Historically most observing activities in the Arctic have been financed and conducted by a national government agency working alone, and by one or small number of scientists working also alone. The implementation of the International Polar Year encouraged a more international approach and many scientists responded by creating informal associations or networks to undertake scientific work that couldn’t be accomplished individually.

Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) is a form of ‘broker’ that can draw connections between needs of research, interests in certain research, and those conducting the research. Approved by the Arctic Council and formed in June 2009, the new SAON Steering Group consists of representatives from each of the eight Arctic Council member states, the six Permanent Participants of Arctic Council, the Working Groups of Arctic Council, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Recently, on May 25 and 26, the SAON Steering Group met to develop a work plan and to set priorities for its activities between now and April 2011, when the Arctic Council Ministers meet in Greenland. The SAON Steering Group has met several times by teleconference and initiated work on several priority activities including: existing observing networks and data access and sharing, community-based monitoring and science-based monitoring, and funding mechanisms.

A subgroup of SAON members, supported by the Arctic Council working group on Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), are compiling a list of organizations, programs, and networks implementing or making use of traditional and local knowledge.

After four years of consultations, the SAON SG will recommend that it will be disbanded in April 2011; it will further recommend that Arctic Council member states agree on an operational structure with signed agreements by all member countries.