NOAA 101

Sarah SchoedingerNOAA, Office of EducationNovember 2, 2006

An overview of the agency for the NOAA/NSTA Symposium on the Ocean’s Role in Weather and Climate

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NOAA VisionNOAA Vision

An informed society that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions.

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NOAA MissionNOAA MissionTo understand and predict changes in Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet the Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs.

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NOAA’s GoalsEcosystems Protect, Restore, and Manage the Use of Coastal & Ocean Resources Through anEcosystem Approach to Management.

Climate Understand Climate Variability & Change to Enhance Society’s Ability to Plan &Respond.

Weather & Water Serve Society’s Needs for Weather & Water Information.

Commerce & Transportation Support the Nation’s Commerce with Information for Safe, Efficient, &Environmentally Sound Transportation.

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NOAANOAA

•National Environmental Satellite, Data & Information Service

•National Ocean Service

•National Marine Fisheries Service

•NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations

•National Weather Service

•Oceanic & Atmospheric Research

•Program Planning & Integration

•Headquarters

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NOAA Satellites & Information Service

NOAA Satellites & Information Service

Major Programs…• Geostationary Operational Environmental

Satellite (GOES)• Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental

Satellite (POES)• National Polar-orbiting Operational

Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS)• Environmental Satellite Observing Services• Environmental Data Management

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NOAA Oceans & CoastsNOAA Oceans & CoastsMajor Programs…

• Coastal Resource Management and Protected Areas

• Mapping, Charting, and Navigation• Coastal Ocean Science• Response and Restoration

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NOAA Marine & Aviation Operations

NOAA Marine & Aviation Operations

Major Programs• Operational Management of:

• 16 NOAA Ships• 13 NOAA Aircraft• NOAA Diving

• Program Support with 250 Commissioned Officers• NOAA’s primary source of expertise for ship and

aircraft charters, particularly the safety aspects

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National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service

Major Programs…• Climate Forecasting/Services• Ocean/Marine Forecasting/Services• Observations (Satellite, Ocean)• Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service• Air Quality Forecasting• Environmental Modeling• Science and Technology Infusion• Tropical Weather• Homeland Security

(All-Hazards Weather Radio, Dispersion Modeling)

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NOAA FisheriesNOAA Fisheries

Major Programs…Fisheries Management

• Magnuson-Stevens Act

Protected Resources• Endangered Species Act• Marine Mammal Protection Act

Habitat• Conservation• Protection• Restoration

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NOAA ResearchNOAA ResearchMajor Programs…

• Climate Products• Weather & Air Quality Products• Ocean, Coastal, Great Lakes Products

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NOAA’s Goals - Education Focus

Ecosystems A well informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and marine ecosystems.

Climate Climate-sensitive sectors and the climate-literate public effectively incorporating NOAA’s climate products into their plans and decisions.

Weather & Water Enhance environmental literacy and improve understanding, value, and use of weather and water information and services.

Commerce & Transportation Build public understanding of the science & technology involved and the role of the environment in commerce and transportation through outreach, education, and industry collaboration.