SCIENCE TOPICS

ABOUT THE ALASKA
SCIENCE CENTER

Weekly Highlights for 10-27-2009

I. Departmental/Bureau News

A. Upcoming Events

No Upcoming Events highlights for this week

B. Current

Animated Maps of Walrus Movements Presented at Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Conference
The USGS Alaska Science Center provided an animation of 179 walruses tracked by USGS using satellite-linked radio over the course of the past six years. The animated maps provided direct insights on how walruses move across Alaska's western seas, connecting the communities that rely on them. This information was used by the US Fish and Wildlife Service - Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and presented at the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) annual conference in Anchorage, October 22 - 24. AFN is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska and its membership includes 178 villages, 13 regional Native corporations, and 12 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums. It's mission is to enhance and promote the cultural, economic, and political voice of the Alaska Native community.
Contact: Anthony Fischbach Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7145

Alaska and Canada Collaborate on Cross-Border Geology
During the week of October 26 USGS Alaska Science Center geologists Peter Haeussler and Sue Karl are meeting in Vancouver with geologists from the Geological Survey of Canada, the British Columbia Geological Survey, and the Yukon Geological Survey to discuss cross-border geology. Under a collaborative research initiative (called “EDGES”), our Canadian colleagues are applying a suite of geoscience tools, including detailed frontier geological mapping, airborne geophysics, paleontology, geochronology, and isotope studies, to help outline resource-rich environments for both scientific and economic benefit. The USGS has performed similar studies on the U.S. side and joint field work in 2009 proved to be of great scientific benefit to both.
Contact: Tom Miller Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7454

USGS Science at Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium
USGS Alaska Science Center (ASC) hydrologists and ecologists will present project results and research directions at the Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium November 18 and 19 in Wasilla, Alaska. Topics presented will include research on shallow groundwater in the Mat-Su Valley, the hydrologic regimes of peatlands near Big Lake, Alaska, and an assessment of Matanuska River bank erosion. This second annual symposium aims to promote an exchange of information regarding Mat-Su salmon conservation and research activities and includes both traditional science presentations and working sessions to promote information exchange on data gaps and the upcoming research agendas of agencies and other groups active in the Mat-Su region of Alaska. USGS ASC is also a co-sponsor of the Symposium.
Contact: Janet Curran Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7128

II. Press Inquiries/Media

No Press Inquiries highlights for this week

Return to Highlights page

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://alaska.usgs.gov
Page Contact Information: ascweb@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: June 17, 2009