Excerpts from an email from Graham Whitelaw of Queen's University:

The Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) is a partnership of over 600 organizations (international, national, provincial, territorial, other federal government departments, universities, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, aboriginal groups, community groups) and individuals who undertake ecological monitoring in Canada. Environment Canada coordinates this network at its Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network Coordinating Office (EMAN CO) and works collaboratively with the EMAN partners in improving the effectiveness of ecosystem monitoring to ensure informed decision-making and to create environmental awareness among Canadians.

You will have heard of the government's intention to cut the EMAN Coordinating Office budget by 80%. You also cannot help but be aware that, as loyal public servants, the EMAN Coordinating Office staff cannot comment or request your assistance. But as a member of the network, I certainly can...

It appears to me that Minister Baird may be unaware of the number, nature and breadth of mutually beneficial projects the EMAN Coordinating Office accomplishes in collaboration with other agencies, organizations and individuals across Canada as well as internationally. He needs to hear from the EMAN network that cutting monitoring capacity in Canada is not in the government's or public interest.

I am asking all of you who can do so to send a civil message as soon as you can to Minister Baird with your opinion on these cuts. If possible, outline what EMAN CO has accomplished with its small staff and declining budgets from your point of view, and what you perceive Environment Canada (EC) gains from your collaboration through the network e.g. "we obtain timely information on ecological changes in our watershed while contributing valid and comparable data to EC on Canadian ecosystems".

Messages from the broadest possible spectrum would be helpful. If possible, get your family, Scout Troop, class, boss, workplace, non-governmental organization etc. to send in something in addition to your own contribution. Send e-mail, send pictures, send letters and please copy your MP, Environment Canada ADM Cynthia Wright, the EMAN Coordinating Office and me. Contact information is below.

EMAN CO Collaborative Activities

• Development of, and training in, standardized ecosystem monitoring protocols
• Data base development and support
• Citizen–science protocols
• Collaborative assessments, papers, symposia and special issues of influential journals
• Excellent web pages winning awards and attracting large audiences
• The annual National Science Meeting, wonderful for its diversity, opportunities and knowledge sharing
• Investigations, pilots and models for increased effectiveness in delivering science to decision-makers at all scales.
• Tool development, testing of findings and influence through collaborations with National and major international networks (LTER,NEON, ILTER, etc)
• Providing EC with
• Access to timely extensive data at minimal expense
• Increased capacities
• An engaged and readily responsive network of partners
• Targeted contributions to EC programs in indicators, education & engagement, climate change,  water, wildlife, landscapes, biodiversity, etc
• Collaborations with international ecological monitoring networks and partners
• Opportunities to deliver on, and add value to, its objectives through partnerships