LNO review by NSF

A panel of eight experts drawn from various institutions and five from the National Science Foundation (NSF) reviewed the LTER Network Office and its proposal for renewal. The review took place September 3-5, 2008 at the University of New Mexico, where LNO is located.
The review panel was comprised of eight experts drawn from various institutions and five from the National Science Foundation (NSF).  The team also talked formally and informally with University of New Mexico officials, including President David J. Schmidly and other senior university officials.
The LNO provides a variety of services to the LTER Network under a six-year Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF). These services include supporting and facilitating LTER meetings, including the All Scientists Meetings, helping sites implement metadata standards, providing leadership in the development of the LTER Network Information System, acquiring and maintaining an archive of remotely-sensed images for LTER sites, and disseminating information about LTER activities and achievements.
Under the Agreement, LNO undergoes a full review of its renewal proposal every six years and a mid-term review every three years. The last full review was in 2003.
Becasue of very favorable reviews from the panel, with recommendations for full funding, the new Cooperative Agreement began in March, 2009. LNO staff submitted the proposal to renew the Cooperative Agreement to NSF last spring.
Many of the activities and services of the LNO will continue under the new Cooperative Agreement, but additions and modifications of some activities have been proposed to address the new Network goals as envisaged in the Decadal Plan for LTER (http://www.lternet.edu/decadalplan/), and to take advantage of opportunities for partnerships with emerging networks, new technological approaches, and to address changing site needs.