EROS 50th Anniversary

By Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

Celebrate 50 years of excellence at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center!

EROS Center leadership will host a special event for invited friends, family, and Center alumni to honor 50 years of service to our community, our nation, and our world.

Schedule of Events

Download the latest Schedule of Events (updated 8/3/2023)

Questions? Please email us at EROS50thAnniv@usgs.gov

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Thursday, August 17

Ribbon Cutting Reception

Downtown Sioux Falls for special guests, employees and alumni. Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

Friday, August 18

EROS Center Rededication

11:00 am for government officials and community stakeholders.

Saturday, August 19

Saturday - “Friends and Family” Celebration at EROS

Special guests, alumni, employees, friends, and families are invited to enjoy a day of events on the EROS Campus. The celebration will include special tours, science talks by current staff and alumni, special presentations about the kind of work performed at EROS every day, and a celebration ceremony commemorating the event!

The Celebration promises to be a memorable event for all ages and interest levels.

Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Please feel free to bring your own lunch.

Agenda for the EROS Friends and Family Event

8:30 a.m	Gates Open	EROS Campus
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Tours (on the hour)	Atrium
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Event Presentations: EROS 50th Anniversary Movie Poster Session Science Talks Alumni Session	EROS Outdoor/Indoor Auditorium* Training Rooms Front/Back Half Outdoor Stage*
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	EROS 50^th Anniversary Celebration	Outdoor Stage*
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Tours (on the hour)	Atrium
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m	Event Presentations: EROS 50th Anniversary Movie Poster Session Science Talks Alumni Session	EROS Outdoor/Indoor Auditorium* Training Rooms Front/Back Half Outdoor Stage*
3:00 p.m.	Event Closure	EROS Campus

*In the case of inclement weather, outdoor stage events will be held in the Auditorium, and the EROS 50th Anniversary Movie will be played in room 1106.

Alumni Presentations

9:00 a.m.	Tom Early	EROS Downtown Days
9:30 a.m	Ron Beck	International Training Overview
10:00 a.m.	Kristi Kline	Time Capsule
10:30 a.m.	Dave Greenlee	Data Analysis Lab
1:00 p.m.	Ron Risty	Emergency Response
1:30 p.m.	Jeff Eidenshink	Global Science
2:00 p.m.	Lyn Oleson	It’s all about Perspective
2:30 p.m.	Chris McGinty/Mary O’Neill	AmericaView, South DakotaView

Science Talks

9:00 a.m.	Pete Doucette	Remote Sensing from Artificial Satellites: Forward Leaning Trends in Remote Sensing
9:20 a.m.	Terry Sohl	Latest - Remote Sensing Science: Overview from EROS Science Branch Chief
9:40 a.m.	Gabe Senay	Crop Water: Mapping Ground Water using Satellite Data
10:00 a.m.	Kate Fickas	Vegetation Vision: Landsat + Climate Data = Drought Forecast
10:20 a.m.	Jess Brown	Land Change: Exploring Local Change in Urban Landscapes
10:40 a.m.		Loveland Memorial
1:00 p.m.	Dean Gesch	Elevation Matters: Why We Map Topography
1:20 p.m.	Steve Boyte	Burning Down the House: Exotic Grass Invasion Sparks Fire
1:40 p.m.	Shahriar Pervez	Forecasting Floods: Impacts of Flooding on Food Security
2:00 p.m.	Jon Dewitz	National Land Cover Dataset: Everyone’s land cover
2:20 p.m	Cody Anderson	ECCOE: Understanding Calibration and Validation
2:40 p.m.	Cole Krehbiel / Brianna Lind	NASA’s LP DAAC & EEARS: Easy to use Apps for Remote Sensing data

Visiting EROS

The EROS Director’s Office and Facilities Management are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for visitors to our facility. The following information is intended to inform EROS visitors of the safety and security requirements to better ensure that everyone has a safe and secure visit.

All public visitors’ vehicles and persons will need to be screened prior to being allowed access onto Federal property. All visitors are required to stop at the main gate where you will receive additional instructions.

Upon entrance to the visitor main lobby, you will be processed through a security check point. Only bring in items that are necessary. Cameras and video recorders are allowed inside the facility with some restrictions. Taking pictures outside the Center is not authorized without permission. Animals are not allowed on Federal property unless they are documented working animals with a valid license or certification to do so.

USGS requires all visitors to present government-issued identification for access to its facilities. Visitors age 16 or older will be required to present valid government-issued photo identification (federal, state, or local), such as a driver's license, an enhanced driver’s license, or a passport. Visitors under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (parent, sponsor, or guardian) that can verify identities. All public visitors driving a vehicle must have a driver’s license.

Local Events

August 18 & 19 - Sioux Falls Canaries Baseball

August 19 - Downtown Riverfest

EROS 50th Anniversary