NEON and TERN Sign Interoperability and Collaboration Agreement

NEON and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-May 2013. The MOU is a written agreement to foster collaboration and interoperability between TERN and NEON on core network elements such as delineation of science requirements, measurements and sampling protocols; data products; informatics; science and education programs and project management. Collaboration objectives include establishing an action plan using this strategic framework, continuing program-level discussions to enhance opportunities for collaboration, exploring opportunities for personnel exchange and continuing joint participation in a variety of workshops and symposia. The MOU formalizes announced a working agreement announced at the 2013 TERN symposium held February 18-20 in Canberra, Australia. Attendees included ecosystem scientists, managers, and policymakers from across Australia and New Zealand. The symposium brought together a diverse group of people who are intent on building a national, networked program of collaborative research. NEON meetings with TERN and its Australian Supersite Network began last fall. Interoperability and data comparability were discussed, among other topics that the MOU now addresses.