1. Connecting Science and Management: An information value chain NPS 2008 GIS/Data Management Conference April 2, 2008

2. Complex Environment The NPS is “confronted with increasingly complex and challenging issues that require broad-based understanding of the status and trends of each Park’s natural resources as a basis for making decisions, working with other agencies, and communicating with the public to protect Park natural systems and native species.” - From science.nature.nps.gov/im/

3. Numerous studies highlight threats – both inside and outside Park borders

4. A Crucial Role NPS GIS and Data Managers play a crucial role in developing and communicating the information that addresses this need

5. Technology Needs  Visualization tools, interactive products  Paradigm shift: Google and Google maps  New tools and techniques to extract content from dissimilar data sets

6. Science Needs  Greater range of spatial data options, including ecological information and predictive models  Improved estimates of viability  Ability to measure changes over time and attribute those changes to specific threats  Ability to summarize those changes using indicators of ecosystem condition  Integration of socio-economic data

7. Institutional Context  Larger, more challenging initiatives  Expectation of collaboration and sharing  Emphasis on quality control  Expectation of free and open access  High value placed on keeping control in hands of data providers, especially through distributed architectures

8. Complexity Leads to Challenges  Biological systems are inherently complex  Sheer size and geographic distribution of the Park units  Complex decision-making processes © Charlie Brown Photos

9. Keep it Simple Information professionals increase their chances of both mission and financial success if they use proven techniques to summarize that complexity in discreet and recognizable steps. Not rocket science !

10. By organizing your work into a series of concepts that build on each other, a “value chain” you can demonstrate how you deliver products and services that benefit decision makers at multiple levels.

11. NPS and NatureServe have a lot in common

12. Distributed Networks of Programs

13. Need for quality and consistency  Taxonomic reconciliation  Handling sensitive data  Dealing with spatial uncertainty  Setting and observing standards

14. We work together mapping vegetation of the National Parks Field data collection Data Preparation and Transformation Data Analysis Data storage and Q/C

15. PLOT SIZE 400 sq. m. for Forests and Woodlands 100 sq. m. for Shrubland and Herbaceous Vegetation LOCATION DATA recorded to ≤ 10 m accuracy with GPS unit VEGETATION DATA Presence and cover of all vascular taxa at six height strata Measurements of all woody stems ≥ 2.5 cm DBH ENVIRONMENTAL DATA Topographic Position Cover of surface substrates (wood, bedrock, boulders, etc.) Slope Aspect Soil samples Standard data collection methods

16. Standard data storage system

17. Final products, Voyageurs National Park

18. Results further inform national view

19. Other Areas of Cooperation  National T&E Species database  Essential information to report on progress towards GIPRA goals  Key ecological attributes and integrity factors  Seamless network of protected areas Wood Stork, G4 N3

20. Parks Canada + NatureServe Increased PCA ability to report and manage biodiversity Standards both technical and scientific Capacity : to manage biodiversity data and systems; to synthesis data into conservation units Software : Biotics, Observation Module plus ICE Science : Taxonomy, data models Cost effective + partnership building

23. Image courtesy of Parks Canada

25. Using Element Occurrence Information SAR monitoring and recovery Land Management (trails, roads – infrastructure change etc) Ecological Integrity monitoring Environmental Assessments etc

26. Ultimate goal is to inform decisions

27. “A flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.” Kurt Vonnegut

28. Data Updates: Changes to Data Keep on Coming  Keep abreast of scientific advancements and regulatory changes that impact species and ecological data. Including:  names  classification  descriptions  distribution  conservation status ranks More Data!

29. Quality System Tools  Help screens  Online knowledge base  Methodology Training & companion CD  Software routines  Data exchange documentation  Benchmark data content standards  Data sharing agreements

30. FGDC / NBII Standard Metadata  Describe characteristics of the data  Training offered at NatureServe Conferences  FGDC compliant metadata delivered with data products  Includes the NBII Biological Metadata Extension

31. National and International Standards  US Forest Service and BLM sensitive species  US Fish and Wildlife Service candidates for listing under the ESA  General Status of Species in Canada  US Department of Transportation ecologically sensitive areas  Federal Geographic Data Committee  IUCN

32. Supporting and Training Users  Training staff and partners on methods and database use.  Supporting users to implement the methodology.  Developing a detailed knowledge base.  Hosting conferences to discuss and understand user needs.  Developing “Help” documentation for database users. Consistent application of methodology requires well trained practitioners and ongoing technical support.

33. Keeping up with Technology  A never-ending proposition

34. Data Management: More than Meets the Eye What you see: What you don’t:  Data updates  Reconciliation of member program data  Quality control & assurance  New data development  Scientific methodology refinement  User support & training  Software development  Website updates & upgrades

35. Keep it Simple  Describe a process that moves forward and leads to a recognized goal  Convey a sense of connection between activities  Make the link to specific programs Not rocket science !

36. Information Value Chain Data collection (field inventory); data recording Data management and quality assurance Conservation expertise and analysis Information access and interoperability Decision Support Scientific standards and methods Conservation Decisions Distribution and Use Data Management Collection

37. Value chain shows connections between goals and activities Data collection (field inventory); data recording (ATBI) Data management and quality assurance (NPSpecies, GIS Theme Manager, Metadata) Conservation expertise and analysis Information access and interoperability (NPS Data Store, NPSpecies Online) Decision Support Scientific standards and methods (I&M Protocols, NR Database Template) Conservation Decisions Distribution and Use Data Management Collection ?

38. Use a Value Chain to increase your own job success  Don’t be a victim of bias against investments in information management  Think about how to articulate the underlying value of your work and its contribution to larger goals  Use imagery and consistency in your messaging to establish and support your work, and achieve your program’s goals

39. "It seems to me time for the country to take account of its natural resources, and to inquire how long they are likely to last. We are prosperous now; we should not forget that it will be just as important to our descendants to be prosperous in their time.” Theodore Roosevelt, White House Conference of Governors, May 1908

40. ©Doug Backlund, South Dakota NHP Inspiration