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Interested in volunteering? Learn more about our Citizen Science Phenology Monitoring Program here.

Learn more about the natural resource science taking place at Cape Cod National Seashore with our selection of multimedia:

• podcasts!
• posters!

The Atlantic Research Center (ARC), located at the Cape Cod National Seashore (CACO), is one of a nationwide network of Research Learning Centers maintained and operated by the National Park Service. The ARC was created by charter in 1999 as a component of the National Park Service's Natural Resource Challenge. This initiative was part of a broad effort by the National Park Service to expand upon the role of science inside parks in the 21st century. The fundamental aims of the Research Learning Centers are to increase and expand upon scientific research taking place within national parks; to foster research which will contribute to management decisions; and to provide educational opportunities for students, universities, educators, and the public.

Located in historic North Truro, Massachusetts the ARC is located on the grounds of the Highlands Center at Cape Cod National Seashore, which is administered by the NPS in partnership with the private, non-profit Highlands Center Inc. The ARC boasts a variety of services and support to facilitate research including:

The mission of the ARC is to promote research and information exchange on the physical and biological systems within or affecting Cape Cod National Seashore. As part of the National Park Service's effort to "improve park management through greater reliance on scientific knowledge," research is closely coordinated between the ARC and the Cape Cod Ecosystem Monitoring (CCEM) program. Also a product of the Natural Resource Challenge, the CCEM program maintains as its primary goal to develop and implement robust monitoring methods and collect and analyze long-term data that will help park managers make sound stewardship decisions. Ecosystem-based, issue-oriented monitoring programs have been instituted to establish a baseline for long-term ecological monitoring. Together the ARC and the CCEM program compose a strong network of research facilitation and information exchange that integrates natural resource data into management planning and decision making.  

For questions or additional information pertaining to the Atlantic Research Center please contact:

Megan Tyrrell, Ph.D.
CACO Research & Monitoring Coordinator
508-487-3262 x 0510
508-487-7153 fax

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