Regional Collaboration in NOAA presentation to the Sea Grant Regional Research Information Planning Workshop

1. Regional Collaboration in NOAApresentation to the Sea Grant Regional Research & Information Planning Workshop Laura Furgione Assistant Administrator Program Planning & Integration May 20, 2009

2. Motivation for a Regional Approach External trends and stakeholder demands called for a regional approach US Commission on Ocean Policy/Pew Oceans Commission National Integrated Drought Information System State-lead Policy/Management Initiatives Other regional networks being used Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Associations Cooperative Institutes Regional Integrated Sciences & Assessments programExternal trends and stakeholder demands called for a regional approach US Commission on Ocean Policy/Pew Oceans Commission National Integrated Drought Information System State-lead Policy/Management Initiatives Other regional networks being used Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Associations Cooperative Institutes Regional Integrated Sciences & Assessments program

3. Evolution of NOAA’s Regional Focus 2002: The NOAA Administrator established five Regional Coordination pilot programs to improve coordination across Line Offices for a more visible and valued NOAA 2006: NOAA Executive Council assessed pilot programs and provided guidance to establish Regional Collaboration to improve coordination across NOAA’s organizational structure support integrated, regionally-tailored implementation of NOAA-wide programmatic priorities facilitate “One NOAA” outreach and creating partnerships2002: The NOAA Administrator established five Regional Coordination pilot programs to improve coordination across Line Offices for a more visible and valued NOAA 2006: NOAA Executive Council assessed pilot programs and provided guidance to establish Regional Collaboration to improve coordination across NOAA’s organizational structure support integrated, regionally-tailored implementation of NOAA-wide programmatic priorities facilitate “One NOAA” outreach and creating partnerships

4. Regional Collaboration: Goals

5. NOAA’s Regional Framework Regional Collaboration Teams are inter-Line Office collaborative groups that promote internal NOAA communication on regional issues; facilitate interactions between NOAA and regional stakeholders and are responsible for knowing the stakeholder needs in their regions; and identify, promote, and facilitate execution year coordination.Regional Collaboration Teams are inter-Line Office collaborative groups that promote internal NOAA communication on regional issues; facilitate interactions between NOAA and regional stakeholders and are responsible for knowing the stakeholder needs in their regions; and identify, promote, and facilitate execution year coordination.

6. Components of the Regional Collaboration Network

7. Regional Team Leads & Coordinators for 2009 Regional Team Leads (RTL) are selected by the EOG to serve as senior integrators of NOAA activities in the regionsRegional Team Leads (RTL) are selected by the EOG to serve as senior integrators of NOAA activities in the regions

8. Engagement: Sea Grant Interaction by Region

9. Engagement: National Coordination August 2008 - NOAA Executive Panel (NEP) called for the creation of the ECE and tasked it to develop an Engagement Strategy September 2008 - ECE formed including: Director of Communications, Director of Education, Chair of Regional Collaboration Executive Oversight Group, Chair of Extension and Training Services Committee The Executive Committee on Engagement (ECE) will: - Provide guidance, input, review and approval of NOAA’s engagement activities to ensure appropriate integration - Provide advice and respond to national issues/topics raised by NOAA leadership to promote an integrated approach - Serve as a mechanism for coordination of engagement activities and information exchange from the grass roots level to NOAA leadership - Ensure the development and incorporation of assessment and evaluation policies within NOAA engagement activities and programs ECE members are responsible for ensuring that ECE decisions are communicated to, and supported by, their respective networks August 2008 - NOAA Executive Panel (NEP) called for the creation of the ECE and tasked it to develop an Engagement Strategy September 2008 - ECE formed including: Director of Communications, Director of Education, Chair of Regional Collaboration Executive Oversight Group, Chair of Extension and Training Services Committee The Executive Committee on Engagement (ECE) will: - Provide guidance, input, review and approval of NOAA’s engagement activities to ensure appropriate integration - Provide advice and respond to national issues/topics raised by NOAA leadership to promote an integrated approach - Serve as a mechanism for coordination of engagement activities and information exchange from the grass roots level to NOAA leadership - Ensure the development and incorporation of assessment and evaluation policies within NOAA engagement activities and programs ECE members are responsible for ensuring that ECE decisions are communicated to, and supported by, their respective networks

