For the proposed work, the overall mission is to support a strong user base that contributes and uses globe observer land cover data. Specifically, tasks identified with this work are: 1. Continue…

Oregon State University has been awarded a $99,997 research grant by a civilian federal agency's Shared Services Center, with performance to be completed in Corvallis, Oregon by December 31, 2026. The award supports the GLOBE Observer Land Cover initiative, a citizen science program focused on building and maintaining a robust user community that contributes and utilizes land cover data. Under this grant, OSU will execute twelve key tasks including conducting post-release testing and usability evaluation of the GLOBE Observer application, developing content for land cover educational toolkits, collaborating with research scientists to optimize data applications, and implementing comprehensive outreach and training strategies aligned with NASA guidelines.

The contract encompasses significant engagement and capacity-building activities across the science and applications communities. OSU will represent GLOBE Observer at major conferences and symposia such as the American Geophysical Union and Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences to expand the data collection user base, develop and deliver science-based training materials through webinars and workshops, identify and cultivate relationships with scientists in a dedicated database, and coordinate messaging between citizen scientists and the broader research community. The award carries no set-aside designation, reflecting a competitive selection process based on OSU's demonstrated expertise in research, outreach, and stakeholder engagement across diverse federal missions.

For the proposed work, the overall mission is to support a strong user base that contributes and uses globe observer land cover data. Specifically, tasks identified with this work are: 1. Continue to test final release full protocol/APP with users/informal educators after release. 2. Report usability and recommend changes. 3. Provide content for the land cover toolkits. 4. Work with globe research scientist to identify how best to support scientists' use of land cover data. 5. Along with globe research scientist, draft and implement and applications plan for globe observer following NASA guidelines. 6. Represent globe observer at relevant conferences, workshops, and symposia to increase the data collection and build a strong user base (e.g. AGU, association for advancing participatory sciences, etc.). 7. Along with globe research scientist, identify best training/support mechanisms (webinar, workshop, training documents, etc.) to train scientists and applications users on land cover data. 8. Identify, contact, and contribute to database of scientists. 9. Support outreach events and activities as needed, including social media. 10. Liaise with the science and applications communities to inform citizen scientists of research needs: develop coordinated messaging with other subject matter leads, scientists, and the globe observer communications lead support citizen scientists. 11. Provide science-based globe/globe observer training material to educate partners (as needed). 12. Provide science-based communication material to report back to citizen scientists on how science and application community uses data (as needed).