Data Management Goals

Science Applications Program

We envision a well-functioning data management, integration, and sharing process that integrates, at minimum, the products of SA-funded projects with those from regionally-funded projects, and that support the data lifecycle in a coordinated manner.       – Conservation Science Plan v.1

The original goal of Science Applications data management efforts were to create an integrated project and product database for the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs). After the conclusion of the LCCs, much of that workflow is applicable for general SA metadata management.

As SA has refocused on broader FWS priorities, the need for data management, integration, and sharing process remains essential to mission of FWS and SA. This guidance was developed by the SA Data Management Working Group (DMWG) with the leadership of the Architecture Subgroup (ASG).

Science Catalog Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Searchable Repository

Provide an easily searchable repository for SA-funded science projects and products through the SA Science Catalog.

Objectives

  1. Enable efficient and consistent searching and filtering across all SA projects and product.

  2. Ensure resource managers and partners can continue to find and use SA information and products for decision-making and conservation action on the landscape.

  3. Support users (e.g., resource managers, scientists, auditors, graduate students) in identifying remaining/future science needs and preventing future duplication of work by displaying who and what SA has funded.

  4. Ensure the SA Science Catalog instance will remain accessible through a portable design that can be hosted on fws.gov and elsewhere, if needed.

Goal 2: Increase Transparency

Increase transparency of SA project funding information.

Objectives

  1. Document how FWS and other sources of funding were used to fund science projects.

  2. Enable Science Applications and other key partners to show how FWS and other sources of funding were allocated to partners (e.g., states, tribes, federal agencies).

  3. Allow data managers to use the Science Catalog as an internal project tracking system.

Goal 3: Demonstrate Investment

Demonstrate the impact and value of the investment in landscape-scale conservation.

Objectives

  1. Enable Science Applications and other key partners to show how investments by FWS and other federal programs leveraged additional funding by partners.

  2. Demonstrate the depth and breadth of the projects and products produced by SA and the partners and collaborators involved.