Diane E. Wickland is a distinguished scientist with a specialization in botany, who has carved a notable career at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Over the years, Wickland has made significant contributions to the field of Earth science, particularly in the domain of remote sensing, leveraging her botanical expertise to enhance our understanding of Earth's ecosystems and their interactions with the atmosphere. Throughout her tenure at NASA, Wickland has been a pivotal figure in several high-profile missions and research initiatives. Her involvement has been instrumental in the success of projects such as the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPOESS Preparatory Project), which was designed to develop and launch the next-generation weather and climate monitoring satellites. Wickland's work also extended to the Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA), a multinational research initiative aimed at understanding the climatological, ecological, and biogeochemical systems of the Amazon in the context of land-use change and other environmental pressures. Her insights into plant biology and ecosystems have been invaluable in interpreting remote sensing data and applying it to such large-scale environmental studies. Moreover, her contributions to the Earth Observing System (EOS), a program central to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, underscore her commitment to advancing the technology and methodologies used in Earth observation. The EOS has been critical in providing long-term, global observations of the land surface, biosphere, solid Earth, atmosphere, and oceans. Wickland's excellence in her field has been recognized through numerous awards and citations, reflecting her dedication and impact on environmental research. Her extensive publication record further attests to her active role in disseminating knowledge and fostering scientific understanding within the Earth science community.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Dr. Diane Wickland, manager of NASA’s Terrestrial Ecology Program, provides a comprehensive overview of her career trajectory, her contributions to the field of ecology, and the evolution of Earth System Science. Dr. Wickland shares her initial fascination with plant life and her early research on the effects of heavy metal stress on plants. She then delves into her transition to remote sensing research, underscoring the transformative impact of remote sensing technology on the study of ecosystems. This includes the advent of new tools and capabilities that have significantly advanced the field. Dr. Wickland reflects on the progression of Earth System Science, emphasizing the role of data collection enhancements and computer modeling in shaping the discipline. She recounts the early stages of the Earth System Science program, noting the critical importance of engaging a broad scientific community and maintaining a clear scientific focus. The interview also touches on the increasing awareness of environmental changes and how this has influenced the direction of the program. Challenges faced by NASA's Earth System Science program are discussed, including budgetary limitations, political scrutiny, and the complexities of international partnerships and data sharing. Despite these hurdles, the program is credited with making substantial progress in documenting planetary changes and advancing scientific knowledge. Dr. Wickland expresses some regret over missed opportunities, particularly in establishing a more robust global observing system for monitoring the Earth system. Looking at the interagency dynamics and the political landscape, Dr. Wickland speaks to the need for better integration of U.S. efforts in global change science and the importance of making informed decisions regarding observational capacity and climate change. She also outlines the anticipated direction of the program in the near future. Finally, Dr. Wickland addresses the funding challenges and shifting priorities within Earth System Science, the value of field campaigns, and the vital role of engaging young scientists. She offers a retrospective on the past two decades of Earth System Science and the internal changes at NASA during her tenure.