Georgia (marine laboratories) on my Mind!

A classic Savannah downtown scene - there are 24 'squares' like this in the downtown historic area filled with beautiful gardens.

An edgy poster supporting recycling efforts in the Savannah area!














This week I had the pleasure of attending my first meeting of the National Marine laboratories Association (NAML - http://www.naml.org/) . NAML is the primary professional association for marine laboratories in the United States – the SeaLife center is a long standing member. The other active Alaska member is the Kasitsna bay lab run by NOAA and UAF (http://www.westnurc.uaf.edu/kbay.html).

Skidaways new LEED Gold Laboratories

This meeting was hosted by the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography which is part of the 36 member University of Georgia system and located just outside Savannah Georgia. Interestingly the Institute has a similar funding profile to the ASLC and raises $3 for every $1 of State government support! Skidaway is co-located with numerous marine partners, including the SE COSEE. Established back in the1960s, the Institute also operates the 92 foot research vessel Savannah, part of the UNOLS fleet.

The meeting was an excellent chance to meet with some 40 marine institute directors from across the USA and Europe – there are some exciting proposals to expand global marine collaboration emanating from Europe. Mike Thorndyke from Sweden walked us through an ambitious initiative known as the World Association of Marine Stations (WAMS) which is a process of the European Marine Institutes and Sciences (MARS) Network – see http://www.marsnetwork.org/.

We received a number of useful presentations from each regional chapter of NAML (we are part of the Western Association of Marine labs) as well as updates from partners such as the organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS – http://www.obfs.org/). We agreed to renew a focus on improving government relations efforts at the federal level in the year ahead. I also made some very helpful personal contacts with our peers that may lead to closer collaboration with some institutions. In classic fashion, I also had the chance to spend time with new UAF Seagrant Director, Dave Christie (pictured shucking oysters – we are working on a plan to bring the 2010 WAML meeting to Alaska!

Enjoying some roasted oysters on the riverbank!

Shucking oysters - a great way to encourage conversation between strangers!

Mossy trees - one of Savannah's enduring images

OK - just one more image of the trees up close!