USGEO is the interagency coordination mechanism for 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:

Coordinate and plan Federal Earth observation activities in cooperation with domestic stakeholders;

Foster improved Earth system data management and interoperability throughout the Federal Government; and,

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).

How is USGEO organized?

USGEO is co-chaired by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), along with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Its membership consists of 13 Federal Agencies and components of the Executive Office of the President.

What does USGEO do?

The USGEO Subcommittee principles meet monthly and conduct their activities through subsidiary working groups including:

1. The International Activities Working Group engages international stakeholders by formulating the U.S. position for, and coordinating U.S. participation in, the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). The United States leads or participates in multiple GEO-sponsored projects and initiatives, many involving enhanced global use of Earth observations to meet critical gaps in societal understanding.
2. The Satellite Needs Working Group collects agency satellite observation needs for NASA to consider as part of its satellite systems engineering and budgeting processes. The USGEO Satellite Needs process provides the first-ever whole-of-government approach to addressing agencies' civil Earth observation satellite needs.

What is the Group on Earth Observations?

Established in 2005, GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and organizations that envisions "a future wherein decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations and information." GEO Member governments include 108 nations and the European Commission, 136 Participating Organizations comprised of international bodies with a mandate in Earth observations, and 11 Associates comprised of commercial and non-governmental, not-for-profit and civil society organizations joining governments and international organizations as official GEO collaborators. More on GEO >>

What is the relationship between USGEO and GEO?

GEO is an international voluntary partnership in which the United States is a member and leader, whereas USGEO is a U.S. interagency subcommittee under White House auspices. USGEO is responsible for formulating the U.S. position for, and coordinating U.S. participation in, GEO.