June 2025
NEON'S NARRATIVE
Welcoming thoughts from NEON leadership
Welcoming thoughts from NEON leadership
As we mark Safety Month this June, I want to highlight how NEON prioritizes safety for all our staff. Our safety program is woven into everything we do in Field Science, ensuring everyone, from brand-new field staff still attending university to experienced managers, has the training and empowerment to stay safe. Each year, our group logs over 450,000 staff hours to collect data.
Comprehensive Safety Training
NEON’s safety program is tailored to each Domain, from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Our teams work in diverse environments, from deserts to mountains, and face varied conditions daily. Staff are trained to recognize and respond to environmental hazards like extreme heat, wildlife encounters, poisonous plants, thunderstorms and wildfires. In addition, every team member has the authority to stop work if they feel unsafe.
This year we are beta-testing an enhanced first aid and CPR training, preparing staff for the unique field situations in remote environments that go beyond standard training provided in an office-type setting.
Environmental and Driving Safety
Safe driving is a significant focus, with training that stresses the importance of attentive driving. This is essential, given the extensive travel and rough road conditions required to reach our field sites.
Electrical and Equipment Safety and Fall Protection
Electrical safety is critical for those working with aquatic and tower instrumentation, with training levels matched to the safety complexity of the work. Fall protection training ensures that everyone working at heights on our towers is prepared and protected. We also emphasize training on safe hand tools and unique field sampling equipment use, focusing on ergonomics and injury prevention.
Safety Security Officers and Reporting
Each Domain has a dedicated Safety Security Officer who partners with Domain Managers to monitor and improve safety. In addition, a Chemical Hygiene Officer at each Domain ensures we are compliant and safe with our chemical usage both in lab and field settings. We encourage everyone to report near misses, which helps us identify hazards and continuously improve our safety practices.
Mental Health and Well-Being
Fieldwork can be demanding. All staff, including seasonal staff, can access Battelle’s Employee Assistance Programs. We want everyone to feel supported, both physically and mentally.
Impact on Data Quality
Our commitment to safety directly impacts the quality of the data we collect. Every data point represents hours of careful preparation and a strong focus on technician safety, so our data users can trust its quality and reliability.
I encourage everyone to stay alert and continue prioritizing safety!
Stay safe,
Chau Tran
Field Science Lead, NEON Program
Comprehensive Safety Training
NEON’s safety program is tailored to each Domain, from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Our teams work in diverse environments, from deserts to mountains, and face varied conditions daily. Staff are trained to recognize and respond to environmental hazards like extreme heat, wildlife encounters, poisonous plants, thunderstorms and wildfires. In addition, every team member has the authority to stop work if they feel unsafe.
This year we are beta-testing an enhanced first aid and CPR training, preparing staff for the unique field situations in remote environments that go beyond standard training provided in an office-type setting.
Environmental and Driving Safety
Safe driving is a significant focus, with training that stresses the importance of attentive driving. This is essential, given the extensive travel and rough road conditions required to reach our field sites.
Electrical and Equipment Safety and Fall Protection
Electrical safety is critical for those working with aquatic and tower instrumentation, with training levels matched to the safety complexity of the work. Fall protection training ensures that everyone working at heights on our towers is prepared and protected. We also emphasize training on safe hand tools and unique field sampling equipment use, focusing on ergonomics and injury prevention.
Safety Security Officers and Reporting
Each Domain has a dedicated Safety Security Officer who partners with Domain Managers to monitor and improve safety. In addition, a Chemical Hygiene Officer at each Domain ensures we are compliant and safe with our chemical usage both in lab and field settings. We encourage everyone to report near misses, which helps us identify hazards and continuously improve our safety practices.
Mental Health and Well-Being
Fieldwork can be demanding. All staff, including seasonal staff, can access Battelle’s Employee Assistance Programs. We want everyone to feel supported, both physically and mentally.
Impact on Data Quality
Our commitment to safety directly impacts the quality of the data we collect. Every data point represents hours of careful preparation and a strong focus on technician safety, so our data users can trust its quality and reliability.
I encourage everyone to stay alert and continue prioritizing safety!
Stay safe,
Chau Tran
Field Science Lead, NEON Program
RNA sequencing analysis of viromes of Aedes albopictus and Aedes vexans collected from NEON sites
- Showcasing support for safer public health interventions against mosquito-borne diseases, researchers evaluated two mosquito viruses from NEON sites.
- By analyzing wind patterns, researchers demonstrate the importance of ensuring ecosystem stability and agricultural safety under changing climate conditions.
Explore how NEON data, samples, and infrastructure are being used in new research.