10. Evidence of stronger relationships and increased collaboration Accomplishments since last year: Evidence of stronger relationships with stakeholders Alaska Regional Team invited to be on Alaska Governor’s Advisory and Technical Working groups on climate West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health: Integrated Ecosystem Assessment pilot project for the California Current Gulf of Mexico Team integral part of NOAA’s participation in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance efforts Central Team co-sponsored “Climate & Corn” workshop at the annual Biobased Industry Outlook Conference “Growing the Bioeconomy” for stakeholders highly interested in NOAA's role in a National Climate Service Evidence of increased cross-LO collaboration Cost savings over $200K by coordinating among the LOs to bring relevant training to the Pacific Islands The Center of Excellence brings together the assets that NOAA has for restoration and research, and provides a cohesive center for constituents to look to for restoration products and services going on in NOAA in the Great Lakes. Conducted inventory of internal NOAA capability and application of models and data for the Penobscot River watershed and the Gulf of Maine. Supported DUS budget roll out around the countryAccomplishments since last year: Evidence of stronger relationships with stakeholders Alaska Regional Team invited to be on Alaska Governor’s Advisory and Technical Working groups on climate West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health: Integrated Ecosystem Assessment pilot project for the California Current Gulf of Mexico Team integral part of NOAA’s participation in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance efforts Central Team co-sponsored “Climate & Corn” workshop at the annual Biobased Industry Outlook Conference “Growing the Bioeconomy” for stakeholders highly interested in NOAA's role in a National Climate Service Evidence of increased cross-LO collaboration Cost savings over $200K by coordinating among the LOs to bring relevant training to the Pacific Islands The Center of Excellence brings together the assets that NOAA has for restoration and research, and provides a cohesive center for constituents to look to for restoration products and services going on in NOAA in the Great Lakes. Conducted inventory of internal NOAA capability and application of models and data for the Penobscot River watershed and the Gulf of Maine. Supported DUS budget roll out around the country

11. 2nd Annual Regional Collaboration Workshop 73 participants There was representation from all six Line Offices including the Assistant Administrator of Program Planning and Integration, the Deputy Assistant Administrators from the National Ocean Service and the Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research, along with participants from the Office of Communication and Office of Education. The high level of support for Regional Collaboration was also reflected in the speakers and panelists, which included the Deputy Under-Secretary of NOAA, the Director of Programming Analysis and Evaluation (PA&E), and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).73 participants There was representation from all six Line Offices including the Assistant Administrator of Program Planning and Integration, the Deputy Assistant Administrators from the National Ocean Service and the Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research, along with participants from the Office of Communication and Office of Education. The high level of support for Regional Collaboration was also reflected in the speakers and panelists, which included the Deputy Under-Secretary of NOAA, the Director of Programming Analysis and Evaluation (PA&E), and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

12. 2nd Annual Workshop:Results The workshop balanced listening with sharing and discussion with activities, which ultimately created a sense of ownership and community among the participants. They showed extraordinary energy and enthusiasm throughout the workshop, which was evidenced by the high attendance and participation even late into the third and last day. The workshop was very successful in bringing people from all levels of NOAA together, encouraging discussion, and energizing the Regional Collaboration effort to progress towards the goal of creating a more valued NOAA for our nation. The workshop balanced listening with sharing and discussion with activities, which ultimately created a sense of ownership and community among the participants. They showed extraordinary energy and enthusiasm throughout the workshop, which was evidenced by the high attendance and participation even late into the third and last day. The workshop was very successful in bringing people from all levels of NOAA together, encouraging discussion, and energizing the Regional Collaboration effort to progress towards the goal of creating a more valued NOAA for our nation.

