AFS Briefing Discusses Data’s Impact on Conservation Efforts

AFS Briefing Discusses Data’s Impact on Conservation Efforts

AFS held a briefing on June 10^th, 2016 at one of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee’s briefing rooms to discuss geospatial tools that enable natural resource managers and their partners to implement targeted projects that advance smart conservation of aquatic ecosystems. AFS brought in three agency representatives from both the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to discuss their efforts to collect and use data to identify potential restoration projects, as well as areas in need of protection. The agency panelists were joined by a representative from Trout Unlimited who provided a non-governmental organization perspective on using this information and set of tools.  See below for panelist names and presentation titles.

The briefing was co-hosted by Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID-02) and Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), both of whom sit on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, which has jurisdiction over the programs and issues that were discussed. The venue presented a unique opportunity to bring the research and development efforts conducted by the Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey to the forefront of the minds of Capitol Hill staffers, other agency officials/staff, and other non-governmental organizations.

After the panelists’ presentations, there was a robust dialogue between the audience participants, the panelists, and AFS staff members. The conversation dove into the details of each of the programs/projects presented, related programs, and the need to continue to invest in funding for research and development within the area of aquatic resources.

Presentations and Speakers:

Fish need water: linking fish scales to geographic scales
Andrea Ostroff, Fisheries Program Manager, U.S. Geological Survey

Using science to guide the protection and restoration of cold-water fisheries
Bryan Moore, Chief Intergovernmental Officer, Trout Unlimited

Cost-effective development of broad-scale aquatic information to prioritize conservation actions
Dan Isaak, Research Fish Biologist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Forest Service

Spatial analysis of aquatic ecosystems to target priority areas for restoration
Gordie Reeves, Research Fish Biologist, Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service

See more photos from the briefing.