April 2025
Dear NEON Community,
NEON's five-year strategic plan was recently updated to reflect the key areas that will help ensure the program's long-term value by providing high-quality, standardized data from diverse ecological regions, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the continental U.S. Strategies include enabling partnerships, education, training and community engagement; continuing high-quality data collection; optimizing technology and innovation and more.
In February, Dr. Kate Thibault and I moderated a panel at the annual Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) meeting held in Boston, MA. Our session focused on the long-term monitoring of diverse ecosystems, a key component of our strategic plan. It included insights into NEON data synthesis from Dr. Sydne Record (University of Maine), ecological forecasting from Dr. Quinn Thomas (Virginia Tech), and integrating spectral data across scales to understand plant diversity from Dr. Jeannine Cavender-Bares (Harvard University).
Critical to our workforce development goals and maintaining our data quality, 250 new seasonal field technicians will join the team and contribute to the observatory across 20 Domains.
If you want to join our team, please explore the current job opportunities on our careers page.
NEON's five-year strategic plan was recently updated to reflect the key areas that will help ensure the program's long-term value by providing high-quality, standardized data from diverse ecological regions, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the continental U.S. Strategies include enabling partnerships, education, training and community engagement; continuing high-quality data collection; optimizing technology and innovation and more.
In February, Dr. Kate Thibault and I moderated a panel at the annual Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) meeting held in Boston, MA. Our session focused on the long-term monitoring of diverse ecosystems, a key component of our strategic plan. It included insights into NEON data synthesis from Dr. Sydne Record (University of Maine), ecological forecasting from Dr. Quinn Thomas (Virginia Tech), and integrating spectral data across scales to understand plant diversity from Dr. Jeannine Cavender-Bares (Harvard University).
Critical to our workforce development goals and maintaining our data quality, 250 new seasonal field technicians will join the team and contribute to the observatory across 20 Domains.
If you want to join our team, please explore the current job opportunities on our careers page.
Seasonal field technicians in Domain 15: Great Basin receiving training on flora data collection.
Understanding the NEON’s data, samples and infrastructure used in your research is essential to how we measure the observatory’s impact. Please provide information about your publications and research projects here, and be sure to cite NEON.
We look forward to what this season will bring.
Sincerely,
Paula
We look forward to what this season will bring.
Sincerely,
Paula
Measuring Plant Diversity from the Ground and the Air
Researchers at University of Minnesota and their co-authors published research that builds momentum towards a global biodiversity observation system using data from 31 NEON sites. The research team combined NEON’s high resolution Aerial Observation Platform data with in situ plant inventories, including NEON plant presence and precent cover data, to understand the relationship between plant biodiversity on the ground and remotely sensed spectral metrics.
Their research improves the potential for monitoring biodiversity globally using both ground-based measures and imaging spectroscopy. Learn more.
RGB camera photography, canopy height model, and hyperspectral imagery at TALL - Talladega National Forest NEON field site in 2018.
Share Your NEON Paper!
Do you have a recently published paper that uses NEON data, samples, or resources? Let us know - we can share it! Fill out our webform to get started.
Do you have a recently published paper that uses NEON data, samples, or resources? Let us know - we can share it! Fill out our webform to get started.
BLOGS
NEON’s Impact on Wildfire Research: Assessing Dead Trees in Yellowstone National Park, Forest Loss in California and Nitrogen Deposition Levels in ColoradoInside Battelle blog highlights three examples of research either impacted by or leveraging NEON data to research wildfires. You can read more on NEON’s contribution assessing dead trees in Yellowstone National Park, loss of forest in California and nitrogen deposition below.
Read the Updated NEON 5-Year Strategic Plan
NEON’s directive is to provide free and open data, samples, and infrastructure to enable the science of others. Our mission is to support researchers and the public to advance understanding of ecological processes and inform the sustainable management of U.S. ecosystems. The development of this plan was steered with these ultimate ideas in mind.
From Rabbits to Research: Samantha Kremidas Finds Her Niche at Battelle
Learn how program analyst Samantha Kremidas turned her love for ecological science into a thriving career at NEON.
See all Observatory and Battelle blogs
IN MEDIA
WPI Today, March 27, 2025
Students explore careers in sustainability through mentorship program
Time Herald-Record, March 26, 2025
With spring brings uninvited guests. What to know about tick season in NY
OSU.edu, Jan 22, 2025
Tweet success: AI tunes into Hawaiian birdsong for conservation
Featured Positions
Senior Technician - Calibration Laboratory
This is a senior Meterology Technician position that provides support for specially assembled and calibrated sensors and standards to ensure quality of measurements for the NEON project. The position is on-site in Boulder, CO.