13. Focus on Climate Evolving from four original Priority Area Task Teams toward an overarching focus on climate issues Evolving from four original Priority Area Task Teams toward an overarching focus on climate issues

14. 2nd Annual Workshop:Results

15. NGSP Stakeholder Input

16. Next Generation Strategic Plan Regional Forum Dates

17. Next Generation Strategic Plan Regional Forum Dates

18. Questions?

19. 2008 Regional Priority Areas Priority Area Task Teams (PATTs) work with the Regional Teams, the Goal Teams, and other partners, as appropriate, to develop a NOAA-wide strategy for addressing specific programmatic priorities. PATTs are mechanisms for accomplishing agency-wide priorities that: 1) have strong stakeholder demand at the regional level; 2) are inherently regional in terms of execution requirements; and 3) require capabilities from multiple NOAA offices or partners. The PATT approach includes interactions that foster support for executing these priority areas at the regional level to meet expressed stakeholder needs. Priority Area Task Teams (PATTs) work with the Regional Teams, the Goal Teams, and other partners, as appropriate, to develop a NOAA-wide strategy for addressing specific programmatic priorities. PATTs are mechanisms for accomplishing agency-wide priorities that: 1) have strong stakeholder demand at the regional level; 2) are inherently regional in terms of execution requirements; and 3) require capabilities from multiple NOAA offices or partners. The PATT approach includes interactions that foster support for executing these priority areas at the regional level to meet expressed stakeholder needs.

20. Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Team

21. Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team The Gulf of Mexico Regional Team is a catalyst to coordinate NOAA’s efforts for the Alliance and to leverage the many state and federal (non-NOAA) resources to assist NOAA achieve its mission in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Alliance plan focuses on six priority areas which crosswalk with NOAA’s four Priority Area Tasks under the regional collaboration structure: Environmental Education, Coastal Community Resilience, Ecosystem Integration and Assessment, Wetland and Coastal Conservation and Restoration, Water Quality for Healthy Beaches and Shellfish Beds, Reducing Nutrient Inputs to Coastal Ecosystems NOAA provided approx $5M in grant money to the states to carry out Alliance priorities in 2008 and expects to do so again in 2009, contingent on the final budget. IEAs: NMFS: Fisheries, sea turtles, whales, EFH, coral reefs, wetlands NOS: IOOS, Hypoxia, HABs, nutrients, ecosystem research OAR: Climate, Oceanography, Sea Grant NESDIS: Data discovery, access, integration, and archiving NWS: Modeling, meteorology, hydrologyThe Gulf of Mexico Regional Team is a catalyst to coordinate NOAA’s efforts for the Alliance and to leverage the many state and federal (non-NOAA) resources to assist NOAA achieve its mission in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Alliance plan focuses on six priority areas which crosswalk with NOAA’s four Priority Area Tasks under the regional collaboration structure: Environmental Education, Coastal Community Resilience, Ecosystem Integration and Assessment, Wetland and Coastal Conservation and Restoration, Water Quality for Healthy Beaches and Shellfish Beds, Reducing Nutrient Inputs to Coastal Ecosystems NOAA provided approx $5M in grant money to the states to carry out Alliance priorities in 2008 and expects to do so again in 2009, contingent on the final budget. IEAs: NMFS: Fisheries, sea turtles, whales, EFH, coral reefs, wetlands NOS: IOOS, Hypoxia, HABs, nutrients, ecosystem research OAR: Climate, Oceanography, Sea Grant NESDIS: Data discovery, access, integration, and archiving NWS: Modeling, meteorology, hydrology

