Open Standards Training in the U.S.

Story from Quinn Shurtliff, Wastren Advantage, Inc.

This past July 2016, a two-day Open Standards workshop was delivered as part of the North American Congress for Conservation Biology in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Arlyne Johnson (Foundations of Success), Jim Goetz (Cornell University), and Quinn Shurtliff (Wastren Advantage, Inc.) facilitated the workshop for 18 participants representing a wide range of organizations, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Conservation Society, International Crane Foundation, International Union for Conservation of Nature, San Diego Zoo, The Nature Conservancy, and several universities.

Besides providing core OS training, the workshop emphasized the value of using the OS framework to improve communication. We intend to practice what we preach by contacting participants every few months over the next two years to gather feedback on how participants’ practices have been affected by knowledge gained at the workshop.  So far, participants have reported high levels of satisfaction with the workshop.

 

Three break-out groups in action. Arlyne Johnson (standing in back of room), Quinn Shurtliff (standing in front), and Jim Goetz (taking the picture) led these groups.

Three break-out groups in action. Arlyne Johnson (standing in back of room), Quinn Shurtliff (standing in front), and Jim Goetz (taking the picture) led these groups.