June 2007

Breaking News

Cheyenne Workshop to Focus on Fine-Tuning Tools

The NDMC and UNL’s Department of Computer Sciences & Engineering will present a day-long workshop June 21 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for ranchers, farmers and others, to gather input in developing new drought-monitoring and decision-making tools. Tools being discussed in Cheyenne will include VegDRI, VegOut, Greenleaf, the Drought Impact Reporter, the Drought Monitor, the Drought Atlas, and the Drought Decision Support System. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency is sponsoring development of the tools. (For more information about these products, please refer to Current Research below.) Participation is limited and mostly by invitation, but if you would like to attend or otherwise provide input and feedback on the products, please contact Meghan Sittler, NDMC Research & Outreach Specialist, msittler2@unl.edu, or 402-472-2712.

Knutson Participates in First Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

Dr. Cody Knutson will participate in the First Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, sponsored by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) in Geneva, Switzerland from June 5-7.

In particular, Dr. Knutson will present a global drought risk reduction policy framework, which has been collaboratively developed by the NDMC and the UN/ISDR. The document outlining the framework includes strategies implemented around the world for reducing drought risk, and recommendations for strengthening drought risk reduction and increasing networks among drought practitioners and organizations worldwide. This document will soon be available on the website of the UN/ISDR.

Knutson Reviews UN/FAO Drought Programs in the Near East
 
Dr. Cody Knutson will travel to Cairo, Egypt, June 18-July 3, 2007 to meet with representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Near East Region, which includes 32 countries in northern Africa and southwest Asia.

Dr. Knutson will prepare an assessment report of drought and drought-related activities by FAO and related stakeholders in the Near East Region, and prepare a practical guide or manual on drought management tailored to meet the needs of countries, researchers, and other stakeholders in the region.

Another follow-up trip to Cairo is scheduled in September or October of 2007 and the final report will be submitted soon after.

Still Time to Register On-Line for US Drought Monitor Conference, Portland, October 10-11, 2007

Authors and users of the U.S. Drought Monitor -- http://drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html -- will convene in Portland, Oregon, October 10-11, to discuss user needs and modifications to the tool. The U.S. Drought Monitor Forum is held every other year. This year’s DM Forum is being sponsored by the NDMC, but is being hosted by the USDA-NRCS Water and Climate Center. Although the scope of the tool is national, the venue will provide an opportunity to focus on the drought-monitoring needs of the West. Details on the draft agenda and format will be made available soon.

Registration is free, but rooms and meeting rooms are limited, so please sign up early to ensure that there will be room. Please use our on-line registration form to reserve your spot. Please register even if you are not staying at the conference hotel. As a backup, you may e-mail Ann Fiedler, afiedler2@unl.edu, with “US Drought Forum” in the subject line, expressing your intent to attend, and including your name and full contact information. Those without fully functioning web access may contact Ann by telephone, 402-472-6707.

The conference will be held at the Portland DoubleTree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center. A special conference and government rate of $98 per night plus applicable tax and fees is available for attendees making reservations by September 9. There are two ways to register:

• On-line at www.portlandlloydcenter.doubletree.com. Select dates under “check availability,” click “go,” and enter the group code, which is “NDM.”
• On the phone, by calling 1-800-966-0510, or 503-281-6111, and providing the NDM (Drought Monitor Forum) group code as you request the special rate.