VIntroduction
As environmental issues grow increasingly global and complex, international collaboration in space technologies and Earth observations becomes essential. By combining NASA’s technological expertise with the regional knowledge of North African organizations, scientific exchange is important to enhance the observation and monitoring of land cover/land use changes (LCLUC), agricultural management, disaster management, and sustainable development.
This workshop is led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States and is focused on North Africa, including Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. The proposed workshop aims to address the unique environmental challenges faced by the region, including rapid land-use/cover changes, desertification, water scarcity, land degradation, and climate change. Earth Observation (EO) technologies are essential for effective environmental monitoring, natural resource management, and disaster risk reduction, offering valuable insights through satellite data. The region’s susceptibility to land degradation and disasters, like droughts, fires, desert storms, and floods, highlights the need for improved early warning systems and preparedness. Indeed, EO tools can aid in monitoring and help in planning activities in multiple thematic areas including agricultural land sustainability, water resources, and biodiversity.
By bringing together U.S.-based and North African scientists, the workshop aims to foster collaboration, enable the sharing of knowledge and tools, and lay the foundation for joint projects with US-funded scientists as well as capacity-enhancement initiatives to understand further the Earth system processes. Many organizations in the region have varying levels of access to EO data. This workshop will help identify local capacities to build collaborative projects involving US researchers and regional researchers to tackle environmental problems better and lead to better decision-making. With NASA’s expertise in remote sensing, the workshop will focus on promoting research, applications, and capacity enhancement with open data sharing and addressing the need for sustainable development in North African countries. This collaborative effort will provide a platform for the North African scientific community to engage in scientific exchanges with the U.S., leveraging EO technologies to meet common environmental challenges.
2-Day Virtual Workshop
The Workshop on Earth Observations for Sustainable Development aims to establish a strong foundation for long-term collaboration between NASA and North African organizations. The workshop will promote a mutual understanding of capabilities and expertise in space technologies, remote sensing, and Earth Observations, accelerating the development of innovative solutions to environmental challenges, particularly those specific to the North African environment.
Presentations from NASA-funded researchers and North African institutions will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including the latest developments in satellite remote sensing technologies and their applications. Follow-up discussions will explore areas for collaboration across various fields, focusing on land degradation, agricultural monitoring, vegetation fires, disaster management, and environmental stewardship.
Virtual Workshop Dates and Time
-Jan 28-29th, 2025; 8:15 am1:00 pm EST till 1:00pm EST on both days
Meeting Links (note that Day-1 and Day-2 Zoom meeting links are different)
January 28th (Tuesday) - Day 1 Meeting: Focus on US Programmatic Presentations, and presentations on Egypt and Morocco
https://umd.zoom.us/j/96654998274?pwd=w5Nvzey1Ra3VCj5u8GkdUSZaVibccn.1
Meeting ID: 966 5499 8274
Passcode: 1234
January 29th (Wednesday) - Day 2 Meeting: Focus on US Programmatic Presentations, and presentations on Tunisia and Algeria
https://umd.zoom.us/j/91740609193?pwd=evNw9W5k49pUTkebf1zWprkWS80pHi.1
Meeting ID: 917 4060 9193
Passcode: 1234
Agenda (to be posted soon)
Expected Outputs
This workshop is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of current capabilities and explore pathways for scientific collaboration. The connections made and the knowledge shared through this workshop are expected to lead to meaningful scientific exchanges in Earth sciences and their applications for societal benefits.
Workshop Steering Committee
- Krishna Vadrevu, NASA LCLUC Program, NASA MSFC; krishna.p.vadrevu@nasa.gov;
- Garik Gutman, NASA LCLUC Program, NASA HQ; ggutman@nasa.gov
- Sid Boukabara, NASA HQ; sid.a.boukabara@nasa.gov
Participants
Abdellatif Khattabi, Royal Institue of Strategic Studies, Rabat, Morocco
Amy Chen, GLOBE Program, NASA HQ, USA
Anas Laamouri, Forest Service, Azilal, Morocco
Balabid Nasreddine, Beihang University, Algeria
Chris Justice, University of Maryland, College Park, USA
Dave Skole, Michigan State University, USA
Dhouha Ouerfelli (Institut national agronomique de Tunisie (INAT) | INAT, Tunisia
Djilali Tassalit (DGRSDT/MHESR), Algeria
Elinor Benami, Virginia Tech, USA
Hicham Mharzi Alaoui, National Forestry Agency, Rabat, Morocco
Imane Sebari, School of Geomatics and Surveying Engineering, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
Insaf Mekki, Institut National de Recherche en Génie Rural Eaux et Forêts: Ariana, Tunisia
Jon Padgham, START, USA
Karen Chen. University of Washington, USA
Karoui Sofiane, Algerian Space Agency (ASAL), Algeria
Kessar Cherif (Algerian Space Agency), Algeria
Khatima Ait Ouadia (DGRSDT/MHESR), Algeria
Lahouri Bounoua, NASA GSFC, USA
Lahssini Said, National School of Forestry Engineering, Salé, Morocco
Lansari, A. (Algerian Space Agency), Algeria
Majdouline Belhouari, Forest Engineer, Service of Erosion and land degradation, Morocco
Marouane Temimi (National Engineering School of Tunis, Tunisia
Meryem Qacami University of Laval, Canada
Moha El Ayachi, Graduate Studies in Geomatic Sciences and Surveying Engineering. Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
Mohamed Bouhicha (MESRS, Algeria), Algeria
Mohamed Loucif Seiad (DGRSDT/MHESR), Algeria
Mohamed Sultan, Western Michigan University, USA
Mohammed Yacoubi Khebiza , Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco
Mohsen Nabil, National Authority For Remote Sensing & Space Sciences (NARSS), Egypt.
Molly Brown, University of Maryland College Park, USA
Mounia Achbah, Forest engineer, Head of the Department of Risk and audit, Morocco
Mustapha Mimouni, Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), Tunisia
Nabil Khatra, Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), Tunisia
Noura Bakr, Soils and Water Use Department, National Research Center, Egypt
Oumayma Sadgui, National Parc of Ifrane, Morocco
Boulerbah Souissi, (USTHB/MHESR), Algeria
Djamel Mimouni (USTHB/MHESR), Algeria
Fatma Halouane (DGRSDT/MHESR, Algeria
Rachid Moussadek, ICARDA, Rabat, Morocco
Rachid Mrabet, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Rabat, Morocco
Randy Wynne, Virginia Tech, USA
Said Moukrim, University Mohamed V, Rabat, Morocco
Sanaa Fadil, School of Geomatics and Surveying Engineering (Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine), Rabat, Morocco
Sonia Abbasi, Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), Tunisia
Taieb Boumeaza, University Hassan II, Mohamedia, Morocco
Valerie Thomas, Virginia Tech, USA
Walid Ouaret, University of Maryland College Park, USA
More participants/speakers to be added soon