Power to the people: Getting models and model modules into the hands of non-modelers

Models can be powerful tools to describe the natural world and anticipate changes in climate and the terrestrial biosphere.  Still, models are far from perfect and must undergo a continual process of refinement.  Unfortunately, researchers with key data and knowledge needed for model development often do not participate in these efforts either because they do not know how or because they find the process too onerous.  Here, we explore how model modules can enable and inspire traditionally field-based scientists to flex their modelling muscles and shorten the feedback loop between empirical breakthroughs and model improvements.