GLOBE News Brief – January 2026 | | |
Dear GLOBE community,
Happy New Year!
Have you updated your GLOBE Observer app lately? It's important to have the most recent version. With the new training requirements and recent updates to the app and websites, all GLOBE users now have access to the full list of protocols and can enter data for any protocol for which they complete training. You can find the full list of trainings in the app and on the GLOBE website.
We are excited to share a new video that highlights a few ways in which the GLOBE Program has made a difference in the lives of students, educators, scientists, and volunteer observers since it began three decades ago! Please enjoy and share the video:
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Christina Buffington, Jackie DeLisi and Russanne (Rusty) Low of the GLOBE Implementation Office (GIO) and Holli Kohl of GLOBE Observer seek presenters for a GLOBE session at the 2026 Conference for Advancing Participatory Sciences (CAPS) on Friday 29 May. Learn more and submit an abstract.
For those collecting hydrology data, please note the article below about updates to the Secchi Disk Water Transparency protocol. And for anyone interested in using paper data sheets, we're excited to announce that several have recently been updated!
We are looking forward to seeing the Virtual Science Symposium (VSS) project submissions and how participants are using data to explore change in their local environments! The window for submissions closes 30 January. Prospective reviewers have until 25 January to sign up.
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 30 Years of GLOBE Campaign. What an amazing tribute to our anniversary, having so many community members looking at data spanning 30 years of GLOBE.
Best,
| Rebecca Lewis and Becky Boger, GIO Co-Directors | | Updated Paper Data Sheets | | |
The GLOBE protocol paper data sheets are being updated, and the first round of updates has been completed. These updated data sheets can be found in the Data Sheets sections of the protocol pages (look for "2026" in the file name!). The eTraining modules also link to the new data sheets, where applicable. These updates are being led by the GLOBE U.S. Coordination Office in collaboration with the GIO. Learn more about these updates, including the list of protocols with updated paper data sheets.
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Update to Secchi Disk Water Transparency Protocol and Data Entry | | |
The Secchi Disk Water Transparency protocol has been updated to improve accuracy and consistency in Secchi disk water transparency measurements. Learn more about the updates to the Secchi Disk Transparency Protocol Field Guide, eTraining, and corresponding changes in the data entry system.
| | GLOBE Showcased at AGU Annual Meeting | | |
GLOBE had a strong presence at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Annual Meeting held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, in December 2025. GLOBE community members contributed 19 presentations—several led by students. Dr. John Francis, Planetwalker and long-time GLOBE supporter, was a keynote speaker and talked about his work with GLOBE. Learn more.
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2026 Virtual Science Symposium (VSS) |
Submission Window Still Open
The project submission window is open for a special, abbreviated edition of VSS! The VSS provides an opportunity for GLOBE participants of all ages to showcase their GLOBE investigations. Participants have the opportunity to earn virtual badges and get valuable feedback on their GLOBE investigations from STEM professionals. Learn more about some of the big changes to the 2026 VSS. Participants are encouraged to submit their full research project or a research project proposal via the "Upload a Research Report" button on the 2026 Virtual Science Symposium webpage. The deadline to submit a project is 30 January.
Sign Up to Volunteer to Review VSS Projects!
Make an impact in the life of a GLOBE researcher by volunteering to be a 2026 VSS STEM reviewer! Reviewing consists of providing feedback on VSS research projects, which takes approximately 20 minutes per project and has a lasting impact on the future success of GLOBE researchers. We are looking for volunteers who can provide feedback on projects in English. If you are interested in reviewing, or know a STEM professional or educator who might be interested, please fill out the STEM Reviewer Volunteer Sign-Up Form by 25 January. More information can be found on the VSS Reviewer Resources webpage.
Upcoming Webinar
An orientation webinar for those selected as STEM reviewers will be held 11 February at 12 pm ET (17:00 UTC). Reviewers will receive registration information directly from VSS staff.
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These virtual sessions are designed to support the community by fostering collaboration, advancing scientific knowledge, and sharing innovative strategies.
Upcoming Session: Register Today!
Highlights from the Experiences of GLOBE UNITAR Global Diplomacy Fellows
18 February, 10 am ET (15:00 UTC)
Register now to join us as we hear from a panel of GLOBE members who have participated as Fellows in the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Global Diplomacy Institute. Panelists will share what they learned about science diplomacy and how the experience shaped their work with GLOBE. The session will offer opportunities for attendees to ask questions and learn about other similar potential opportunities.
