GLIN==> GLOS Annual Meeting showcases the power of partnerships

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April 14, 2009



GLOS Annual Meeting showcases the power of partnerships

The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) held its annual meeting in Ann Arbor, Mich., April 6-7, 2009. Presentations and meeting materials are available at www.glos.us/mtgs/2009/presentations.php<http://www.glos.us/mtgs/2009/presentations.php>.

Zdenka Willis, director of the NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Program, highlighted national priorities and recent passage of the IOOS Authorization legislation. The authorization establishes IOOS as a formal program and recognizes the regional systems, including GLOS, as a key part of that program. It also provides some liability protections for data being served by the IOOS regions and officially acknowledges NOAA as the lead federal agency for IOOS, although the program remains an interagency effort.

Among other highlights was presentation of a GLOS Special Achievement Award to Dr. David Schwab. A physical oceanographer with the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Schwab was the inaugural chair of the GLOS Steering Committee (2004-06) and has developed an innovative hydrodynamic model to track currents, flows and water levels in the Huron to Erie Corridor (St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River). The model is being used in spill response efforts and to provide planning support for water quality and drinking water supplies in the area, as well as search and rescue operations.

[http://glos.us/updates/2009/schwab_award.jpg]Shown at the award presentation (l. to r.) are Dr. Jennifer Read, GLOS executive director; Dr. Schwab and his wife, Diane; and Bill Werick, chair of the GLOS Board of Directors.

Charter members of GLOS were recognized, including the Great Lakes Commission, Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystem Research, Great Lakes WATER Institute, Lake Carriers' Association, Gregory A.D., Great Lakes Research Consortium, and the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation.

Members voted to make official two interim appointments to the GLOS Board of Directors: G. Tracy Mehan III and Mark Burrows. Members voted to extend the terms of two additional Board members: Dale Phenicie and Nelson Thomas. Al Beeton has stepped down from the Board. The Board elected its officers, as follows: Bill Werick, chair; Frank Kudrna, vice chair; Mark Burrows, treasurer; Tracy Mehan, secretary.

Reports were delivered on GLOS's data integration efforts and prototype products; GLOS-supported models in the Huron to Erie Corridor; buoys and open water observing systems; curricula development for teaching with GLOS; and user needs assessments. A new GLOS product, Huron-to-Erie Nowcasting/Forecasting: www.glos.us/hecwfs<http://glos.us/hecwfs/>, allows users to view real-time and forecasted waterways data for the Huron-Erie corridor, including water levels and surface water speed.

Dr. Read outlined the FY2009 budget and moderated a members' forum to discuss data and information integration services that GLOS could potentially provide to the Great Lakes. For example, GLOS data might enhance the research and delivery of the State of the Great Lakes Ecosystem reports, prepared biennially by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada.

If you are interested in becoming a member of GLOS or have other questions about the GLOS Regional Association, contact Dr. Jennifer Read, executive director, at jenread at umich.edu<mailto:jenread at umich.edu> or 734.936.3622.


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This quarterly newsletter is prepared by GLOS as a service to its members, partners and the broader Great Lakes community. Please refer to www.glos.us<http://www.glos.us/> for more information on GLOS products, activities and milestones.

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Great Lakes Observing System
440 Church Street, Suite 4044   Ann Arbor, MI 48109   734-936-3622   www.glos.us<http://www.glos.us>
A GLOS Lake Views archive can be found at www.glos.us/updates<http://www.glos.us/updates>



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