Full Proposals for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Proposed IPY Activity Details

1.0 PROPOSER INFORMATION

(Activity ID No: 21)

1.1 Title of Activity
U.S. National Park Service. Understanding environmental change and its biological, physical, social, subsistence and cultural effects in national parks and protected areas of Alaska, Chukotka, and the Yukon, through research, monitoring, education and outreach.

1.2 Short Form Title of Proposed Activity
USNPS. Understanding environmental change in national parks and protected areas of the Beringian Arctic

1.3 Activity Leader Details
Robert Winfree
National Park Service, Alaska Region
USA

1.4 Lead International Organisation(s) (if applicable)
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL

1.5 Other Countries involved in the activity
Russia
Canada
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL

1.6 Expression of Intent ID #'s brought together in this proposed activity
0

1.7 Location of Field Activities
Arctic

1.8 Which IPY themes are addressed
1. Current state of the environment
2. Change in the polar regions
3. Polar-global linkages/tele-connections
6. The human dimension in polar regions

1.9 What is the main IPY target addressed by this activity
1. Natural or social science

top of page

2.0 SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITY

The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) proposes a series of integrated research, monitoring, education and outreach projects designed to better understand and communicate change in Arctic environments in Alaska (United States) and adjacent areas of Chukotka (Russia) and the Yukon Territory (Canada). Proposed projects within this effort include the following:

Implement the “Vital Sign” Monitoring Program for Arctic (ARCN) and Central Alaska (CAKN) Networks. These new programs, based on conceptual models and long term monitoring objectives now in development, will implement monitoring of a broad suite of biological, chemical and physical indicators on 40.6 million acres of NPS lands and waters in and around eight national park units in Alaska. Implement baseline archaeological inventories and ethnographic research: During 2007-2008 new archaeological inventories will be conducted at selected locations in Cape Krusenstern, Denali, and Yukon-Charley Rivers to locate and systematically document prehistoric human occupation sites in arctic and subarctic coastal, inland, and riverine environments. Also, ethnographic research at Yukon-Charley will synthesize oral, written and archival data to produce a comprehensive ethnographic assessment.
Report results of the Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Program (WACAP). During 2007-2008 this ongoing multi-regional inter-agency US program will report on airborne contaminants in arctic, subarctic, high-altitude and high latitude areas. A series of journal articles and presentations will be submitted for publication during the IPY. Results will include contaminants assessments, spring snow pack data, and atmospheric back trajectories for multiple airborne contaminants potentially affecting polar areas. A separate study will report on biological effects of airborne heavy metal deposition (mineral dust) in Cape Krusenstern.
Convene two conferences on arctic parks and protected areas. Scientific conferences and workshops focused on science and conservation of Arctic ecosystems and cultures will be co-sponsored by NPS during the IPY. The 2007 (bilingual) conference in Chukotka will be organized with Russian cooperators through the Beringian International Heritage Program (Beringia). The 2008 symposium in Alaska will be organized with the USGS, other US cooperating agencies, and possibly Beringia program cooperators. Both symposia will be multi-disciplinary (biological, physical, cultural, and social sciences).
Focused journal issue on climate change in Alaska’s national parks. A focused issue of the Alaska Park Science journal will be published during 2007 in both printed and web-based formats. Internet-based supporting materials, targeted to meet the curriculum requirements of middle and high-school science teachers and students, will also be developed. Issues in 2008-2009 will highlight findings from research underway during IPY.
Digitized photo archives of arctic national parks. NPS collections of Alaska photos will be screened and a representative collection of historic photographs documenting natural and cultural resources and human activities in Alaska’s NPS areas (targeting 50-100 photographs of each area) will be digitally reproduced for use in IPY symposia and publications. This collection will also be augmented by recent photos, possibly including repeat visits to photograph and document change at the sites of historic photographs. Augment photo collection by working in cooperation with local Native residents and Native entities of the 36 neighboring communities to Arctic parks to acquire copies of historical photos documenting historical landform conditions. Obtain use permission, digitize and make available to Arctic researchers for use as dated baseline conditions.
Focused competitive funding programs. Support for a series of new focused projects will be provided through identification and consideration of IPY-related criteria in the proposal request and evaluation processes of appropriate National Park Service competitive grant programs. Eligible activities will include research, natural and cultural resource inventories and monitoring, recording of local and traditional knowledge, trend analysis, education and public outreach in Alaska and adjacent areas of Chukotka and the Yukon Territory. For IPY 2007-2008 we will specifically invite proposals to study and inform the public about: arctic/subarctic climate change, global and local contaminants, exotic species in the arctic and subarctic, increasing human use of parks and protected areas, and resource development within and surrounding these areas.