June 28: ATTEND
Mountain Lake Biological Station Open House
Come find NEON Domain 07 staff at the Mountain Lake Biological Station Annual Open House Saturday, June 28, 2-5pm ET in Pembroke, VA.
July 9: ATTEND
Webinar: Integrating Remotely Sensed Data with GBIF Mediated Data
Register for a hands-on webinar, led by NEON Ambassador Kit Lewers, on integrating NEON remotely sensed data with Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) mediated data and NASA hyperspectral imagery.
July 15: SUBMIT APPLICATION
ESA 2025: Ecology is Everywhere
Apply for the inaugural Best NEON Presentation Award, recognizing outstanding use of NEON data, samples, or infrastructure in oral presentations at the 2025 ESA meeting. Submit your application by July 15, 2025.
There will be many NEON sponsored events at ESA including three short courses and a field trip. The short courses and field trips require advance registration. If you are attending ESA, register for Short Course 3, Short Course 12, Short Course 16, or Field Trip 5 during registration. Visit the event page on the NEON website to learn more about NEON’s presence at ESA 2025!
July 22: ATTEND
Earth Science Information Partners July Meeting
Join NEON at the Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) Meeting July 22-25 in Seattle, WA. The ESIP July 2025 meeting offers hands-on, interdisciplinary deep-dives for attendees to explore the conference theme, "Innovation to Impact." Register, view the agenda, and learn more on the ESIP meeting website .
Mountain Lake Biological Station Open House
Come find NEON Domain 07 staff at the Mountain Lake Biological Station Annual Open House Saturday, June 28, 2-5pm ET in Pembroke, VA.
July 9: ATTEND
Webinar: Integrating Remotely Sensed Data with GBIF Mediated Data
Register for a hands-on webinar, led by NEON Ambassador Kit Lewers, on integrating NEON remotely sensed data with Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) mediated data and NASA hyperspectral imagery.
July 15: SUBMIT APPLICATION
ESA 2025: Ecology is Everywhere
Apply for the inaugural Best NEON Presentation Award, recognizing outstanding use of NEON data, samples, or infrastructure in oral presentations at the 2025 ESA meeting. Submit your application by July 15, 2025.
There will be many NEON sponsored events at ESA including three short courses and a field trip. The short courses and field trips require advance registration. If you are attending ESA, register for Short Course 3, Short Course 12, Short Course 16, or Field Trip 5 during registration. Visit the event page on the NEON website to learn more about NEON’s presence at ESA 2025!
July 22: ATTEND
Earth Science Information Partners July Meeting
Join NEON at the Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) Meeting July 22-25 in Seattle, WA. The ESIP July 2025 meeting offers hands-on, interdisciplinary deep-dives for attendees to explore the conference theme, "Innovation to Impact." Register, view the agenda, and learn more on the ESIP meeting website .
To view additional events, visit NEON’s event calendar.
U.S. National Science Foundation, Science Matters, May 21, 2025
Fighting the spread of Lyme disease
NSF-funded research reveals how ecology influences Lyme disease spread to improve prevention and control strategies.
Virginia Tech News, June 13, 2025
Listening to the Ecology of Birds
Researchers with the Conservation Management Institute at Virginia Tech describe their research on birds.
New York University, June 17, 2025
Scientists Find Unexpected Deep Roots in Plants
A team of researchers revealed root patterns that extend deeper into the ground than previously recognized.
Fighting the spread of Lyme disease
NSF-funded research reveals how ecology influences Lyme disease spread to improve prevention and control strategies.
Virginia Tech News, June 13, 2025
Listening to the Ecology of Birds
Researchers with the Conservation Management Institute at Virginia Tech describe their research on birds.
New York University, June 17, 2025
Scientists Find Unexpected Deep Roots in Plants
A team of researchers revealed root patterns that extend deeper into the ground than previously recognized.
Learn more about a career with Battelle and stay tuned for open NEON positions
Data Skills Tutorial
Exploring sample availability at the NEON Biorepository
Exploring sample availability at the NEON Biorepository
- Learn how to develop a sample list to optimally answer a research question based on NEON data product and NEON Biorepository sample availability.
Track weekly Observatory status updates.
Are you using NEON in your research?
Learn about NEON Research Support Services and how you can access NEON infrastructure, site coordination, and expert staff for your research.
Explore the NEON Field Sites & Domains to find field sites near you.
Subscribe to Flight Reports from NEON’s Airborne Observation Platform (AOP).
Find out what repositories have NEON Samples.
Explore the NEON Field Sites & Domains to find field sites near you.
Subscribe to Flight Reports from NEON’s Airborne Observation Platform (AOP).
Find out what repositories have NEON Samples.
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