Scientists Gather for NGEE Arctic All-Hands Meeting

Participants, guests, and partners in the NGEE Arctic project met at the PARC 55 Hotel in San Francisco to review progress and accomplishments, and outline plans for the coming year. More than 100 people attended the two-day meeting including sponsors from the DOE, Office of Science, Climate and Environmental Sciences Division, members of our Science Advisory Board (SAB), representatives from the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) and NASA ABoVE projects, ARCUS, the International Permafrost Association, the Korean Polar Research Institute, and other international guests (Figure 1). Speakers during the first day of the meeting updated attendees on Phase 2 science goals and objectives, progress made in 2016 on the Seward Peninsula, and the questions that will drive field, laboratory, and modeling research in the coming years. Several task leaders led discussions on critical field activities for 2017 and an evaluation of datasets required for modeling both in Barrow and at field sites outside Nome. Data, safety, and project management were an integral part of these discussions. Presentations on Day 2 focused on highlighting priority research at our Nome field sites, and targeted activities for 2017. Members of the project also made progress on drafting a Code of Conduct and Field Expectations. This reflects a growing desire to be specific about what is, and is not, acceptable behavior when working at field sites away from our home institutions. Finally, more than 45 posters were on display and promoted discussion during breakfast, lunch, and breaks. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a productive and enjoyable meeting.

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Figure 1.  Participants in the NGEE Arctic project along with inter-agency partners and guests pose for a group picture at the all-hands meeting held in San Francisco, CA.