2.1 What is the evidence of inter-disciplinarity in this activity?
This proposal covers a suite of inter-connected research, monitoring, outreach and educational activities in the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences. The NPS Vital Signs monitoring program, which is scheduled for implementation during IPY, will involve integrated data collection and data analysis from the biological, physical, and social sciences. Several programs listed herein support multidisciplinary research and education projects focused on the natural and cultural sciences. Other multidisciplinary elements of this proposal include outreach and education through the Arctic Park Science Symposium and the Climate Change issue of Alaska Park Science, both of which will be broadly inclusive of the biological, physical, cultural and social sciences.

2.2 What will be the significant advances/developments from this activity? What will be the major deliverables? What are the outputs for your peers?
Products will include:
An integrated suite of peer-reviewed protocols for monitoring environmental change in Alaska’s national parks, and the data from this Vital Signs monitoring program.
Reports from baseline archaeological inventories and ethnographic research.
WACAP publications, presentations, and databases.
Digitized historic and present day photographs of subject areas.
Two scientific conferences, in Alaska and Chukotka, which will provide forums during IPY through which scientists working on arctic science topics can present results and interact with their peers, resource managers, educators, and the public, through oral and poster presentations, associated workshops and focused group meetings. Approximately 3000 copies of one or more IPY-focused issues of the Alaska Park Science journal will be distributed to scientists, resource managers, educators, decision makers, and public libraries.

2.3 Outline the geographical location(s) for the proposed field work (approximate coordinates will be helpful if possible)

2.4 Define the approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities?

2.5 What major logistic support/facilities will be required for this project?
Fixed wing transport aircraft
Helicopters

Further details – Further details – Logistical support requirements for Vital Signs monitoring will primarily be for transportation of scientific staff and equipment to field sites in remote locations, including by small planes (both float and wheeled) , helicopter, and boat. Commercial air transport will be required for travel between US and Chukotka.Most field groups will be self-supported for field equipment, but will depend upon commercial and agency-owned aircraft for transportation. Logistical support requirements of independent scientists supported through NPS grants have not been determined.

2.6 How will the required logistics be supplied? Have operators been approached?

2.7 If working in the Arctic regions, has there been contact with local indigenous groups or relevant authorities regarding access?

top of page

3.0 STRUCTURE OF THE ACTIVITY

3.1 Origin of the activity
This is a pulse of activity during 2007-2009 within an existing programme

If part of an existing programme please name the programme – National Park Service programs listed in 3.2

3.2 How will the activity be organised and managed? Describe the proposed management structure and means for coordinating across the cluster
NPS activities will be managed by the respective program managers for the Alaska Inventory & Monitoring Program, the Cultural Resource Preservation Program, the Beringian International Heritage Program, the North & West Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, and the Murie Science and Learning Center. The Alaska Regional Science Advisor will ensure cross-program coordination through a recently established coordinating group referred to as the Alaska Science and Education Forum. He will also organize the Alaska Arctic Park Science Symposia and the focused issue(s) of the Alaska Park Science journal.
Local coordination: Most activities will be conducted in protected National Park Service areas where there are established long-term relationships with local people. The NPS maintains close contact with Alaskan tribes and Native corporations through several local and regional liaisons, including Alaska Natives. The NPS also has regular contact with Russian authorities regarding projects supported through the Beringia International Heritage Program, and with Canadian authorities through counterparts in border parks. For these and other projects, we will ensure appropriate contact with local groups and authorities.

3.3 Will the activity leave a legacy of infrastructure and if so in what form?
Vital Signs monitoring initiated during IPY is expected to continue for several decades or longer. Scientific specimens collected through Vital Signs monitoring, and specimens collected during archaeological inventories will be catalogued into the NPS permanent collection and data will be incorporated into national databases. The NPS has identified need for field laboratories (Research Learning Centers) at all 32 I&M networks nationwide. The Murie Science and Learning Center that opened at Denali National Park and Preserve in 2004 is one such facility. The NPS Alaska Regional Science Strategy, currently nearing completion, recognizes additional need and for a new Research Learning Center within the Arctic Network to support studies at Noatak National Preserve and other Western Alaska locations. Although we have not secured funding for an Arctic Research Learning Center or to improve support capacity at the other locations, we remain hopeful that the IPY may provide a venue for advancing such a proposal. The two scientific conferences listed here are planned as IPY-focused events within a continuing series of annual or bi-annual meetings. Previous conferences have focused on Glacier Bay and Beringia. The themes for future conferences (after IPY) have not been determined.

3.4 Will the activity involve nations other than traditional polar nations? How will this be addressed?
These activities are focused on lands, water, climate, and cultures in Alaska and adjacent areas of Chukotka and the Yukon Territory. Although the full suite of cooperators has not been identified, scientists from other nations commonly conduct research within these areas. The Arctic Park Science Symposium will have a geographically focused theme (Beringian Arctic), but opportunities for participation will be broadly inclusive.

