NEON, Inc. has successfully completed a National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) Final Design Review (FDR) of the plans for the design and execution of the NEON project, bringing the first-ever continental ecological observatory one big step closer to reality.  The final design review is a major planning milestone in the design and execution of the NEON project.  

NEON plans to build 62 sites across the U.S. by 2016 that will provide information about the impacts of climate change, land use change and invasive species on natural resources and biodiversity.   NEON will be the first observatory of its kind to collect data that will help scientists forecast ecological change at continental scales over multiple decades. 

The review panel evaluated project management strategies and budgets for construction and operation of the NEON observatory.

"Developing an effort of this magnitude, within NSF's rigorous culture of excellence, requires an outstanding concept," said David Schimel, CEO of NEON.  "Successful completion of this review means that NEON has the focus, scientific credibility and overall excellence required of a top-notch scientific facility."

NEON will utilize cutting-edge technology to gather and synthesize data from each of its 62 sites, as well as data from airborne observations, experiments, and land use studies.  These data and information products will be made available in near real-time to scientists, educators, students, decision makers, and the public. 

A final design review is one of a series of project design reviews that takes place during the design and development phase of a project receiving funding from the NSF's Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account.   During each review, NEON teams presented detailed project scope, budgets, designs, risks, and project management strategies for construction and operations of the NEON project to a panel of expert reviewers convened by the NSF.

"Our success in this review is a major leap forward in realizing a project that will provide world-class data for ecological science and education.  I am truly proud of the NEON team's achievement and am eager to continue our project development in the coming year," said NEON Project Manager Tony Beasley.  

With the successful completion of FDR, the NEON project will now submit the request for construction of its research facility to the NSF.