The following is a brief history that lead to the formation of CARMA.
- 1998 The Arctic Council ministers directed CAFF to "identify elements of a program to monitor circumpolar biodiversity" and to "assess the effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems".
- 1999 Roveniemi, Finland: a group funded by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) assembled to discuss the formation and elements of a circumpolar monitoring network for Rangifer.
- 2000 Iceland: CAFF group gathered to develop a framework for a circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program.
Rangifer confirmed as key indicator species and official Network endorsed. - 2001 Minary, NH, USA: core group met and received general direction to formalize a Rangifer Monitoring Network.
- 2004 Vancouver, BC, Canada: Official launch of the CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment Network (CARMA).
- 2005 CARMA invited to become an official Network under the CAFF's Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program
CARMA has held annual gatherings since 2004
- CARMA - 1 (2004)
Agreement on mission statement
Goal and objectives - CARMA - 2 (2005)
Outline elements of project for International Polar Year
Agreement on protocol development - CARMA - 3 (2006)
Implementation plan for CARMA-IPY project in anticipation of funding
Reference herd concept agreement
Presentation of body condition manual - CARMA - 4 (2007)
Review of existing data holdings and data gaps,
Data management and data sharing policies
Expansion of reference herd concept
Demography manual tabled
Introduction of some synthesis tools - CARMA - 5 (2008)
Update on data management and website intiatives
Developed ideas for continuation of CARMA after IPY funding ends
Developed list of synthesis and decision support tools