1. Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic ELOKA works to provide data management and user support to facilitate the collection, preservation, exchange, and use of local observations and knowledge of the Arctic. ELOKA helps make LTK and community observations discoverable, so more information is available for research and community decision making. LTK = Local and Traditional Knowledge ELOKA Shari Gearheard, Chris McNeave, Mark Parsons

2. ELOKA Activities Identified and met with all partner projects, defined requirements, and planned data acquisition. Ongoing outreach and communication with Arctic residents and facilitation of communication with scientists. Investigated systems for the preservation, presentation, discovery, and distribution of CBM and LTK data. Some initial prototyping for:  a.Data collection processes  b.Metadata development--developing and testing of data collection profile  c.Database Webpage development--project registry, discussion forum, metadata registry, community sub-pages and community networking

3. ELOKA Plans Implement metadata registry Provide collection level metadata to CADIS for ELOKA projects and assist others who are interested Implement project registry Partner collaboration workshop Develop access and discovery systems for narrative information (Narwhal test case) Archive and distribute data from partners Web-based system to facilitate the comparison of information across data and sources (e.g. sea ice concentration, narwhal migration) Develop online communication and networking tools to link researchers, students, and Arctic communities, and promote better data discovery.

4. ELOKA and AON  Community-based observations are a key part of any AON; these observations need specialized data management  ELOKA provides a data management service and hub for discovery of LTK and community-based monitoring in the Arctic  A major function of ELOKA is to help facilitate links between LTK and science eloka-arctic.org