opinion
grams bode well for continued progress in objectives with the Support Program. What can you do? Given the challenges, a logical question is, "What can you do?" First, your continued input and suggestions are important. Over 220 community members help us on various advisory committees. This support is vital to our decision-making in how we manage community programs. Beyond this there are some specific steps I hope you will take. We need you to indicate to the leaders of your organizations the value of these programs so that they in turn will see our programs as a clear priority for your institution and hence help guide the advocacy agenda of your institution in dealing with the Executive and Legislative Branches of the Federal government. Tell NSF leadership, the Director, Geosciences Directorate and Ocean Science Division, that these programs are vital to
advancing your science. Help us get the word out about the value of the science you do via our education and communications activities. Let us know where and when we can help you in this regard publicizing upcoming papers in Nature and Science, for example, with news releases and other media contacts. Most importantly, do not underestimate the importance of your voices in affecting what happens here in DC. Please speak with your elected representatives about the value of your science to the country and how the community programs we manage are vital to continued progress in understanding Earth and its oceans. I would be disingenuous not to admit that we are amidst very challenging times. We can look forward to new infrastructure to support the research of the next two decades. In getting there, we face some serious problems. Our promise is as it always has been, providing the community with creative and effective leadership to support your hopes and dreams for research.
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Marine Technology Reporter 25
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