Climate Science Day on Capitol Hill 2013

Outline. Following on from the resounding success of Climate Science Day on Capitol Hill 2011 and 2012, NEON, Inc. would like to announce an opportunity for our member institutions and our Federal partners to engage in a training session on communicating with Congress. There is capacity for up to eight individuals (four individuals from member institutions in good standing, and another four individuals from our Federal partners). The event starts with a training session (Tuesday 2013-02-26), followed by a visit to Capitol Hill (Wednesday 2013-02-27) to meet with your legislators and other Members of Congress in multi-disciplinary teams led by representatives from organizing institutions (see "Who" below). NEON, Inc. is looking for individuals to effectively communicate the impacts of large-scale environmental changes on natural resources and the complex interactions between climate and ecosystems. Limited travel assistance for individuals from member institutions in good standing is available. Early career scientists are encouraged to apply.

After Action Report. To get an idea of the experience as related by past participants, read accounts of their training from CSD 2012 (from the perspectives of the University of Michigan, the Herald Journal, AAAS, NEON, Inc.), and CSD 2011 (from the perspectives of AAAS, American Geophysical Union, American Statistical Association, and NEON, Inc).

What. The purpose of the visits is to provide Members of Congress the best possible access to scientific information on climate science when making policy decisions. This event DOES NOT subscribe to any particular policy course or action. As such, Federal employees may participate in this event (NASA, NOAA, and USGS employees have participated in the past).

When. Participants should plan to fly in on the morning on Tuesday 2013-02-26 where possible. The training session will be conducted on the afternoon of the same day. The visits to Capitol Hill will be held on 2013-02-27 and are expected the last the entire day with visits to multiple offices.

How. Participating organizations will work jointly to assemble multi-disciplinary teams based on geography to for the day of Hill visits. The participating organizations will also work together to prepare the teams for their visits and to provide the materials for the meetings.

Who. Participating organizations include American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society, American Geophysical Union, American Meteorological Society, American Society of Agronomy, American Statistical Association, Crop Science Society of America, Geological Society of America, NEON, Inc., Soil Science Society of America, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, and others.

How to apply.

For Federal partners: Please complete this expression of interest (MS Word document). We are unfortunately unable to extend an offer of travel assistance.
For individuals associated with NEON, Inc. member institutions in good standing: Regardless of whether you choose to request travel assistance, please complete this application (MS Word document).

Applications are due 2013-01-07 (Monday). Shortlisted applicants will be contacted in mid January 2013.