Kick-Off Workshop for the TERENO:Connect Project

The annual TERENO Workshop, held on November 3 and 4, 2026, at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, focused on the Helmholtz Forum Earth and Environment project “TERENO:Connect - Synthesizing Environmental Observations for Societal Impact.” The workshop addressed the synthesis and communication of TERENO research findings and their relevance for policymakers, practitioners, and the general public. While participants explored key scientific findings and use cases based on TERENO data during a synthesis workshop on November 3 and the morning of November 4, the project kick-off took place on the afternoon of November 4. Fifteen researchers came together to discuss shared project objectives, priorities, and next steps. The participating institutions included the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ).

The TERrestrial ENvironmental Observatories (TERENO) network operates four observatories across Germany since 2008, monitoring long-term changes in environmental and climate processes. The extensive time series provide an important scientific basis for understanding changes in water resources, soils, the atmosphere, and ecosystems. The TERENO:Connect project aims to improve the visibility and accessibility of this data and strengthen its use in research, policy, and practice. In particular, the project seeks to demonstrate the value of long-term environmental observations for societal challenges such as climate adaptation, water management, and soil protection.

On November 3 and the morning of November 4, the programme featured scientific discussions on the value of long-term environmental time series. Alongside a plenary session and a poster session, the programme included thematic sessions on data management and data infrastructure, long-term in-situ monitoring, remote sensing, and instrumentation and field methods. A final session brought findings from the parallel sessions together.

The TERENO:Connect project kick-off began with an introduction of the project objectives and planned outcomes. Discussions focused on jointly identifying key scientific findings and use cases based on TERENO data, as well as coordinating the planned project activities. Particular attention was given to how research findings could be communicated in ways tailored to different target audiences and made more accessible for policy- and decision-making.

Participants developed a joint timeline and discussed planned measures to improve data accessibility, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and increase TERENO's visibility among the public and scientific community. A key focus was the project’s different target groups and their specific needs. For government agencies as well as regional and local stakeholders, discussions focused on developing practical use cases. For the scientific community, participants explored ways to improve access to TERENO data. Discussions concerning the media and general public focused on communicating research findings through infographics and social media. The session concluded with assigning responsibilities to translate the group’s ideas into practice.

Planned activities include developing information materials and interactive data visualizations, as well as providing practical use cases and guidance on accessing and using TERENO data. Stakeholder workshops and user forums will be organized to strengthen dialogue with government agencies, policymakers, and practitioners. Agreed next steps include further developing the planned activities, conducting a joint stakeholder mapping exercise, and establishing regular monthly project meetings alongside additional meetings to coordinate specific activities.