Data management has been and continues to be an integral part of the Baruch Institute's research program.  Efforts began with the implementation of long-term monitoring programs and have evolved into a well-respected data management program, for which the GIP Lab is responsible.  The latest techniques and federal standards are incorporated into the data management program, from automated data entry and quality assurance/quality control programs to the use of software that provides for Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)-compliant metadata.  Recognition of the data management program's expertise resulted in selection of the GIP Lab to manage the Centralized Data Management Office (CDMO) in support of NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve System-wide Monitoring Program (SWMP).

Data dissemination is also a large part of the data management program.  Utilizing a hypermedia browser on the WWW, Baruch Institute data tables and graphics are accessible and can be downloaded to variety of computing platforms.  Online, FGDC compliant metadata forms and internet mapping systems allow users to build, compile, download, and modify data, metadata, and maps.  This accessibility to data and metadata provides a mechanism for distributing information to researchers, students, coastal zone managers, and educational users as well as to the public.