Training Registration Page – FY26Q4 Cobscook Institute, ME

There is a cap of 25 people for this training; a waitlist will be created once all seats are filled. There will be additional training sessions in the future.

Travel Information: 
For attendees that need to travel by plane, Bangor International Airport (BGR) is the closest international airport. The classroom will be at the Cobscook Institute in Northeast Maine located approximately 1.5 hours from the Bangor International Airport.

For those of you traveling from out of the area, our local host provided the following information about lodging:

Cobscook Institute does offer limited lodging https://cobscookinstitute.org/lodging . It is more like bunk house lodging.  They do have a cabin rental on property as well.

Machias, Maine Lodging Options:

• https://www.machiasriverinn.com/
• https://www.margarettainn.com/
• https://www.bluebirdmotelmaine.com/

Lubec, Maine Lodging Options:

• https://www.eastlandmotel.com/
• https://www.theinnonthewharf.com/

August is blueberry harvest time and lodging fills up quick.  When PIF came in 2024 several folks went in on Air BnB rentals.  Recommend making lodging arrangements ASAP.

Once your registration is confirmed by our team, we will communicate week-of logistics and other pertinent course information via your provided email(s) below.

Course Description:

On 24 Jun 2022, the Office of the Secretary of Defense issued a memo that endorses and requires the use of the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN) by each DoW Component. The power of the AKN and its tools are dependent on getting data uploaded and users trained on the system. In support of DoW’s use of the AKN, the DoW Legacy Program is funding regional, in-person, DoW AKN training sessions. Sessions will equip users with the knowledge and skills to utilize the data management system and decision-support tools within the system in support of DoW’s participation in the AKN.

Attendees will learn how the AKN system is organized, how to create project metadata and input data, how data sharing levels work, and how to visualize, analyze, and aggregate data for conservation purposes. Participants will leave with the capability to upload, archive, access, and use extensive avian data tools to assist in NEPA analysis and assessing impacts of readiness and non-readiness activities directly supporting the military mission.

This training session will take place over three days. Two days will be classroom instruction on the AKN system and focus on DoW’s coordinated and comprehensive approach. The third day will include a field component where attendees will complete a field survey with standardized sampling methods and return to the classroom to directly input data into a DoW “Project” within the AKN.

Instructors include engineers and biologists from Point Blue Conservation Science, Klamath Bird Observatory, and U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center – Environmental Laboratory.

There is no cost for this training except for participant travel expenses.

For any questions, please email the DoW AKN Team at DoDAKN@erdc.dren.mil.