Data Observation Network for Earth (DataONE) seeks to provide access to multiple heterogeneous information collections through a centralized metadata registry and a distributed and sustainable cyberinfrastucture. The focus of DataONE is ecology, biology, and environment science and related scientific disciplines. DataONE's intent is to help provide preservation, retrieval and value added analysis for archival data.

There are three major components in the DataONE infrastructure:

• Member Nodes, which represent data repositories,
• Coordinating Nodes, which serve data management and discovery services, and
• Investigator Toolkit, which contains a variety of end user tools for interacting with the infrastructure.

The USGS participates in the DataONE initiative by serving as a member node. This means that USGS contributes its data to the DataONE network, and also provides in-kind support - multiple CSAS and CSS employees share their expertise as members of various DataONE working groups. The CSAS and DataONE collaboration is mutually beneficial as it allows leveraging resources on the road to the common goal - enhancing access to the scientific information and data though developing and applying best practices in data management.

CSAS and CSS employees are contributing to several DataONE Committees and Working Groups. These include:

Community Education and Engagement
Leadership Team
Sustainability & Governance
Usability & Assessment
DataONE User Group