Introduction

Once famously described as the final frontier, space is becoming a key vantage point for managing precious resources, protecting fragile environments, and supporting emergency response and preparedness here on Earth.  The view from space provides both the global context of changes on Earth and the local and regional impacts of those changes. 

However, transforming space-based observations to scientific information that is accessible and useful to decision-makers remains a tremendous challenge.  Many decision-makers are not aware of the full capabilities of current space-based instruments.  Moreover, much of the information derived from space-based observations is buried in data archives and only accessed by technical experts for select research topics. 

With the rapid evolution of information technology and the increasing emphasis on translating science data for the benefit of society, the prospects for applying space-based data to California’s day-to-day and long-term strategic challenges have never been higher.

Objective

This one day symposium was designed to bring together specialists in space-based Earth observations/information with technical leaders of state and local agencies, non-governmental environmental groups and commercial resource and environmental companies to address the promise and impediments in translating science observations to useful information and effectively getting that information into the hands of decision-makers.