National Forum on Earth Observation
Overview
- Type: Forum
- Date: to
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET
- Duration: 3 days
- Cost: Free
- Location: Canadian Space Agency (CSA) headquarters,
John H. Chapman Space Centre
6767 Route de l'Aéroport
Borough of Saint-Hubert
Longueuil, Quebec and virtual - Languages: French and English
- Target audience: Public sector user departments (federal and provincial), industry, academia, Indigenous communities
Summary
This event will bring together Canadian stakeholders from industry, academia, Indigenous communities and public sector in order to assess current Earth observation (EO) undertakings and discuss the next steps for satellite EO in Canada.
Detailed description
The National Forum on EO will be held from to at the CSA's John H. Chapman Space Centre in Longueuil, Quebec, and virtually.
The program will include plenary sessions and workshops.
In preparation, we are undertaking a number of consultations with several stakeholder communities via preparatory meetings. The results will be discussed during the Forum.
The last EO Forum took place in . It brought together more than 300 participants from the Canadian EO community, representing federal and provincial governmental departments, academia, and industry.
Objectives
- Reiterate the Canadian EO framework.
- Discuss current and upcoming EO investments and activities in Canada.
- Present opportunities for collaboration in Canada and abroad.
- Bring together the various Canadian EO communities to foster connections and partnerships.
Career Connect: the EO sector would like to meet you!
The day before the National EO Forum gets started, an event called Career Connect will be held, consisting of three panels led by representatives from industry, academia and government. The objective is to help students and young professionals better understand recruiting processes as well as the effects that changes in the field of EO may have on hiring requirements. A Q&A period will follow.
The event will take place in hybrid format on starting at 1:00 p.m. ET. Don't miss it!
Key dates
| Date | Milestone | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Registration for in-person Forum participation | ||
| Registration for virtual Forum participation | ||
| Registration for in-person Career Connect participation | ||
| Registration for virtual Career Connect participation | ||
| to 30 | Forum | N/A |
Preliminary schedule
(Career Connect)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 12:30 p.m. |
Registration & security |
| P.M. |
Career Connect introduction Academia panel Government panel Health break Industry panel Round table Closing remarks |
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. |
Registration & security |
|
| A.M. |
Opening session
|
|
| A.M. |
Plenary 1 Advancing Canada's Satellite EO Strategy: Accomplishments and Future Priorities |
This panel will feature directors general from the three federal departments leading the Satellite Earth Observation (SEO) Initiative: the CSA, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). The panel will highlight SEO accomplishments since the last National EO Forum, provide a brief update on initiatives in development that will be discussed in more detail throughout the forum and communicate priorities moving forward. |
| A.M. | Health break |
|
| A.M. / P.M. |
Plenary 2 International Data: The Next Generation of EO Missions |
EO satellites provide data on oceans, ice, land environments and the atmosphere. They are useful for monitoring and protecting our environment and planet and for helping us better understand them. This session will provide information on the next generation of EO missions, aimed at better answering the growing needs of EO data users. |
| P.M. | Lunch |
|
| P.M. |
Plenary 3 Missions under Development: RADARSAT+, WildFireSat, HAWC on AOS |
For decades, EO from space has shaped our understanding of oceans, ice, land environments and atmosphere. In this plenary session, we will present an overview of three EO missions that are currently in development at the CSA: RADARSAT+, WildFireSat and the High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) mission on the international NASA-led Atmosphere Observing System (AOS). These missions will equip the Government of Canada with critical satellite images that will be used for monitoring and protecting our planet. |
| P.M. | Health break |
|
| P.M. |
Plenary 4 Sharing Stories about Indigenous Wisdom, Earth Observation and Mapping |
Empowering Indigenous communities to create and use EO applications in support of decision making and management is of vital importance and is reflected in Canada's Strategy for Satellite Earth Observation. In this plenary, we want to explore pathways for developing connections between traditional knowledge, EO capabilities and topics of common interest related to land management, coastal-marine issues, data sovereignty, EO data access, education and training. We will rely on the panelists' and participants' cultural and relational methodology of storying collective experience to share EO approaches and the geospatial wisdom of Indigenous communities. The panel members will present multiple perspectives in brief overviews and engage EO Forum participants. The session will continue the dialogue and build relationships with respect to how EO can serve Indigenous communities and how space agencies can contribute in practical terms. |
| P.M. |
Closing remarks |
|
| P.M. |
Networking reception at CSA |
|
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. |
Registration & security |
|
| A.M. |
Breakout Session 1A Maximizing Data Utilization from Ongoing Canadian Atmospheric and Climate Missions |
In this session we will brainstorm and identify additional areas of data usefulness from Canadian atmospheric missions in operation, with a focus on (but not limited to) SCISAT, OSIRIS and MOPITT, to enhance programs and services to Canadians and encourage new scientific discoveries and applications. These missions have all celebrated multi-decade milestones and continue to provide free and open data that contribute to accurate global monitoring efforts, improved climate and air quality models, numerical weather prediction, ozone recovery, and the implementation of multilateral agreements. The proposed session objectives include engaging stakeholders in space-based atmospheric profile measurements of ozone-depleting substances, air pollutants and greenhouse gases in order to (1) demonstrate the ongoing value of these measurements; (2) identify new science and applications for these datasets; and (3) report on space-based monitoring of gases identified in domestic policies and legislation, and various agreements and conventions under the auspices of the United Nations. |
