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Forum Review and Follow-up Team Report(excerpted highlights)
August 26, 1999
Col. Terrence (Rock) Salt
Dear Rock,
Enclosed is the evaluation of the South Florida Restoration Science
Forum held May 17-19, 1999 in Boca Raton, Florida. I hope this
evaluation serves to reconfirm that the forum was an innovative and
valuable source of information exchange between participants; that the
efforts of those staff persons who worked so hard on the project should
be recognized and commended; and that the forum has provided
us with a baseline of information, technological tools and subject areas
from which further exchanges (both large and small) should emanate.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Kranzer, Ph.D., AICP,
Prior to, during, and after the forum, a web site had been created
http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf
to continuously inform and provide a site for
dialogue on all aspects of the Science Forum. The creation of this site and its
potential for long-term information dissemination, dialogue, data storage and
retrieval and communication herald a valuable and potent parallel track embarked
upon by this Science Forum.
The South Florida Restoration Science Forum web site, provided a solid
foundation for the forum. Before the forum, it provided guidance to display
developers and registration information to those wanting to participate. After
the forum, it continues to display and disseminate the information that was
collaboratively created. The creation of the web site was instrumental to the
forum's success and to the forum's continued role in the restoration effort.
This is one of many aspects of the forum that will be transferable to future
events both here and elsewhere.
The South Florida Restoration Science Forum brought together an amazing amount
of scientific and ecosystem management information. The transfer of this
information through a dynamic web site, poster sessions and panel presentations
provided even the most educated participants with additional insight into on-
going restoration efforts in South Florida. Most participants agreed that this
forum served its purpose of highlighting the connection between science and
management. While everyone did not agree that the format, content or means of
creating this forum were perfect, many participants learned what a vital role
communication plays in both scientific and management restoration roles.
Although the forum was unable to address all the issues between scientists and
management; as suggested by participants, the creation of specific follow up
sessions and workshops addressing the needs and issues arising from this type of
forum may serve useful in continuing two-way communication between managers and
scientists. Expanding the role of the social scientist needs to be an important
part of this on-going discussion.
The next step in making this forum a success is to capitalize on what we learn
from this year's proceedings and design future forums to continue the
interaction between scientists, managers, and the public. Continuation of the
web site as a communication tool and hosting a conference on a yearly basis was
a prime expectation and desire of participants. Developing specific themes
that address desired linkages and critical issues would be helpful. In this
regard future forums will be judged successful if they foster an open exchange
of ideas and result in improved communication linkages between scientists,
managers, and the people of South Florida.
Conveyance Letter (also shown above)
Download: Forum evaluation report
PDF (194 Kb) /
Text format
(263 Kb, Microsoft Word doc)
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U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Coastal Geology This page is: http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/evalhighlights.html Comments and suggestions? Contact: Heather Henkel - Webmaster Last updated: 11 October, 2002 @ 09:43 PM (HSH) |