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General Information

All Brown Bag Seminars (unless otherwise noted) are held from 12 noon - 1 p.m. in the NOAA Central Library, 2nd Floor, SSMC#3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring.

For remote access via webinar (unless specified otherwise below), please fill out the registration form a few minutes before the meeting is scheduled to begin. The Meeting Number is 742656968; the Passcode is brownbag. For audio in the US and Canada, dial 866-833-7307. The participant passcode is 8986360.

Contact Albert (Skip) Theberge (301-713-2600 ext. 115) or Chris Belter (301-713-2600 ext. 155) for further information or to set up a Brown Bag.

Archived Seminars

A list of previous Brown Bag Seminars and their accompanying Powerpoint presentations, when available, can be found on the Archive Brown Bags page.

Upcoming Seminars

How to Give a Truly Terrible Talk, Briefing, or Workshop: An Homage and Update

Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12 noon EST

Speaker: Dwayne Meadows, Species of Concern National Program Coordinator, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS

Presentation Slides (pdf format)

Abstract: Do you want to learn how to give better talks and presentations? Impress leadership with your thoughts and ideas? But you find yourself bored by typical self-help manuals and presentations by droll experts? Do you forget all that sage advice when crunch time on your next presentation arrives? Then come hear Dwayne Meadows update of a classic tongue-in-cheek guide for giving better presentations and learn from the (mostly real) mistakes of others.

Remote access via webinar will be available. See the General Information section above for details.

International Programs and Legal Authorities of the Department of the Interior

Date: Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12 noon EST

Speakers: David Downes, Assistant Director for Policy in DOI's Office of International Affairs; and a panel from DOI's Office of the Solicitor

Presentation Slides (pdf format)

Presentation Slides (pdf format)

Presentation Slides (pdf format)

Abstract: We will begin with an brief overview of DOI international programs ranging from migratory bird conservation to Earth observation, presented by David Downes, Assistant Director for Policy in DOI's Office of International Affairs. A panel from DOI's Office of the Solicitor will discuss legal issues relating to DOI international programs, with particular reference to marine issues and law of the sea. Speakers will include Michael Young, Assistant Solicitor for Fish and Wildlife; Maria Lurie from the Parks Branch; and Milo Mason from the Division of Mineral Resources.

Note: This seminar is sponsored by the International Section of the NOAA General Counsel Office.

Remote access via webinar will be available. See the General Information section above for details.

State Agency Engagement with Habitat Conservation

Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 12 noon EST

Speaker: Ron Regan, Executive Director, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Abstract: This seminar will focus on the work of state fish and wildlife agencies in habitat conservation through the lenses of the North American Model of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, the National Fish Habitat Partnership, and the work of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Policy and state-federal partnership opportunities will be explored.

Remote access via webinar will be available. See the General Information section above for details.

Brown Bag Seminar

Date: Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 12 noon EST

Speaker: Mark Spalding, President, Ocean Foundation

Abstract: TBD

Note: This seminar is sponsored by the International Section of the NOAA General Counsel Office.

Remote access via webinar will be available. See the General Information section above for details.

Little Fish, Big Impact: Managing a Crucial Link in Ocean Ecosystems

Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 12 noon EST

Speaker: Ellen Pikitch, Executive Director of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science and Professor at the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

Abstract: Forage fish, or small schooling fish such as anchovies and sardines, play a critical role in the marine food web as prey for larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. Markets for fish meal and fish oil to support the growing aquaculture and farm animal industries have placed these species under increasing commercial pressure. The Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force was established to develop and recommend ecosystem-based standards for the sustainable management of forage fisheries.

Thirteen preeminent scientists with expertise in a wide range of disciplines conducted a comprehensive examination of the science and management of forage fish populations. Their research explored whether conventional management of these species poses substantial risks of population crashes and contributes to declines of their predators. Ellen Pikitch, the Task Force Chairperson, will share key results from the report, which include specific management recommendations for forage fish species.

Remote access via webinar will be available. See the General Information section above for details.

Brown Bag Seminar

Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 12 noon EST

Speaker: Evan Bloom, US Department of State

Abstract: TBD

Note: This seminar is sponsored by the International Section of the NOAA General Counsel Office.

Remote access via webinar will be available. See the General Information section above for details.

Additional seminars are scheduled through the OneNOAA Science Discussion Seminar Series