NPN workshop funding session breakout notes (backup note taker – Jack Waide) —

What is the role of collections & national/regional herbaria?

How do we wish to focus discussions? Three separate pieces with different funding for each? Or a more integrated approach?

Need to consider issues of co-location, esp if think of this as network with different parts (citizen science, national professional network, intensified data collection & research). This will have big impact on costs and organization; creates different opportunities but also funding sources.

One clear possible source is foundations

Need to make some assumptions about base structure and how to fund, then additional layer to add and how to fund that? Otherwise discussions all over the board. For example, backbone more rigorous structure with citizen science added.

Assumption – base network linked to NERON/state mesonet type climatic data network and with baseline structured set of observations and clear protocols, w/ basically volunteer observers. Second level would be intensification of observations and with some research questions, perhaps linked to NEON/LTER/other research sites (ag exper stns, stream gaging networks, existing biological field stations (OBFS), …) and with funded technicians/scientists (smaller set of sites nested within backbone). Third level would be much larger network of citizen scientists, with smaller number of observations and protocols.

What is role of ag exper stations, county extension agents, and many other existing structures? How to link to existing MODIS phenology product(s) & other existing remote sensing vegetation index time series efforts, being done at annual time resolution. Connect in sense of ground truthing to field observations.

Funding considerations (all levels) – recruitment of observers, instruction materials for observers, collection of observations incl. web based data transmission, dissemination of data, internal organization (meetings, network development, ...), digitization of data & input, QA/QC, must also include base analyses & synthesis/summarization of data, feedback reports to observers, interactions with observers & fielding of multiple ongoing queries, small central staff (UK & Dutch have small staffs of 3-5 with specific areas on responsibility but also other duties) connected to regional (state level??) structures to address regional issues/questions (plant id, local logistics, …), gathering & input of historical information (a continuing need). Also outreach & communicating benefit of program to sponsors & others (marketing broadly speaking).

Value in having small grant funding mechanism to fund select research of value to entire network and for acquisition of historical & accessory data.

Fund research at second level separate from base level??

Need base web-based data base structure to host & disseminate data, with software. NBII a potential host site – could possible use & adapt UK software database system. Will be costs with both. This would allow future linkages with other international systems.

National/regional/state staffs would be points of contact with herbaria & collections.

Possibly use NEON Inc type structure, appropriately chartered, as mechanism to lead NPN and derive funding form multiple sources – states, federal agencies, foundations, … Work with AIBS in this regard. Partly a question of scale – depends on number of employees & participants, complexity of operations, … Given proposed structure this might be a good fit.

Funding model – a core level of funding to support the base program plus other funding for additional layers/needs. Tacit Assumption – need multiple funding sources with mechanism/organization to make it work.

Build in multi-step process – proof of concept in few states, then expand.

Funding sources – govt agencies, foundations, states,…

Gov’t agencies – USDA, DOI, NSF, EPA, NASA, DOE, NSF, NASA, NIH, NOAA, NEON

DOI/USGS/NBII – host website, data input & dissemination

NPS, FWS, BLM, DOD, DOE, NEON -- support sites (not FIA)

ARS, USGS, NSF, NASA, DOE – support research

USGS, NASA – phenospectral network, remote sensing products

NOAA – support NERON/mesonet components

NIH – support health related applications

NSF – support follow-on proposal to support proof of concept network organization & establishment; also possible source of long-term funding support for parts of for program (e.g., LTREB)

States – case by case basis, perhaps part of setting up proof of concept (e.g., NM, AZ); also connections thru state mesonets (state climatologists – ca. 13 states)

Private corporations – health related for allergens

Foundations – start with proof of concept & then go for longer term commitment in 5year blocks; assume this will serve as major source of care program support

Heinz Foundation – state of nation reports, real nexus with interests

Kellogg

Pew Trust/Foundation

Ford Foundation

Keck

Gates Foundation –science literacy, health

Moore foundation – interests in salmon

Google Foundation

Vulcan Foundn (Paul Moore)

Anna E. Casey Foundn

Arthur Daniels Midland (ADM)

MacArthur Foundn

Private/public corporations

The Weather Channel, CNN, Accuweather

Expedia, Travelocity

Diagnostic Products Corp (allergy diagnostics/equipment)

Pharmaceuticals

Arthur Daniels Midland Corp

Oil companies (Shell, BP, Texaco,…) – climate change solutions connections (risks)

Ag chemicals (great risks)

Banks

NGOs

Not likely a source of funds but good partners

Core funding for proof of concept start up organization

Central Office/staff – overall leadership, admin support, IT support, network/observer support, instructional materials, QA/Qc of data, hardware, office rent (4-5 FTEs)

Materials printing & distribution

Contract for web site/data base structure