Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #81: Upgrading and Networking of Northern Research Facilities: Pan-Canadian Logistical Support of International Polar Year 2007-08  (Upgrading and Networking of Northern Research Facilities: Pan-Canadian Logistical Support of International Polar Year 2007-08)

Outline
The goal of this proposal is to provide a pan-Canadian network of well-equipped northern field research facilities, building upon the strengths of existing infrastructure. Improved facilities will be essential to the successful execution of IPY-related projects in the Canadian North by both national and international investigators. This proposal does not aim to create new facilities; rather it attempts to make best use of existing platforms through strategic renovation and upgrades. It has two main foci: capacity and networking. Capacity Canada’s commitment to northern field research has weakened considerably over the last few decades. This has resulted in the dual legacy of deteriorating field infrastructure and a “generation gap” in Canadian polar scientists. With concerted effort, both of these deficiencies may be addressed. Researchers and educators require access to modern, efficient and well-equipped facilities. Each facility listed on this proposal has identified key infrastructure improvements critical to their continuing viability as centres of research excellence. In many cases, these needs have been articulated by the northern communities in which the stations operate. Examples include: modern laboratories, enhanced telecommunications in support of remote instrumentation, and improved classrooms. Community-based field stations occupy a unique position in northern communities. For northerners, field stations may be their only exposure to both the scientific method and application of results. More importantly, they facilitate the direct integration of traditional knowledge and cultural frameworks in locally conducted research. Networking There exists in Canada’s North a wide variety of field sites, both historic and extant, that have provided an operational base for countless researchers. This proposal seeks to apply a focused approach to upgrading research infrastructure. It is the intention of the applicants not to duplicate existing logistic networks (i.e. Polar Continental Shelf Project), but rather to compliment them. Five key community-based facilities have been selected as regional “hubs” from which further logistic advances can be made depending on need and resources. These sites are located at major ecological ecotones - areas of greatest predicted climatic and social change (i.e. subarctic treeline, estuaries, areas of future industrial development, alpine and marine coastal transition zones) each with many years of accumulated baseline data. In this proposal, networking has a broader meaning. Greater cooperation between the listed partners will facilitate synergies far beyond the initial scope of IPY activities. It is anticipated that co-applicants will develop direct linkages in programming, public outreach, student exchanges, comparative ecosystem monitoring and cost-sharing.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The enhancement of northern research infrastructure will make significant advances within several IPY themes: Theme 1 (Status) – The field stations listed on this proposal have a wide geographic coverage and are uniquely positioned to capture a comprehensive physical, biological and social “snapshot” of conditions in the present-day Canadian Arctic. Theme 2 (Change) – Each field station is located in a significant transitional zone particularly sensitive to the effects of a changing environment and have many years of accumulated baseline data. Theme 3 (Global Linkages) – This network will provide a platform for international research teams, allowing insights into areas otherwise difficult and expensive for them to access and will do so in a culturally appropriate manner. Theme 5 (Vantage Point) – A pan-Canadian network of field stations will facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a variety of ground-based meteorological and astronomical instruments. Theme 6 (Human Dimension) – Northern, community-based field stations will facilitate meaningful interaction between northern indigenous peoples and the international research community.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Upgraded research facilities will provide a platform for international investigators, allowing insights into areas otherwise difficult and expensive for them to access and a partnership approach to funding which provides a realistic and efficient use of limited resources. Specific international collaborations will be identified as the pre-proposal process advances.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The 5 community-based research facilities support the following geographic locations: southwest Yukon (Kluane Lake Research Station – Haines Junction/Burwash), Mackenzie Delta (Aurora Research Institute - Inuvik) Hudson Bay Lowlands (Churchill Northern Studies Centre - Churchill), northern Quebec (Centre d’études Nordiques - Kuujjuarapik), and Baffin Island (Nunavut Research Institute – Iqaluit/Igloolik).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/05-03/07      03/07-03/09      03/09 +
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The goal of this proposal is to provide improved logistic support and facilities to IPY-related research. Upgraded research facilities will provide a platform for international research teams, allowing insights into areas otherwise difficult and expensive to access and a partnership approach to funding which provides a realistic and efficient use of limited resources. Collaboration, networking and sharing of resources will be strongly encouraged.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The greatest legacy of this proposal will be access to high-quality facilities for future generations of northern scientists long after IPY is complete, providing opportunities for students at all levels. Strong regional centres will also enhance and protect the viability of the many smaller remote field camps located throughout the north. It is also hoped that it will foster a legacy of close cooperation with northern peoples.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

All of the above listed agencies are potential sources of logistic partnership, financial support or international cooperation.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Non-virtual infrastructure

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
YES

This proposal aims to enhance northern research infrastructure in support of IPY-related research. However, each co-applicant regards this application as a critical component of efforts already underway to update and modernize their facilities. This is reflected in the structure of the proposed budget (see section 3.5)

How will the project be organised and managed?
At the community level, each facility will consult with both local stakeholders and the research community in order to identify and manage areas of critical infrastructure improvement. In most cases, this conceptual planning has already been completed. At the national level, the five co-applicants will constitute a small working group that will coordinate the overall program with a critical eye to minimizing overlap and maximizing shared resources. It will also manage a common outreach program. At the international level, the co-applicants, working with the Canadian IPY Secretariat and Steering Committee, will facilitate the identification of IPY-related projects and the Canadian field logistic support they require.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Each co-applicant already undertakes established education and outreach programs with a variety of partners. For the purpose of IPY, a unified program of outreach will be developed using the internet as the communication medium and direct youth participation as the education medium. Examples include a website promoting the logistic services available in Canada, video-conferencing, student exchanges, and community-based monitoring initiatives.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
While precise data management needs have not yet been identified, northern communities are extremely interested in data management frameworks that will permit the free exchange and availability of data, yet respect the sensitive nature of local and traditional knowledge. A tremendous opportunity also exists to make accessible decades of unpublished baseline data collected from field stations.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We envision an overarching framework of support which would fund a proportion of the infrastructure enhancements required on an institution by institution basis. Each institution would then be responsible for leveraging the remaining funds through partnerships with provincial and territorial governments, corporations, and private foundations. Based on initial estimates, each facility requires, on average, $2.5 million dollars in capital upgrades for a total program cost of $12.5 million. The applicants will seek a proportional funding arrangement with IPY in which a realistic percentage of the total project cost is supported by IPY, the remainder being leveraged from other sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The contribution of this proposal to the International IPY effort has considerable potential. The network outlined in this application, in cooperation with existing logistic networks (i.e. PCSP, ArcticNet, etc.), can position Canada as a leader in the provision of scientific support in the Arctic. As individual projects take shape, principal investigators will seek out bases from which to undertake their research. Building and maintaining strong linkages between northern communities and proposed research – and the capacity to support that research – is critical. The research will go ahead, but only careful and coordinated planning will ensure the maximum benefit for northerners and Canadian researchers alike.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr  Michael Goodyear
Churchill Northern Studies Centre
Box 610, Churchill, Manitoba
R0B 0E0
Canada

Tel: (204) 675-2307
Mobile: no
Fax: (204) 675-2139
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation