Stafford, S. G.; Brunt, J. W.; Benson, B. J. 1996. Training environmental information managers of the future. In: Global networks for environmental information: Proceedings of Eco-Informa '96; Lake Buena Vista, FL. Ann Arbor, MI: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM): 10: 111-116.
Complex issues confronting scientists and policymakers requireinterdisciplinary collaboration and synthesis at much larger spatialand temporal scales than are typical in traditional ecological studies.In this complex research environment, all scientists need somebackground in bio-informatics and computational ecology Here, wefocus on the more intensive training needed for environmentalinformation managers. "Scientific information management" isemerging as a discipline that emphasizes the effective transformationof data into information that is used to address these complex issues.Synthetic, data-intensive projects will be even more common in thefuture and will require trained information managers who have skillsbeyond the custodial and archival functions that data managers havehad in the past. We outline an environmental information management
training programt that will focus on the link between science andtechnology. Students will complete core curriculum modules offeredat the University of New Mexico and Oregon State University and willthen do internships at participating Long-Term Ecological Researchsites.