U.S. Group on Earth Observations

Coordinating United States civilian Earth Observations

USGEO Overview

USGEO is the interagency coordination mechanism for Departments and Federal Agencies' civil Earth observations activities. USGEO is a Subcommittee under the White House National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC) Committee on the Environment (CE).

USGEO's purpose is threefold:

one
Coordinate, plan, and assess Federal Earth observation activities in cooperation with domestic stakeholders;
two
Foster improved Earth system data management and interoperability throughout the Federal Government; and,
three
Engage interagency and national stakeholders to formulate the U.S. position for, and coordinate U.S. participation in the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO).

Why are Earth Observations Important?

Earth observations impact our lives every day. Empowered by bold ideas, America's leadership in global Earth observation protects lives, property, and the environment, and promotes American prosperity and security. From agriculture and active forest management to regional weather forecasts and transportation apps on personal cellular devices, Earth observations are a significant but often invisible part of our lives.

To build a robust Earth observation portfolio that responds to multiple opportunities, the Earth Observations Enterprise, which encompasses the full value chain from observations to end-user benefits, must be reliable, based on open and accurate data, open to new partners, and trustworthy. To achieve this, the Enterprise depends on continued investment, strong partnerships with industry and academia, innovations in science, technology, new applications and commercial products, optimization of observing activities, and a workforce capable of advancing and using Earth observations.

USGEO supports the Biden Administration’s priorities of Climate, Equity, Economy and Restoring America’s Global Standings. For Earth observations this translates into leveraging the powerfully unique, mutually beneficial and collaborative roles of each sector of an Earth Observations Enterprise: Federal agencies; State, local, tribal, and territorial governments; world-leading colleges and universities; private industries; non-profit organizations; and Federal and National Laboratories involved in the collection and dissemination of observations; operation of enabling infrastructure; and end-users of Earth observation data.