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March 14, 2017

Calling for nominations to honor outstanding accomplishments to the spatial data infrastructure mission of the Department of Interior

Doug Nebert presenting at a conference, expanding on his vision of National Spatial Dataset Infrastructure issues (undated photo
Doug Nebert presenting at a conference, expanding on his vision of National Spatial Dataset Infrastructure issues (undated photo).(USGS)

The Federal Geographic Data Committee is now accepting nominations for the Doug D. Nebert National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Champion of the Year Award. Doug was a recognized national and international leader in the establishment of spatial data infrastructures and technical visionary as well as a respected colleague.

To commemorate Doug Nebert’s varied contributions to and passions for our nation’s geography and cartography, the FGDC is accepting nominations for the newly established award.

“This award commemorates Doug’s influence in promoting the vision of the NSDI,” said Ivan DeLoatch, Executive Director of the FGDC. “This is a unique opportunity to honor significant contributions to an individual or group of individuals that have furthered the goal of available and easily integrated data to enhance the understanding of our physical and cultural world.”

Eligibility: The nominations are available to an individual or a team representing Federal, State, Tribal, regional, and/or local government, academia, or nonprofit and professional organization that has developed an outstanding, innovative, and operational tool, application, or service capability used by multiple organizations that furthers the vision of the NSDI. The nominee must be a US Citizen.

Nomination Process: Each nomination package will be submitted in electronic form through the award website and include justification and related nomination information. Nominations are due by May 5, 2017.

Award Selection: An interagency team of SDI experts from the FGDC will review all nominations and make a recommendation for the award to the FGDC Chair who will make the final decision on the award. The award information will be posted on the FGDC website.

The award is based on the following foundational precepts:

  • Innovation and vision
  • Interoperability
  • Use of standards
  • Advancement of NSDI principles
  • Service to communities of users
  • Developed once, used by many
  • Improved performance and service
  • Real-world application

2016 Award Winner: The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC) MODIS team was selected as the first recipient of the Doug D. Nebert NSDI Champion of the Year Award. The ORNL DAAC MODIS team is recognized as an early pioneer in remote sensing-based Spatial Data Infrastructures and has developed systems that serve as models of success through integrating and delivering spatial data, tools, and services to a broad global community of practitioners, educators, and students.

Further questions can be directed to Lucia Foulkes  or Rich Frazier.

2016 Nebert Award winners: ORNL DAAC
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC) MODIS representatives accept the FGDC 2016 Doug D. Nebert NSDI Champion of the Year Award. Left to right: Ivan DeLoatch, Executive Director, FGDC; ORNL representatives Dr. Robert Cook, Dr. Makhan Virdi, and Suresh Vannan; Camille Touton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Dept. of the Interior; Kevin Gallagher, USGS Associate Director for Core Science Systems.(USGS)

 

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