This session will present the latest developments and current plans for the NASA Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) Designated Observable, a combined imaging spectroscopy (IS) and thermal infrared (TIR) mission for ecosystem and biodiversity science. Key SBG personnel and scientists will provide a general overview of the mission, as well as detailed discussions of mission design, core research foci, pathfinder activities, and other ongoing pre-deployment research that is helping to guide mission requirements. Select, 5-minute “lightning” presentations will also highlight key areas in which SBG is expected to contribute to the improved measurement and modeling of global ecosystems as well as biodiversity monitoring. There will also be time for open Question and Answer (Q&A) period with the community. This session will be of interest to researchers from around the world in the Earth science, aquatic, and terrestrial ecological communities who are interested in linking their research to remotely sensed information. Attendees can also expect to learn more about the proposed mission concept, the next major mission review steps and current mission schedule.