MARCH 24, 2017--The week of March 20, the OR&R Assessment and Restoration Division’s (ARD) Spatial Data Branch held a three-day training to provide updates on tool development, NOAA General Counsel Natural Resources Section data requirements, and data management plans.

Activities also included practicing field collection and sample intake, and processing the field data in tools such as Photologger, DIVER, and ERMA. The team discussed the roles and responsibilities of the branch in relation to natural resource damage assessments (NRDA), incident data management plans, and federal open data requirements.

To improve the ability to consistently and efficiently respond on-scene to support injury assessments, the team practiced with and distributed new data management “go-kits” that include mobile office supplies such as a printer, power strips, folders, external hard drives, etc., packaged in Pelican cases and ready for travel. The team tested electronic data capture methods for tissue and sediment sampling forms using tablets and smart-phones, and compared the electronic process to the paper recording methods.

The week concluded with a field exercise which implemented the full sample intake process, from field sampling to uploading data and photos into DIVER and ERMA. The lessons learned will be applied to updated data management plans, standard operating procedures, and future training in order to stay prepared.

For more information, please contact Amy.Merten@noaa.gov.

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