Tethys Summit 2025: A Successful Inaugural Event

What an incredible week it’s been! The inaugural Tethys Summit concluded last week, and we’re still elated by the connections made, innovations shared, and collaborative spirit that filled The Westshore Grand over those two memorable days in Tampa, Florida.

Bringing Our Community Together

From Sunday evening’s welcome reception through Tuesday’s award banquet, Tethys Summit 2025 exceeded our expectations in bringing together the diverse voices that make up our community. We welcomed researchers, educators, developers, students, and practitioners from universities, government agencies, NGOs, and organizations worldwide, all united by a shared passion for open-source solutions to environmental challenges.

The energy was palpable from the very first sessions. Whether attendees were longtime contributors to the Tethys Platform and GEOGLOWS or newcomers discovering these tools for the first time, everyone found opportunities to learn, share, and connect with others working at the intersection of technology and Earth science.

Highlights

The “State of” talks on Monday morning set a strong foundation, with Nathan Swain, Michael Souffront, and Katherine Moore Powell providing essential context on where we’ve been and where we’re heading. The keynote presentations from Angelica Gutierrez, Kiran Shakya, and Dan Ames offered inspiring perspectives on the global impact of our platforms and the importance of international collaboration. 

Dr. Gutierrez in particular reiterates the phrase “love the problem, not the solution” reminding us to not become so enamored with our solutions and tools that we forget why we made them to begin with. She then gave exemplary stories of problems that were truly taken care of because of GEOGLOWS and Tethys Platform.

Our plenary sessions showcased the remarkable breadth of applications and research conducted across the geosciences. These presentations demonstrated not just technical innovation, but real-world impact across diverse geographical regions and environmental challenges.

The hands-on workshops were an engaging part of the summit. Attendees enjoyed sessions like Tethys Dash with Corey Krewson, which showcased advanced visualization capabilities, and the Getting Started with Tethys Platform sessions led by Jianting Shi and Tasfia Mahjarin, which provided essential foundations for newcomers. The GEOGLOWS workshops with Jorge Sanchez-Lozano and Michael Souffront drew significant interest from those eager to integrate global water forecasting data, while Nathan Swain’s sessions on contributing to Tethys Core empowered participants to become active contributors to the platform’s development. Dan Ames’ presentations on CIROH NWM Data Services and Tools, and Shawn Crawley’s exploration of Tethys Component Apps (ReactPy) rounded out the practical learning opportunities that participants valued.

Learning and Growth

Beyond the formal presentations, the hands-on workshops and development sessions created spaces for practical learning and skill building. Watching participants collaborate during the app contest development sessions embodied everything we hope to achieve through these gatherings, community members supporting each other, sharing expertise, and working together to create solutions that matter.

The international perspectives shared throughout the summit reminded us of the global reach and relevance of open-source environmental tools. From ICIMOD’s work in the Himalayas to flood management initiatives in West Africa, we saw how these platforms are addressing challenges across diverse contexts and scales.

App Contest Recognition

The app contest showcased the incredible creativity and innovation within our community, allowing developers to demonstrate the true potential of the Tethys Platform. We received several outstanding entries that ranged from projects that had been in development for months to ambitious applications started during the summit itself. The variety and quality of submissions made judging both challenging and inspiring.

After careful deliberation by our panel of expert judges, we’re proud to announce the winners:

1st Place:

• “Wild Atlas” by Karley & Tanner Frandsen

2nd Place:

• “Earthquake Explorer” by Mamjila Singh

3rd Place:

• “Groundwater Plug-in” by Henok Teklu

4th Place:

• “Hydro Event Detector” by Gonzalo Alberto Forero Buitrago

Each of these applications represents the innovation and problem-solving spirit that drives our community forward. Congratulations to all participants for their creativity and dedication!

Gratitude and Recognition

This summit wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our speakers, who generously shared their expertise and insights. From technical deep-dives to inspiring keynotes, every presentation contributed to the rich learning environment we experienced.

Our attendees brought energy, curiosity, and collaborative spirit that made every session more valuable. The questions asked, connections made, and ideas exchanged during breaks and meals were just as important as the formal program content.

Special thanks go to the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors who worked behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly. The National Science Foundation’s support through POSE Phase II award #2303756 made it possible to provide travel grants that ensured broader participation in our community gathering.

The Westshore Grand provided an excellent venue that facilitated both formal sessions and informal networking, while Tampa’s accessibility and attractions made the overall experience enjoyable for participants who extended their stays.

Looking Forward

As we reflect on the success of this inaugural summit, we’re already thinking about how to build on this momentum. The connections made, collaborations initiated, and innovations shared during these two days will continue to generate value for our community long after the event has ended.

The presentations, discussions, and networking sessions reinforced our belief in the power of open-source collaboration to address environmental challenges. From local watersheds to global water sustainability, from educational applications to international policy support, the work showcased at Tethys Summit 2025 demonstrates the real-world impact of community-driven innovation.

Thank You

To everyone who participated in Tethys Summit 2025, whether as speakers, attendees, organizers, or supporters, thank you for making this inaugural event such a meaningful success. Your contributions, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit embodied everything the Tethys Geoscience Foundation stands for.

The conversations started in Tampa will continue in forums, development sessions, and future collaborations. This summit was just the beginning of what we hope will become an annual tradition that continues to strengthen our community and advance open-source innovation in Earth science.

Until we meet again, keep building, sharing, and innovating!