The PRB serves as the U.S. National Committee to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). SCAR is a nongovernmental organization created in 1958 and charged to initiate, promote, and coordinate international scientific activity in the Antarctic with a view to framing a scientific program of circumpolar scope and significance; to review scientific matters pertaining to the integrity of the Antarctic environment, including the conservation of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems; and to provide scientific and technological advice to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and other organizations, both governmental and nongovernmental. The Antarctic Treaty governs science activities of member nations in Antarctica, including the United States. The role of SCAR, as codified in the Environmental Protocol of the Antarctic Treaty, is to provide consultation on matters ranging from the development of environmental monitoring guidelines to the review of areas proposed for special management. SCAR representatives attend and participate in the ATCM, held once a year. Although SCAR membership parallels that of the signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, SCAR's deliberations are informal and its recommendations are advisory. SCAR usually addresses issues before they are considered at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and thus it serves as a valuable way to help U.S. government representatives prepare for negotiations at Treaty Meetings.
The PRB is responsible for communication of SCAR activities in the United States, including distribution of SCAR reports, publications, and announcements; meeting preparation; and facilitating contacts between U.S. scientists, national representatives, and SCAR programs. The PRB is responsible for nomination and selection of delegates, alternate delegates, and scientific committee representatives, and for ensuring that these U.S. participants represent national interests and convey information and decisions from SCAR activities to the U.S. polar community and federal agencies. As the U.S. National Committee, the PRB distributes draft documents for U.S. review, such as draft management plans for Specially Protected Areas, as well as reports from SCAR's various standing scientific committees.
The PRB, working with the National Science Foundation, is responsible for preparation of the Annual Report to SCAR. Through the U.S. Delegate and Alternate Delegate, the PRB ensures active U.S. representation in meetings, in the development of reports, and in any recommendations and resolutions conveyed to the ATCM. At present, Dr. Mahlon C. Kennicutt from Texas A&M University is the US delegate to SCAR. The alternate US delegate is Dr. Terry Wilson of Ohio State University. The SCAR Secretariat is located in Cambridge, England, at the Scott Polar Research Institute.
SCAR functions via an executive committee that meets each year, a meeting of delegates held biennially, and periodic meetings of standing and special committees. For information about these meetings, see the SCAR Events Page.
For more information, visit the SCAR website, or contact the SCAR Secretariat at execsec@scar.demon.co.uk.
For information on US SCAR activities, see the US SCAR Website.
SCAR Strategic Plan 2011-2016 (pdf)
Recently Updated SCAR Codes of Conduct (these documents may also be found on the page of the SCAR Standing Scientific Group on Life Sciences):
- Code of Conduct for the use of Animals for Scientific Purposes in Antarctica (pdf)
- Code of Conduct for the Exploration and Research of Subglacial Aquatic Environments (pdf)
U.S. REPRESENTATION TO SCAR:
U.S. Delegates:
Dr. Mahlon C. Kennicutt II, Texas A&M University
Dr. Terry Wilson, Ohio State University
Standing Scientific Groups:
Life Sciences
Dr. Alison Murray, Desert Research Institute
Dr. Deneb Karentz, University of San Francisco
Dr. Marc Shepanek, NASA
Dr. Diana Wall, Colorado State University
GeoSciences
Dr. W. Berry Lyons, Ohio State University
Dr. Philip J. Bart, Louisiana State University
Dr. Brenda Hall, University of Maine
Dr. Douglas A. Wiens, Washington University
Physical Sciences
Dr. Allan T. Weatherwax, Siena College
Dr. Terry Deshler, University of Wyoming
Dr. Christina L. Hulbe, Portland State University
Dr. Joseph McConnell, Desert Research Institute
Staff:
Laurie Geller, National Academy of Sciences