About

Chesapeake Bay Program Science Needs Database

The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) has developed a Strategic Science and Research Framework (SSRF) to consistently identify and assess both short- and long-term science needs of the partnership. These science needs are captured and tracked in a database, which is continually updated throughout the year. The database provides the most up-to-date list of science needs from across the partnership and additional information on each need such as detailed description, status, and engaged or potential resources identified to address the need. Science needs captured in this database are identified 1) by CBP Goal Implementation Teams (GITs) as necessary to make progress toward Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals and outcomes, 2) through the CBP’s adaptive management Strategy Review System (SRS), or 3) from CBP’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) workshop report recommendations.

CBP uses this database to engage stakeholders, identify opportunities to better align or evolve resources, update activities and workgroups to address needs, and inform STAC of research priorities. This database can also be used by science providers to identify projects or collaborations of interest on which to engage CBP. Science providers can represent a wide range of entities including, but not limited to, academic institutions, federal and state agencies, local entities, non-profit organizations, and citizen science programs.

The Strategic Science and Research Framework

The SSRF was developed by CBP to help focus existing science resources, leverage the research enterprise, and more effectively provide science to advance CBP’s efforts and decision-making. It arose from a need to more consistently track and assess the abundance and breadth of science needs across the partnership. The SSRF was developed in coordination between CBP’s Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting team (STAR), the GITs, and STAC. It was specifically designed to consider both short-term operational and long-term fundamental science needs, to integrate STAC recommendations, and to be repeatable and consistent by connecting to the CBP’s SRS process. Through the SSRF, the CBP can better look at science needs across the program, assess whether those needs are being met, and recommend approaches to address them.

The Chesapeake Bay Program

The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique, regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed since 1983. Chesapeake Bay Program partners include federal and state agencies, local governments, non-profit organizations and academic institutions.

Contact

If you have questions about the CBP Science Needs Database or the Strategic Science and Research Framework, or are interested in collaborating with CBP on its science needs, please contact Breck Sullivan at bsullivan@chesapeakebay.net.