&EPA
               United States
               Environmental Protection
               Agency
               EPA IMSD 90-01
               February 1990
Administration and Resources Management |PM 2 11 A)
INFOTERRA
Services
                  United Nations Environment Programme

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INFOTERRA at the UNITED STA
The United States is a founding member of the
INFO TERRA neMork and has remained one of
the most active partners over the past decade. It
is the number one provider of information and
the second largest user of INFO TERRA.
The INFO TERRA office is administered
by the Office of In formation Resources
Management and is housed at the
Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters Library.
Reference and Referral
--Utilize the EPA library and information services network.
--Search over 500 EPA and commercial databases.
--Refer clients to US experts.
--Provide EPA and other government agency reports.
--Distribute non-technical EPA publications
--Compile custom bibliographies.
International Directory of Sources
--6500 sources of expertise worldwide.
--Available in hardcopy, disk, or tape.
--Database searches and demonstrations.
--Registration and update US sources.
• international Visitors
--Support research activities.
--Conduct tours of information facilities.
--Arrange for appointments with EPA staff.

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TES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
• Network Activities
--Initiate proactive exchange programs of documents and
databases.
--Participate in international information conferences and
sponsor international participation in the US.
--Develop a pilot companion exchange program to strengthen
the INFOTERRA network.
Databases and Communications
--E-mail connection with UNEP headquarters in Geneva and
Nairobi.
--Worldwide facsimile network.
--Access over 500 EPA and commercial databases.
--Pathfinder to international environmental databases.
• EPA Staff Services
--Conduct briefings on INFOTERRA.
--Respond to international questions referred from staff.
--Tours for international visitors.
--Assist on activities related to INFOTERRA.
• Contact
INFOTERRA’U.S. National Focal Point
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW (PM2IIA)
Washington, D.C. 20460
Phone: (202) 382-5917
FAX: (202) 382-7886

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                     INFOTERRA

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INFOTERRA AND THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

When the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was created
at the  Stockholm Conference  in  1972,  its  founders  established
INFOTERRA,  the international environmental research and referral
system, as the cornerstone to UNEP activities.

  The INFOTERRA system is comprised of

*      National Focal Points  (NFP)

       -Network of 137 participating countries.
       -Access points where the public can seek answers to
        environmental questions.
       -Register and update sources for INFOTERRA Directory.

*      Regional Service  Centres

       -Geographic regions form sub-networks.
       -Share common expertise.
       -Pool resources to efficiently respond to queries.

*      Special Sectoral Sources

       -Contract institutions recognized as world leaders in various
        areas of environmental expertise.
       -Provide custom research on issues of speciall environmental
        priority.

•      Programme  Activity Centre

       -Located at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya,.
       -Coordinate network activities.
       -Train NFP staff.
       --Publish network bulletinTaRffHMWftliHfi'al materials
       -Maintain database.
       -Organize network conferences.

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