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Join our team and apply your expertise to craft and execute marketing and communication strategies that elevate both internal and external engagement while amplifying the brand presence of the NEON program and Battelle. This position is hybrid in Boulder, CO.
This is a senior Meterology Technician position that provides support for specially assembled and calibrated sensors and standards to ensure quality of measurements for the NEON project. The position is on-site in Boulder, CO.
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Join our team and apply your expertise to craft and execute marketing and communication strategies that elevate both internal and external engagement while amplifying the brand presence of the NEON program and Battelle. This position is hybrid in Boulder, CO.
Other Open Positions
Neon is still hiring seasonal field technicians and interns!
Full-time Field Ecologist positions are open in Florida, Utah, Alaska, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, and Arizona.
Full-time Field Ecologist positions are open in Florida, Utah, Alaska, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, and Arizona.
EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Participate in the Global Ecosystem Research Infrastructure (GERI) survey
As part of an NSF AccelNet award focused on harmonizing drought data, the Global Ecosystem Research Infrastructure (GERI; https://global-ecosystem-ri.org/about/) is conducting a study to better understand the technical skills and training opportunities needed to leverage the wealth of data provided by research infrastructures and networks.
If you are an environmental science researcher, please consider contributing to the dataset by taking this survey and distributing the survey to your networks. The survey will be open until May 31st, 2025.
Global Ecosystem Research Infrastructure Early Career Scholar Exchange
GERI is also participating in an Early Career Scholar Exchange in Boulder, CO (USA) from July 21-25, 2025. This Scholar Exchange will include professional trainings, manuscript writing and co-authorship, a data hackathon, field trips, and more! Learn more and apply by April 30.
NEON Research Support Services (NRSS) Informational Webinar
Wed, Apr 30, 2025, 1 pm MT - Virtual: Register to attend
The NEON Research Support Services (NRSS) makes available components of NEON’s infrastructure to members of the community to support their own research or other activities. Explore aspects of the NRSS Program, including the array of research support options and accessible infrastructure in this webinar.
Science Seminar: Where and when does stoichiometry matter in aquatic ecosystems?
Tues, May 13, 2025, 12 pm MT - Virtual: Register to attend
Join Eric Moody of Middlebury College on May 13, 2025 for a talk, "Where and when does stoichiometry matter in aquatic ecosystems?"
Nominate yourself or a colleague to give a NEON Science Seminar
NEON is planning next season’s seminar schedule. You can submit a nomination for yourself or a colleague to give a future NEON Science Seminar by visiting the Nominate a Public Science Seminar Speaker page.
NEON Convergence Summit
Oct 15-17, 2025 - Boulder, CO
Save the date and stay tuned for a Call for Applications for NEON’s first Convergence Summit, held October 15-17 in Boulder, Colorado. This in-person facilitated event will bring together NEON staff, NEON Ambassadors and interdisciplinary teams of researchers who are motivated to explore innovative new ways to use NEON data, samples, and infrastructure to advance science.
GERI is also participating in an Early Career Scholar Exchange in Boulder, CO (USA) from July 21-25, 2025. This Scholar Exchange will include professional trainings, manuscript writing and co-authorship, a data hackathon, field trips, and more! Learn more and apply by April 30.
NEON Research Support Services (NRSS) Informational Webinar
Wed, Apr 30, 2025, 1 pm MT - Virtual: Register to attend
The NEON Research Support Services (NRSS) makes available components of NEON’s infrastructure to members of the community to support their own research or other activities. Explore aspects of the NRSS Program, including the array of research support options and accessible infrastructure in this webinar.
Science Seminar: Where and when does stoichiometry matter in aquatic ecosystems?
Tues, May 13, 2025, 12 pm MT - Virtual: Register to attend
Join Eric Moody of Middlebury College on May 13, 2025 for a talk, "Where and when does stoichiometry matter in aquatic ecosystems?"
Nominate yourself or a colleague to give a NEON Science Seminar
NEON is planning next season’s seminar schedule. You can submit a nomination for yourself or a colleague to give a future NEON Science Seminar by visiting the Nominate a Public Science Seminar Speaker page.
