1. “THE” Arctic Observing Network: A perspective from program to international Erica Key National Science Foundation Arctic Observing Network Program

2. Deadline for NSF AON proposals: October 21, 2014 New language in the solicitation is two-fold: Draws off of input at OSTP / OMB meeting in January and governance webinars Allows for development of value-added products - leveraging existing NSF-AON catalog and other agency contributions - supports interoperable, intercomparable measurements - builds capacity for integrated, interdisciplinary, or system measurements - increases connectivity with PLR CI program through co-review Encourages long-term vision for network design - spurs proposers to consider scales and targets for observing - integrates project and risk management concepts into design - furthers “science of measurement” as opposed to maintenance - develops metrics to evaluate return on investment NSF-AON Competition Status

3. Current observing-related strategic activities Use-inspired science / Return on investment All: Arctic Observing Assessment National: US GEO Assessment, USGCRP Our Changing Planet Agency: TPIO Visualization (NOAA) Governance and planning All: Arctic Observing Viewer IARPC: Master Schedule NSF-AON: Webinar series and distributed input Coordination and communication All: ArcticHub, Arctic Observing Viewer, Arctic Observing Assessment International: Belmont Forum Arctic CRA, French Arctic Strategy Operation (awareness, partnership) All: Arctic Observing Viewer, ArcticHub, Arctic Observing Assessment International: Belmont Forum Arctic CRA, Canadian Observing Inventory IARPC: Agency/Organization Webinars, Cross-Cut Webinars NSF-AON: Outreach materials

4. Outputs and potential uses Arctic Observing Assessment Demonstrate gaps/strengths in: - documented user needs - interoperable information - available data integration tools and accessible formats - observing, monitoring, inventory, assessment of requested fields Arctic Observing Viewer Visualize and document available observations to: - showcase coverage and link to archives - encourage “neighbor” interchanges within/between sciences - provide information for out-year, shortfall planning and coordination - identify interdisciplinary or system nodes or hotspots - provide accessibility to a range of users ArcticHub Connect a broad observing community by: - highlighting available online resources and tools for observing - hosting Arctic Observing Assessment build-out and web interface - providing tailored communication and workspaces for thematic groups - enabling user input to site functionality

5. Considerations and conversations for the future for NSF-AON and the broader AON universe Grids, nodes, hotspots, and realizing a “design” - What is the return on investment in science and management of remote deployments? - Does place-based design encourage more integrated, system-type measurement? - How do we maximize the constellation and varying time coverage we have? - Who benefits from an institutionalized observing suite? Balancing global with local - Is there value in aggregating large volumes of questionable quality data? - Can we quantify relative change (amplitude and frequency) using non-traditional information from personal devices or off-the-shelf sensors? - How is this balanced against high accuracy information held to global standard? Exceeding original intentions - How is “fundamental” observing re-purposed? - Where is the line between research and management when it comes to observing? - Should areas where user needs are defined receive top priority?