be forthcoming in the near future!

Thank you on behalf of the WAMC organizing committee:

• David Bromwich, Ohio State University (2021 Organizer)
• Scott Carpentier, Australian Bureau of Meteorology
• Arthur Cayette, NIWC Systems Center
• Steve Colwell, British Antarctic Survey
• John Cassano, University of Colorado-Boulder
• Matthew Lazzara, Madison Area Technical College & University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Jordan Powers, National Center for Atmospheric Research

The U.S. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (US-SCAR) invites abstracts for the U.S. Antarctic Science Meeting. This meeting will take place online 12-15 July 2021.

US-SCAR is hosting a meeting for US scientists who are conducting research in, from or about Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Scientists interested in getting involved in Antarctic research through US programs are also welcome and encouraged to attend. This conference is open to all US scientists and anyone interested in US Antarctic research. There is no registration fee.

The meeting will provide opportunities for US Antarctic scientists to get together and present their work, and for early career researchers and others new to Antarctic science to learn about SCAR and the various resources available to US scientists for Antarctic-related research. There will be a mix of Lightning Talks, panels and social activities for the US Antarctic Community to meet and interact.

The meeting and associated events will be on Zoom. The schedule (see below) is set for two hours each day (one hour science and one hour panel) with additional time added for socializing. The panels will have brief presentations by panelists, and most of the time will be devoted to questions and discussion.

Abstract submission deadline: 21 June 2021.

Registration deadline: 9 July 2021.

The tools and techniques for making monthly and season scale climate forecasts are rapidly changing, with the potential to provide useful forecasts at the month and longer range. We will review recent climate conditions around Alaska, review some forecast tools and finish up the Climate Prediction Center’s forecast for July and the remaining summer season. Join the gathering online to learn more about Alaska climate and weather.

Please follow the link above to register.

This seminar will present a report prepared in relation to the project “Overview of EU actions in the Arctic and their impact”. The study considers a broad range of ways in which EU policies affect the Arctic and influence the EU’s environmental footprint and economic presence in the region. During the study the EU’s environmental and economic Arctic impact has been considered, relevant policies have been identified and analysed as well as policy options for strengthening the EU Arctic approach have been proposed.

The report has been written by a team of experts led by Prof. Timo Koivurova.

The seminar will include the presentation of the study, commentaries from Arctic stakeholders as well as insights into the current stage of developing the new EU’s policy towards the Arctic, to which the report is to contribute.

For more information and to register, please follow the link above.

The “Arctic Network for Climate Adaptation and Food Security” (ACAF) project organizes a series of international networking webinars on Arctic climate adaptation this Spring and early Summer. The ACAF project is run by the Natural Resources Institute Finland, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and monitored by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

The purpose of the ACAF project is to promote international cooperation on climate adaptation and good practices on climate adaptation in Arctic countries. With the networking workshops, our aim is to create and strengthen existing networks around Arctic climate change adaptation. In the networking webinars, researchers and representatives of organizations (NGOs, Arctic indigenous organizations, authorities,…) working on climate adaptation can present their recent and ongoing projects and other work on climate adaptation, learn about climate adaptation in other Arctic countries, exchange ideas, spread Arctic climate resilience expertise and create new contacts. In addition to presentations, time is allocated for group discussions.

Registration to the webinar is open until June 14th.

The program of the webinar is bilateral in the sense that there are presentations from Finland and from the USA (particularly Alaska), but the webinars are open to anyone interested from any Arctic or other country to participate as listener.

Please follow the link above for more information and to register.

NEW DATE - the webinar will now be held on Wednesday 16th June, 13:00-14:00 UTC. (The original date was June 9.)

This webinar series is designed to increase transparency of the Arctic Science Ministerial science process and to provide additional opportunities for scientists, Indigenous Peoples and Arctic research stakeholders to further engage with the science and proposed actions leading up to the Third Arctic Science Ministerial in Tokyo, Japan in May 2021. The webinar series is a joint cooperation between the ASM3 Organizers in Iceland and Japan and the European Polar Board.

Each webinar will be shared afterwards on the European Polar Board YouTube page and a written summary will be made available on the ASM3 website.

October 2021 will mark 50 years since the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was passed and Alaska Native corporations were first established. While Alaska Native corporations are indeed businesses, they are not typical publicly-traded corporations, nor are their shareholders typical. Their primary purpose centers on Alaska Native people, their communities and the promotion of their social, cultural, and economic advancement.

Please join the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute, with the ANCSA Regional Association and Alaska Native Village Corporation Association, to explore the unique ownership and missions of their member organizations. In addition to a panel of Alaska Native leaders, short videos will be played throughout the event to allow for storytelling by Alaska Native Elders who speak to the history and progress of Alaska Native corporations.

Moderators

Michael Sfraga
Director, Polar Institute // Director, Global Risk and Resilience Program

Kim Reitmeier
Executive Director, ANCSA Regional Association

Introductory Remarks

Raina Thiele
Senior Advisor, Alaska Affairs and Strategic Priorities, Department of Interior

Panelists

Jaeleen Kookesh
Vice President, Policy & Legal Affairs, Sealaska

Jason Metrokin
President & Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC)

Nathan McCowan
President & CEO, St. George Tanaq Corporation