NEON Convergence Summit
Oct 15-17, 2025 - Boulder, CO
Save the date and stay tuned for a Call for Applications for NEON’s first Convergence Summit, held October 15-17 in Boulder, Colorado. This in-person facilitated event will bring together NEON staff, NEON Ambassadors and interdisciplinary teams of researchers who are motivated to explore innovative new ways to use NEON data, samples, and infrastructure to advance science.
Joe Buck
Domain 11: Southern Plains
Joe joins NEON following years of ecology and land management consulting across the U.S., where he helped organizations find solutions to ecological and environmental challenges.
“I am excited to be working with great colleagues at NEON and I am looking forward to supporting the team in the wonderful Southern Plains (Domain 11). The Southern Plains is where the East meets the West in the U.S.; an amazing place for an ecologist to live and work!” - Joe
Domain 11: Southern Plains
Joe joins NEON following years of ecology and land management consulting across the U.S., where he helped organizations find solutions to ecological and environmental challenges.
“I am excited to be working with great colleagues at NEON and I am looking forward to supporting the team in the wonderful Southern Plains (Domain 11). The Southern Plains is where the East meets the West in the U.S.; an amazing place for an ecologist to live and work!” - Joe
Ashley Spink
Domain 05: Great Lakes
Ashley brings over a decade of NEON experience to her role as Domain Manager. She began her NEON journey in 2014, starting as a Field Ecologist just as the Great Lakes Domain was being built.
“It has been incredibly fulfilling to see how much the Observatory and the work we do here in the Great Lakes Domain (D05) has grown and evolved over the past decade. I am passionate about the work that NEON does and the D05 field sites have become home to me. I am excited to be able to support my team and my domain in a new way." -Ashley
Domain 05: Great Lakes
Ashley brings over a decade of NEON experience to her role as Domain Manager. She began her NEON journey in 2014, starting as a Field Ecologist just as the Great Lakes Domain was being built.
“It has been incredibly fulfilling to see how much the Observatory and the work we do here in the Great Lakes Domain (D05) has grown and evolved over the past decade. I am passionate about the work that NEON does and the D05 field sites have become home to me. I am excited to be able to support my team and my domain in a new way." -Ashley
Data Notifications
Data Notifications provide alerts and information about recent updates to NEON data products. You can receive data notifications directly to your email inbox and tailor which data products or data product groups you would like to be notified about.
Observatory Status Update
NEON operations and restrictions vary across the Observatory. Find information about AOP flight schedules, data collection and field site status and more on our website, updated weekly.
NEON Remote Sensing Data Available on Google Earth Engine
NEON has added a subset of the Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) data products to Google Earth Engine (GEE), an optimized cloud-computing platform for conducting remote sensing data analysis. GEE is free for research purposes. NEON data on GEE will provide another avenue through which researchers can access and work with AOP data; all AOP data products can still be accessed as usual through the NEON Data Portal.
NEON Biorepository
Biologic samples are available upon request to support research studies and analyses; discover and access NEON's archived samples on the NEON Biorepository Data Portal.
Data Notifications provide alerts and information about recent updates to NEON data products. You can receive data notifications directly to your email inbox and tailor which data products or data product groups you would like to be notified about.
Observatory Status Update
NEON operations and restrictions vary across the Observatory. Find information about AOP flight schedules, data collection and field site status and more on our website, updated weekly.
NEON Remote Sensing Data Available on Google Earth Engine
NEON has added a subset of the Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) data products to Google Earth Engine (GEE), an optimized cloud-computing platform for conducting remote sensing data analysis. GEE is free for research purposes. NEON data on GEE will provide another avenue through which researchers can access and work with AOP data; all AOP data products can still be accessed as usual through the NEON Data Portal.
NEON Biorepository
Biologic samples are available upon request to support research studies and analyses; discover and access NEON's archived samples on the NEON Biorepository Data Portal.
More and more researchers are using NEON data! You can explore NEON publications through Dimensions, or see publications tracked by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility!
Learn how to find papers of interest here.
Knowing how NEON’s data, samples, and infrastructure are used in research is important to measure the program’s success. Please report your publications and related projects here and learn how to cite NEON here. If you know of a publication not included in the list, please notify us.
Learn how to find papers of interest here.
Knowing how NEON’s data, samples, and infrastructure are used in research is important to measure the program’s success. Please report your publications and related projects here and learn how to cite NEON here. If you know of a publication not included in the list, please notify us.
Follow NEON on Social Media!
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