Open Green Genomes (OGG) is a Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute community science program initiative working to improve the phylogenetic representation of reference genome sequence assemblies and annotations across land plants. With contributions from more than 100 scientists around the world, OGG aims to generate land plant genome sequences to enable comprehensive analyses of evolutionary changes in gene content, regulatory networks and metabolic pathways influencing plant growth, responses to environmental stress, and production of valuable plant products. The resulting comparative framework will drive translation of genome science into predictive understanding and inform engineering of efficient production of plant-based products for the growing bioeconomy. The talk will provide a progress report for the initiative, highlighting how new genomes for several land plant species are improving our understanding of the evolution of genome content and structure, as well as gene function.