The United States Group on Earth Observations (USGEO) is chartered as a subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council’s (NSTC) Committee on Environment.  As an NSTC subcommittee, USGEO is responsible for: 

- planning and coordinating Federal Earth observations, research, and activities; 

- fostering improved Earth system data management and interoperability; 

- identifying high-priority user needs for Earth observations data; and 

- engaging international stakeholders by formulating the U.S. position for, and coordinating U.S. participation in the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO). 

The White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) oversees USGEO’s  development of the National Plan for Civil Earth Observations (the National Plan, or the Plan). The Plan is a “mechanism to ensure greater coordination of the research, operations, and activities relating to civilian Earth observation” that produces and routinely updates the strategic plan for Earth observations. The Plan helps coordinate Federally-supported Earth observations and investments, identify opportunities to advance Earth observations, and achieve national Earth observation policy objectives. 

USGEO and OSTP are proud to announce the release of the 2024 National Plan for Civil Earth Observations. The Plan provides a vision for continued U.S. global leadership in enabling and leveraging civil Earth observations to increase access to Earth data and address global changes. In developing this Plan, USGEO established three overarching principles that guided its approach and support the vision:

1. Improve the integration of Earth observing services across Federal agencies and the broader Earth Observation Enterprise;
2. Ensure integrity and long-term quality of Earth observations data across the Earth Observations Enterprise, and
3. Ensure the continued availability of foundational U.S. Government capabilities in Earth observations, while expanding the use of commercial data and services.

To realize this vision in ways that advance Administration priorities and engage with agency and stakeholder needs, this Plan emphasizes three thematic, interconnected goals, objectives and cross-cutting Enterprise Initiatives. The three goals are:

Goal 1. Advance Science-Informed Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Activities

Goal 2. Strengthen Environmental Monitoring and Management

Goal 3. Improve Human Health and Safety

In addition to these goals, the National Plan engages organizations across the Earth Observation Enterprise through a series of enterprise-level initiatives that focus on:

Initiative A. Sustained Observing and Monitoring System Capacity

Initiative B. Equitable Access to & Ethical Use of Earth Observations Data

Initiative C. Increased Diversity and Expanded Stakeholder Engagement

Initiative D. Domestic and International Partner Collaboration

Initiative E. Institutional and Workforce Readiness

Initiative F. Continuous Assessment of Earth Observation Systems

In combination, these initiatives accomplish the National Plan goals to realize ever-increasing benefits of Earth observations for society.

This town hall provides attendees from across the Earth observation sector – commercial, nonprofit, academia and government – the opportunity to shape the actions and recommendations within the National Plan, and discuss continuity of and improvements to earth observing. Organizers are encouraging a community-wide discussion of opportunities and challenges presented to the Earth Observations Enterprise, including innovations in acquisition and use.