[Coral-List] NOAA LAUNCHES NEW CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM WEB SITE

Roger B Griffis Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov
Thu Aug 5 16:17:01 EDT 2004


Announcement - for distribution
								
NOAA LAUNCHES NEW CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM WEB SITE

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the launch
of a new Web site featuring information and products regarding the
nation's coral reefs.  Created by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation
Program, the Web site supports the program's mission to provide
effective management and sound science to preserve, sustain and restore
valuable coral reef ecosystems.  NOAA is an agency of the U.S.
Department of Commerce.  

"We have seen increasing demand for information about coral reef
ecosystems from managers, scientists, teachers and the public including
scuba divers, boaters and fishermen.  This Web site provides a new way
to access a wide variety of useful information on coral reefs including
grants, products and services from NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation
Program," said David Kennedy, program manager.

The Web site, available at http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov, provides links
to:

* Search for NOAA Coral Reef Data, Information and Products:  This page
directs users to NOAA's Coral Reef Information System, launched in 2002,
to consolidate access to NOAA's coral reef information and data
products.

* Funding Opportunities: This page provides links to several grant
programs supported by NOAA that fund coral reef conservation
activities.  Detailed information on the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation
Grant Program is provided as well.  In 2004 this grant program expects
to award over $5.5 million for activities supporting coral reef science
and management. 

* News and Highlights:  This section includes highlights from NOAA Coral
Reef News, the Coral Reef Conservation Program's monthly electronic
newsletter.  An archive of past news items is also available.

* Outreach and Education:  This new section includes resources for
students interested in learning more about reefs, as well as lesson
plans and other useful information for educators.

* About the Program: This page provides background information on the
Coral Reef Conservation Program, as well as contact information for
media inquiries.

Among the new resources available on the site are fact sheets that
accompanied a recent billboard and poster campaign designed to increase
awareness of the importance of healthy coral reef ecosystems.  These
fact sheets provide information on how healthy coral reefs provide
valuable services such as income, coastal protection and habitat,
medicines and recreation.

The Coral Reef Conservation Program Web site serves as a companion site
to NOAA's Coral Reef Information System, which contains more than 500
records directing users to over 9,500 coral reef products.  CoRIS
provides searchable access to data and information derived from NOAA's
coral reef activities, as well as extensive background information and
essays on coral reefs.  The new Web site provides links to CoRIS and
complements these offerings by providing news and highlights of recent
NOAA coral reef activities.

The Coral Reef Conservation Program is a partnership between the NOAA
line offices working on coral reef issues including the National Ocean
Service; the National Marine Fisheries Service; the Office of Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research; and the National Environmental Satellite, Data
and Information Service.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety
through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related
events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal
and marine resources.

On the Web:
NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov/
Coral Reef Conservation Program: http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov
CoRIS:  http://www.coris.noaa.gov

NOAA04-074
Contact:	Glenda Powell				FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
		(301) 713-3066				Aug. 5, 2004


More information about the Coral-List mailing list