Vision
--------

The dynamic nature of Water Science research—in which approaches to observation, modelling, and prediction of Earth systems are continuously evolving—shapes our present data and re-shapes our legacy data collected over many years through reanalysis. Our interactions with well-managed data--past and present--leads us to new discoveries, new made-to-order solutions, and a sustainable process of iterative refinement of knowledge and research questions. This process inevitably results in future data which will become tomorrow’s important legacy.

Global Water Futures (GWF) is thus steadfastly committed to data stewardship and, to this end, has created this template-based form of data catalogue, GWFNet, able to incorporate legacy information and future information (of a to-be-determined form) as easily as it handles information from the present day.

The Vision for GWFNet is to enable a variety of information seekers--from the general public to highly specialized scientists--to easily zero in on trails of information and obtain publications, data sets, near-real-time hydrometeorological data sources, along with other related information that delivers context to the results associated with their searches (including basins, observatories, research sites, stations, model inventories, software, principal investigators, projects, and much more).

GWFNet has been spawned as an output of Global Water Futures, but its mission is to persistently bridge and synthesize information from Canadian programs on Water Science from the
past ( www.gwfnet.net/Metadata/Record/Legacy%20Projects ):
- MAGS: The Mackenzie Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX),
- DRI: Drought Research Initiative,
- IP3: Improving Processes and Parameterization for Prediction in Cold Regions Hydrology,
- CCRN: Changing Cold Regions Network, and
- INARCH: The International Network for Alpine Research Catchment Hydrology);
present:
- GWF: Global Water Futures ( www.gwf.usask.ca ); and
future:
- Program (to be determined).

Today’s legacy is tomorrow’s future!


About
--------

GWFNet is a catalogue of linked, template-based information records on Water Science associated with the Global Water Futures program, other important foundational programs that led to Global Water Futures, and to follow-on programs that will be inspired by Global Water Futures.

GWFNet is, and always will be, under active development. Its evolution is gradual, continuous, and governed (and strongly motivated) by user satisfaction and whatever enhancements are necessary for the representation of information sought after by the programs it serves. GWFNet is designed to endure long after Global Water Futures and to serve as an important information resource in follow-on Water Science programs inspired by Global Water Futures.



Video
--------
www.gwfnet.net/fileserver/T-2021-12-12-Z1QwFfKmMC0uRRuaZ1XEoDlA/GWFNet_Part_A_Introduction.mp4