On June 23, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and Marine Ecosystems Risk Team (MERT) will host an internal sanctuary learning exchange to introduce sanctuary research and management staff to NIDIS.
The interactive webinar will provide a forum to discuss how drought can impact sanctuary management more broadly, which, in turn, can help NIDIS investments support the needs of sanctuaries and other coastal and marine managers.
NIDIS staff will also introduce drought information tools, such as the NIDIS U.S Drought Portal (drought.gov) and the USGS Coastal Salinity Index, which can be used to inform sanctuary science and management.
This learning exchange will help fill needs identified during the Sanctuaries Climate Science Priorities Workshop organized and held by MERT in January. It also demonstrates how the MERT initiative has successfully fostered cross-NOAA partnerships to address the climate information needs of sanctuaries.
Developing partnerships to provide products, such as through this learning exchange, is an important component of CPO/MERT’s growing collaboration with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The goal of the MERT initiative is to reinforce and expand the application of climate science in National Marine Sanctuaries activities to support NOAA’s Stewardship mission.