Ecology and systems engineering: creating a symbiotic relationship to build an ecological observatory - how 2 become 1

Science: the intellectual, practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

Engineering: branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures where Systems Engineering ensures that all aspects of the project or system are considered, and integrated into a whole.

NEON: the embodiment of melding the 2 into 1 to achieve an optimized, integrated data collection system across the terrestrial, aquatics and airborne realms.