2007 Annual Report - Institute for Environmental Monitoring and ...

P a g e 1 6 I n s t i t u t e f o r E n v i r o n m e n t a l M o n i t o r i n g a n d R e s e a r c h 2 0 0 7 A n n u a l R e p o r tCommunicationsMaintaining a sound communication strategy is avital role of the Institute. Communicationactivities foster a level of trust amongst all groupsaffected by the military training program.Information on Institute projects, activities andresearch is freely available to the public through theweb site (www.iemr.org) and, on request, from theoffice.FIRST NATIONSCOMMUNICATION ANDSUPPORT STRATEGYIn 1998 the First Nations Communication and SupportStrategy was established to provide a communicationlink between the Aboriginal communities affectedby the low-level flying program, the Institute’sresearchers, members of the SRC and non-Aboriginalmembers of the Board of Directors. In each community,the Liaison Officer met with committees ofAboriginal Experts recognized for their knowledge ofthe territory and its wildlife. The primary goal of theprogram was to inform the Expert Committees of theInstitute’s work and to communicate an understandingof their concerns to the SRC and the Institute’sBoard of Directors. In 2005, a final round of visitsunder this program was conducted to thank themembers of the Expert Committees for their valuablecooperation, to provide an update on Institutesponsoredresearch projects, to review the futurefor the Institute and to obtain comments from theAboriginal experts on how they felt about thecommunication program. A final report on thesevisits has been filed with the Institute.Morning ReflectionIn 2007 the Chair met with the representatives of theAboriginal communities to assess the options whichcould be initiated by the Institute to support the FirstNations Communication and Support Strategy. Giventhat the military training options for Goose Bay arenot clearly defined, it was agreed that an interimprogram would focus on activities associated with theidentification of the important VECs and thepresentation of the EA for supersonic flight training.These community consultations were defined by theAboriginal Board members and funded by Institute.Status:• The Institute has developed with thecollaboration of the Aboriginal Board members aninterim communication and information strategyfor the coming year which will focus on the reviewof the EA associated with the proposed supersonictraining program.CONFERENCESSince 1997, the Institute has sponsored fourworkshops/conferences. Proceedings for thefollowing can be made available through the officeor at www.iemr.org in editions of Terra Borealis.• Traditional and Western ScientificEnvironmental Knowledge• Effects of Noise on Wildlife• Waterfowl• Exploring Future Training Options