|
Breakout Session 1B Earth System Sciences: CSA Initiatives and Input from the Community for Future Planning |
The CSA Earth System Sciences (ESS) Program is currently looking at future planning for missions and initiatives. As the ESS covers a vast field including several spheres (biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and interaction with the atmosphere), we are seeking community input on Canadian scientific strengths and building community consensus on priorities, which should influence future roadmaps under the leadership of the new ESS Advisory Committee. |
|
|
Breakout Session 1C The Canadian Remote Sensing Society and its Initiative to Develop a Remote Sensing Professional Certification |
The Canadian Remote Sensing Society (CRSS) is a focal point for leadership and excellence to advance the remote sensing field. The CRSS has undertaken an initiative to develop a remote sensing professional certification. As part of this initiative, the CRSS is consulting stakeholders to determine what form such a certification would take. This panel, chaired by Christopher Hopkinson of the University of Lethbridge, includes representatives from industry, government and academia. The panellists will share their perspectives on the need for and process involved in obtaining a Remote Sensing Certification for Canada. |
|
| A.M. | Health break |
|
| A.M. / P.M. |
Breakout Session 2A Priority Candidate Missions: The Terrestrial Snow Mass Mission (TSMM) and the Arctic Observing Mission (AOM) |
Bringing together complementary and diverse perspectives from expert panelists to stimulate thinking and meaningful discussions about the impacts of a changing climate in northern latitudes and on water availability in Canada, this session offers a look-ahead and examination of the observation gaps and challenges that the Terrestrial Snow Mass Mission (TSMM) and Arctic Observing Mission (AOM) aim to overcome in the future. With a view to informing planning and engagement efforts, and generating solutions and mutually beneficial outcomes, panelists and participants will be given an opportunity to interactively explore how the federal government can accelerate and drive collaboration between contributors and benefactors so that the full potential of these missions is realized. |
|
Breakout Session 2B Future Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (MAL) in the Full EO Value Chain |
In this breakout session, we will delve into the pivotal role of AI and ML in revolutionizing EO practices. Discover how these intelligent technologies enhance data analysis, automate complex processes, and amplify our ability to glean actionable insights from the vast sea of EO data. This session is not just a glimpse into the future; it's a hands-on experience to comprehend how the fusion of AI and ML is reshaping the landscape of EO. Engage in discussions about recent advancements, share your perspectives and gain insights into overcoming challenges in this dynamic field. |
|
| P.M. | Lunch |
|
| P.M. |
Breakout Session 3A Access and Application of EO Data in Canada |
Stories and discussions with ordinary people who use EO images to produce scientific products that are useful to the public. |
|
Breakout Session 3B Satellite EO Downstream Activities: A Framework to Stimulate Capacity and Growth |
To effectively communicate and mobilize and engage downstream stakeholders in the comprehensive understanding, refinement and implementation of the Satellite EO Downstream framework, while fostering leadership and collaboration, and ensuring alignment towards achieving the framework goals. |
|
| P.M. | Health break |
|
| P.M. |
Breakout Session 4A Bridging the distance: EO in Canada's Arctic |
TBD |
|
Breakout Session 4B Earth Observation: Commercial Opportunities from a Canadian Context |
This panel presents the industry's perspective of EO in Canada, the opportunities that are being targeted and how the industry engages with the government on EO objectives. The dialogue that takes place through this panel discussion will dive deeper into the EO ecosystem that includes government and industry partners, and will discuss best practices, recommendations, and goals for future EO opportunities and collaboration among the ecosystem players. |
|
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. |
Registration & security |
|
| A.M. |
Plenary 1 Positioning Satellite EO for Biodiversity – Canadian Perspectives in Support of Global Biodiversity Goals and Initiatives |
For a broad EO audience, put into social context the various ways in which satellite EO can contribute to the biodiversity dialogue in alignment with global concerns and goals. Understand how EO solutions are being used across various stakeholder types, in complement with other data sources, to detect, measure, monitor and report on biodiversity-relevant elements. Discuss the relative usefulness of EO and its challenges and gaps to meet biodiversity-related objectives, and suggest potential next steps to further mainstream EO as a sustainable tool for biodiversity action. |
| A.M. | Health break |
|
| A.M. / P.M. |
Plenary 2 Showcasing Satellite EO Activities in Canada's University Research Labs |
The goal is to highlight satellite EO research across Canadian universities. This closing plenary will provide lab leaders the opportunity to showcase their teams, lab strengths and current research directions. |
| P.M. | Closing Indigenous ceremony |
|
Accommodation
Book your hotel room today. Here are some of the hotels near the CSA's John H. Chapman Space Centre.
- Escad Hotel Quartier DIX30
- Alt Hotel Quartier DIX30
- Courtyard Marriott Brossard
- Imperia Hotel & Suites Boucherville
- Hôtel Mortagne Boucherville
Important: There is often heavy traffic around the John H. Chapman Space Centre, particularly from 7:00 to 9:00 am and from 3:00 to 5:30 pm. Please plan accordingly.
What's included
Registration and snacks.
What's not included
Transportation between the hotel and the CSA, accommodation, and lunches (cafeteria on site).
Contact
Should you have any questions, please contact us at otinfo-eoinfo@asc-csa.gc.ca.