Physical samples play a central role in a wide diversity of earth, environmental, and planetary sciences. Studies of these samples may inform critical decisions, laws and policies, and future science. Most of these samples are national assets due to the sources of funding for their collection or curation, and governments are recognizing the requirements to make these samples discoverable and available for ongoing research and reproducibility. Valuable samples are also collected and studied by the academic community, but essential infrastructure and policies for preservation and access of these samples are lagging behind to fulfill requirements for FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) samples. This session focuses on efforts responding to national and organizational policies that: increase sample visibility, use and tracking; promote recommended practices in sample management; and measure and demonstrate the value of physical samples to science and society.