3.5 Will this activity be linked with other IPY core activities? If yes please specify
The NPS programs described here are linked with the National Park System of 32 I&M networks and 388 NPS management units nationwide. The geographic area for this proposal overlaps the North Slope Science Initiative (NSSI), although program objectives differ somewhat. NPS is an NSSI member and will coordinate appropriate efforts.

3.6 How will the activity manage its data? Is there a viable plan and which data management organisations/structures will be involved?
The Arctic and Central Alaska I&M Networks are among 32 biogeographic networks nationwide and will serve their data through national databases meeting US federal data management standards. The networks are developing detailed vital signs monitoring plans that will include both monitoring protocols and data management protocols. The plans will be completed by and implemented during IPY.

3.7 Data Policy Agreement
Will this activity sign up to the IPY draft Data Policy (see website)
Yes

3.8 How will the activity contribute to developing the next generation of polar scientists, logisticians, etc.?
The previously described research, monitoring, educational and interpretive activities will provide support for graduate student researchers, post-docs, and undergraduate technicians, including Native, minority, and partner nation students through project funding, travel and conference support, and temporary employment. The NPS will devote substantial effort to educational and interpretive programs (described under 3.9) designed to interest and motivate students to pursue science careers.

3.9 How will this activity address education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The Arctic Park Science Symposium and Alaska Beringia conference will encompass broad participation of scientists, resource managers, educators, and the general public. We plan to subsidize participation costs of graduate, undergraduate, and secondary-school students, and will also provide opportunities for appropriate presentations by student researchers. Opportunities for video conferencing and web-broadcasting of symposium events will be explored with cooperating schools and universities and tested at the Murie Science and Learning Center before 2007.
The NPS Alaska Regional Office and the Murie Science and Learning Center will develop educational and interpretive programs utilizing findings from these and other IPY projects, and will communicate the information through NPS interpretive programs for millions of visitors annually to Alaska’s national parks and for participants in our Anchorage-based urban education programs. Much of this material will also be made available to teachers by through the NPS Parkwise educational website at: http://www.nps.gov/akso/ParkWise/Teachers/TeacherResources.htm
Pre-college age students will participate in environmental monitoring at selected Alaska park sites (e.g., Alaska Lake Ice and Snow Observatory Network at Denali’s Horseshoe Lake). Additionally, we will provide funding opportunities for urban and rural school projects in Alaska and Chukotka through the Beringia program and Coastal Marine grants

The 2007 Climate Change issue of the Alaska Park Science journal will be a high quality, well illustrated, plain language publication written by scientists. Printed copies will be provided to scientists and resource managers, government decision makers, educators, and public libraries. Field work conducted during and subsequent to IPY will also be communicated in future issues of Alaska Park Science. A second (possibly bilingual) focused issue may also be produced in 2008 or 2009. Complete printable on-line versions of this journal are available on-line worldwide at: http://www.nps.gov/akso/AKParkScience/index.htm

3.10 What are the proposed sources of funding for this activity?
Primary funding will be sought from the programs listed below. Supplemental funding and in-kind contributions will also be sought from other sources for partner agencies and institutions in other countries:
NPS Natural Resource Challenge (for WACAP, Arctic Park Science Symposium and partial funding for focused issue(s) of the Alaska Park Science journal.)
NPS Natural Resource Challenge - Inventory & Monitoring Program (for monitoring and associated activities)
NPS Cultural Resource Preservation Program, Systemwide Archaeological Inventory Program
NPS Beringian International Heritage Program (for Beringia conference science workshops in the US and Chukotka, cooperative Beringia-focused Alaska-Chukotka-Yukon research, education, and outreach projects.)
National Park Foundation - Alaska Coastal Marine funds (funding for coastal and marine research, education, and outreach projects, including printing of Alaska Park Science).

3.11 Additional Comments
This proposal outlines a suite of integrated activities to be implemented by the US National Park Service, cooperating agencies, institutions, and individuals during International Polar Year 2007-2009. These projects are focused on the Beringian Arctic, including Alaska and adjacent areas of Chukotka and the Yukon Territory. Resources of several existing NPS programs, and possibly other programs to be identified, will be coordinated and focused to accomplish the projects described herein. Implementation planning is underway for several projects described above, including Vital Signs monitoring, science conferences in Alaska and Chukotka, and one focused journal issue. Several additional projects will be selected through competitive review of funding proposals beginning in the fall of 2005 (one to two years prior to project implementation).

top of page

4.0 CONSORTIUM INFORMATION

4.1 Contact Details

Lead Contact
Dr Robert Winfree
National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office
240 West 5th Avenue Anchorage, AK
99501-2327
USA

Tel:          907-644-3516
Mobile:   907-230-4588
Fax:         907-644-3816
Email:       robert_winfree@nps.gov

Second Contact
Dr to be determined (TBD) TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

Tel:          TBD
Mobile:   TBD
Fax:         TBD
Email:      robert_winfree@nps.gov

4.2 Other significant consortium members and their affiliation