Strategic Sciences News

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SSG Supports response to 2018 Kilauea Eruption (volcanoes.usgs.gov)
volcano
8/1/2019
On July 17-19, 2018, the Department of the Interior (DOI) Strategic Sciences Group (SSG) convened a multidisciplinary group of experts in Hilo, Hawai’i, to consider the cascading consequences of the 2018 Kilauea eruption to DOI resources, employees, and facilities as well as to the surrounding communities. The team developed scenarios to identify potential actions and known knowledge gaps to mitigate the negative effects of the eruption. This activation of the SSG was supported by the US Geological Survey (USGS).
SSG methods used to investigate invasive animal pathogen (pubs.er.usgs.gov)
salamander
5/12/2017
Through SSG facilitation, the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative hosted a workshop on the the emerging amphibian fungal disease Bsal. Discussions focused on Appalachia with participants from NPS, USFWS, Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative, USDA/USFS, TN Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Workshop goals included the identification of barriers that might slow a rapid response to a Bsal detection and scientific data gaps that need to be filled to support Bsal-related decisions. Participants explored the cascading consequences of a hypothetical Bsal detection in Great Smoky Mountains National Park followed by associated die-offs on USFS and Cherokee lands.
Science During Crisis workshop at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (www.amacad.org)
American Academy of Arts & Sciences logo
4/21/2017
SSG staff collaborated with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to convene a workshop on science during crisis at the House of the Academy in Cambridge, MA. Participants explored the best practices, a research agenda, and policy recommendations for science during crisis. A forthcoming Academy publication will summarize workshop conclusions.
In the News: Zika Virus Workshop for National Academies Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness and Catastrophic Events - Archive
Mosquito lands on a hand.
6/14/2016
SSG staff co-facilitated a workshop on Zika virus at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness and Catastrophic Events. Using elements of SSG scenario-building methodology, workshop participants explored a scenario of active Zika virus transmission by mosquitoes in the continental US and the cascading consequences of implementing different types of integrated vector management strategies. Participants were encouraged to use workshop findings upon return to their home institutions which included federal, state, and local government offices.
Web Reads: SSG presents at 2015 Annual American Geophysical Union meeting - Archive
AGU 2015 Fall Meeting
12/18/2015
At the world’s largest Earth and space sciences meeting, the SSG presented findings of a capacity-building exercise it conducted in Spring 2015 to test the applicability of its scenario-building methods to slow-onset disasters associated with climate change.
Web Reads: SSG Expert Roster system presented at 2015 Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
7/10/2015
The SSG has formed partnerships with 20 professional societies and academic centers across the physical, life, and social sciences to expedite the formation of crisis science teams by helping to identify and vet potential team members. The SSG discussed the efficacy of this network with researchers, practitioners, and policy makers at this annual conference.
Web Reads: ASLO Bulletin Features SSG Collaboration for Disaster Response - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
5/12/2015
Collaborations between the SSG and professional societies, such as the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, allow scientists and other experts to apply their knowledge to disaster response as members of SSG's crisis science team.
Web Reads: Discussing Science Amidst Oil Spills, Hurricanes, and other Disasters at AAAS Annual Meeting - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
2/14/2015
The SSG will convene a panel at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2015 annual meeting highlighting innovative approaches, best practices, and challenges for conducting and disseminating science during crises.
Web Reads: SSG Participates in 2014 AGU Meeting in San Francisco - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
12/17/2014
The SSG co-convened a session at the 2014 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Annual Meeting, the largest Earth and space science meeting in the world, on “Exploring the Roles of Science, Communication, and Education throughout the Disaster Lifecycle”.
Web Reads: SSG Guest Editorial Encourages Ecologists to Participate in Rapid Response Efforts - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
11/1/2014
Dr. Kiza Gates and Dr. Kris Ludwig published a guest editorial describing the critical role of professional societies in helping to identify potential SSG crisis science team members and encouraging scientists to engage in rapid response efforts.
Web Reads: SSG Scenario Methodology Used to Engage Key Stakeholders in Louisiana's Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
8/29/2014
Dr. Craig Colten at The Water Institute of the Gulf conducted workshops resulting in a report on scenario-building as a tool for decision making. Results were used to engage stakeholders with Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Co
Science Support for Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
4/1/2014
While much of DOI science during crisis is necessarily tactical, recent events have highlighted the additional need for a strategic approach during crisis.
Using Scenarios to Improve Resilience to Major Storms - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
2/24/2014
The Sound Waves newsletter delves in to the new report released by the Department of the Interior Strategic Sciences Group and discusses how the Department is helping to improve resilience to future major storms.
In the News: Science During Crisis, Group Helps Decision-Makers with Long-Term Strategy - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
11/6/2013
Formally established in January 2012, the SSG is a small, adaptable group of scientists charged with visiting live disaster sites like Hurricane Sandy or the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and providing decision-makers with information that
Web Reads: Star Spangled Science, Bouncing Back from Hurricane Sandy - Archive
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
10/31/2013
Operational Group Sandy participant discusses her involvement in the SSG deployment following hurricane Sandy.

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