Mission
Planet Diatom is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the scientific, educational, and outreach activities of diatoms.org and advancing public understanding of diatom biodiversity, ecology, and global impact.
Our mission is to make diatom science equitable, collaborative, and sustainable by providing reliable, image based taxonomic information and connecting a global community of scientists, students, and the public. Through shared knowledge and digital innovation, we empower people to explore, identify, and understand the diversity of diatoms and their essential role in aquatic environments and ecosystems.
Substantial portions of diatom diversity and ecological function remain undocumented. Taxonomic research, species descriptions, and the maintenance of high-quality identification resources are chronically underfunded, and governmental agencies generally do not prioritize support for taxonomy or foundational ecological work. This lack of stable funding has led to significant gaps in scientific knowledge, limited training opportunities, and insufficient infrastructure for managing diatom biodiversity data.
Planet Diatom, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 41-2488763), was established to address these unmet needs. The organization’s purpose is to raise, manage, and distribute financial support for activities that advance diatom taxonomy, ecology, and biodiversity documentation, including the ongoing development and maintenance of the diatoms.org project. These activities provide public benefit by improving environmental monitoring accuracy, supporting scientific research and education, and enhancing society’s ability to discover, protect, and restore aquatic ecosystems.