Session Materials and Recordings
Please continue to visit the GLOBE Annual Meeting webpage for updates on GLOBE Learning Sessions and new opportunities to participate, as well as access to all recordings and materials from the 2025 GLOBE Annual Meeting.
Most Recent Learning Sessions
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30 Years of GLOBE Campaign Comes to a Close
Thank you to all who helped celebrate GLOBE’s 30th Anniversary through participation in the 30 Years of GLOBE Campaign: Comparing Data Past and Present, which wrapped up in December 2025. During the campaign, from September 2024 to December 2025, over 58,000 GLOBE community members contributed more than 24 million data points to the GLOBE database, an extraordinary accomplishment! Learn more about how the GLOBE community participated in the campaign.
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Blowing Snow Pilot Program
GLOBE invites you to help NOAA scientists verify satellite imagery of blowing snow! Learn more about why your observations are important and find instructions on how to submit blowing snow observations through GLOBE Clouds. Feature photos across the horizon showing poor visibility are especially useful!
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Trees Around the GLOBE
Upcoming Webinar
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Presenting and Archiving Your Forest and Land Cover Observations | 24 February at 1 pm ET (18:00 UTC; 19:00 CET) This webinar features students from Croatia as they present their 2026 VSS project, “Monitoring Environmental Changes Through Satellite Imagery;” a discussion on the importance of archiving your observations for future research; and a talk by Professor Peder Nelson about his recent conference presentation, “Integrating GLOBE Observer Tree and Land Cover Data with NASA Earth Observations for Environmental Monitoring.”
Webinar Recording
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GLOBE Observer Connect
Impacts of NASA Response Mappers | January Webinar
Join GLOBE Observer Connect on 22 January at 12 pm ET (17:00 UTC) when members of the NASA Disaster’s Program will share what they learned from the NASA Response Mappers pilot project and how the project impacted disaster impact mapping. Learn more and register.
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Ecological Disruptions
In the latest student vlogger videos, the vloggers dive into the ecological disruptions that impact the complex ecosystems where they live. Find out about the impact one small beetle has had on the ecosystem in Uruguay, learn how industrialization and population growth play a role in deforestation across the United States, and more. Visit the GLOBE YouTube channel to view all current and past vlogger videos.
| | Regional Campaigns and Highlights | |
Asia and Pacific
Event
- SAVE THE DATE: 2026 GLOBE Asia and Pacific Regional Meeting | 16–17 March
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Latin America and Caribbean (LAC)
Stars Story
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Near East and North Africa
Stars Story
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North America
Spring Phenology Campaign
The North American GLOBE community is encouraged to collect Green-Up data between February and June—whenever plant buds are changing from dormant to fully grown leaves in your location! Learn more and join the campaign.
News
Events
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North America Virtual Regional Meeting | 27–29 January 2026, 1–3:30 ET | The 2026 Virtual North American Regional Meeting (NARM) is an annual meeting of GLOBE U.S. partners and Canadian community members. The meeting provides an opportunity for sharing, discussion, and networking. Learn more and register.
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Find more events and opportunities on the Events page of the GLOBE website. Read more Stars Stories under News and Events.
| | Additional News and Information | |
Introducing NISAR: A Virtual Alaska Weather Symposium Webinar
21 January, 3 pm ET (20:00 UTC) | Join Dr. Franz Meyer, professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, as he provides an overview of NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) and highlights Alaska’s important role in the mission. The GIO's Christi Buffington will be facilitating this Virtual Alaska Weather Symposium (VAWS), hosted by the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCP). Learn more and register.
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Reminders
Upcoming My NASA Data Events
Are you interested in using authentic NASA Earth and/or environmental data to engage students with scientific practices and enhance their data literacy? Consider registering for the upcoming My NASA Data webinars. Learn more and register.
GLOBE International STEM Network (GISN)
If you're not already a member, the GISN welcomes scientists and STEM professionals to increase participation across all six GLOBE regions. Visit the GISN webpage to learn more and apply for membership.
GLOBE Publications
Have you written a GLOBE-related paper? Submit your publication(s) and browse the collection of recent and past submissions.
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