22. Western Regional Team/West Coast Governors’ Agreement • 3 West Coast Governors signed an agreement on ocean health in Sept 2006, to advance regional ocean governance efforts as called for in the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission. • The Agreement identified 7 priority areas for the states to work together and the need for fed help, which resulted in the appointment of 3 fed leads from EPA and Depts of DOI and DOC (NOAA) to assist the states in developing a plan to address those priorities. • As one of the 3-fed co-leads, the NOAA West co-chair (Usha) provided assistance and guidance for development of coast-wide priorities for the Action Plan. The WCGA Action Plan was released in July, 2008.  • Many of the actions align with NOAA priorities, such as effects of climate change on ecosystems and coastal communities, using integrated ecosystem assessments for ecosytem-based management approaches, habitat (seafloor) mapping of the California Current, harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, marine debris and invasive species, polluted runoff, ocean literacy and awareness.  • Action Coordination Teams were established to address priority objectives in the next 2 years. Many NOAA West Team members were appointed to serve on these action teams. An Action Coordination Team Workshop was held in October 2008 in Seattle, that included participation from Washington Sea Grant, whose Director is also a NOAA West member. • The states' representatives have commented several times that "this is one of the best" federal/state partnerships they have experienced and that they look forward in "continuing working together" as we address important regional ocean governance of the California Current. • 3 West Coast Governors signed an agreement on ocean health in Sept 2006, to advance regional ocean governance efforts as called for in the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission. • The Agreement identified 7 priority areas for the states to work together and the need for fed help, which resulted in the appointment of 3 fed leads from EPA and Depts of DOI and DOC (NOAA) to assist the states in developing a plan to address those priorities. • As one of the 3-fed co-leads, the NOAA West co-chair (Usha) provided assistance and guidance for development of coast-wide priorities for the Action Plan. The WCGA Action Plan was released in July, 2008.  • Many of the actions align with NOAA priorities, such as effects of climate change on ecosystems and coastal communities, using integrated ecosystem assessments for ecosytem-based management approaches, habitat (seafloor) mapping of the California Current, harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, marine debris and invasive species, polluted runoff, ocean literacy and awareness.  • Action Coordination Teams were established to address priority objectives in the next 2 years. Many NOAA West Team members were appointed to serve on these action teams. An Action Coordination Team Workshop was held in October 2008 in Seattle, that included participation from Washington Sea Grant, whose Director is also a NOAA West member. • The states' representatives have commented several times that "this is one of the best" federal/state partnerships they have experienced and that they look forward in "continuing working together" as we address important regional ocean governance of the California Current. 

23. Engagement at NOAA: Background March 2008 - Engaging NOAA’s Constituents: A report from the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Report calls for NOAA to “dramatically change its way of doing business if it expects to engage and serve its consumers and clients.”

24. Engagement at NOAA:Role of the ECE

25. Other Collaboration Opportunities SG invited RTLs to regional planning workshop last spring and discussed research needs as seen by the stakeholders in the region. 4 year implementation plan for each SG focus area (Ecosystem based management, Sustainable development, Safe seafood, Hazard resilience and coastal communities) is an area where NOAA and SG can work together. Harmonic surveys provided a baseline to gauge level of public awareness of NOAA External survey effort confirmed that the public is not fully aware of NOAA but once they are aware of the products and services we provide, NOAA is seen as a credible source of information Surveys were continued at the SES level (Jan 2009) Effort to provide an internal climate communications toolkit for employees to use when interacting with the public (Communications)SG invited RTLs to regional planning workshop last spring and discussed research needs as seen by the stakeholders in the region. 4 year implementation plan for each SG focus area (Ecosystem based management, Sustainable development, Safe seafood, Hazard resilience and coastal communities) is an area where NOAA and SG can work together. Harmonic surveys provided a baseline to gauge level of public awareness of NOAA External survey effort confirmed that the public is not fully aware of NOAA but once they are aware of the products and services we provide, NOAA is seen as a credible source of information Surveys were continued at the SES level (Jan 2009) Effort to provide an internal climate communications toolkit for employees to use when interacting with the public (Communications)