NASA’s Approach to Building Capacity to Use Earth Observations: Reaching Multiple Geographic Scales

Abstract:

Earth observation data is ever increasing in volume and utility for societal good, which drives a need for capacity development opportunities. NASA sits in a unique position to harness these data and provide resources to users. The NASA Capacity Building Program (CBP) connects potential users with Earth science data and information to increase their awareness and enhance sustained use of these resources in decision making. Through trainings, collaborative feasibility studies, and co-development projects, CBP engages users across disciplines, user sectors, and geographies, employing different scales of its work. CBP pursues these activities through three elements: SERVIR, ARSET, and DEVELOP. SERVIR, a joint initiative between NASA and USAID, works in partnership with leading regional organizations in five regions (Amazonia, West Africa, East & Southern Africa, Mekong, and Hindu-Kush Himalayas) to empower developing countries to use geospatial resources at the national and regional scales through co-production and institutional capacity building activities. The Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET) works to build skills in individuals and institutions through global webinars that introduce users to remote sensing information and datasets. DEVELOP connects users and early career professionals through rapid feasibility projects that apply NASA Earth observations to the user’s decision making process and identify a “recipe” for replication at the local scale. The program works across eight thematic areas (Water Resources, Disasters, Ecological Forecasting, Health & Air Quality, Agriculture & Food Security, Energy, Transportation & Infrastructure, and Urban Development) and with a variety of user sectors (academia, local and state governments, federal governments, intergovernmental organizations, consortiums, non-profit and for-profit organizations, NGOs, and tribal entities). This poster highlights the capacity building approaches used when addressing different scales, resulting outcomes, and lessons learned.