{"id":436,"date":"2016-08-04T16:35:15","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T16:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4DEE\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2025-11-05T20:39:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T20:39:10","slug":"welcome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Welcome<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"297\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2019\/06\/4DEE-LOGO-ppt-closed-version-2-297x300.png\" alt=\"A triangle inside a circle represents the three themes of the 4DEE framework.\" class=\"wp-image-356 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2019\/06\/4DEE-LOGO-ppt-closed-version-2-297x300.png 297w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2019\/06\/4DEE-LOGO-ppt-closed-version-2.png 470w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 297px) 100vw, 297px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Overview<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework Initiative has its roots in 30 years of debate among ecologists and ESA leaders calling for a framework for eco-literacy that would provide basic comprehension of necessary ecological terminology and concepts to improve informed public policy and other ecological problem-solving decisions. Read more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/framework\/#gsc.tab=0\">4DEE Framework.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Building the 4DEE community\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the help of a $499,700 award from the National Science Foundation to support ESA\u2019s new research coordination network,\u00a0 the Transforming Ecology Education to 4D is offering faculty mentoring networks to develop teaching resources and opportunities to reach new audiences!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center .btn .btn-primary wp-block-paragraph\"><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/tee-rcn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Learn More!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2022\/02\/nsf-logo2-298x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1580 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2022\/02\/nsf-logo2-298x300.png 298w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2022\/02\/nsf-logo2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2022\/02\/nsf-logo2-300x302.png 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2022\/02\/nsf-logo2.png 692w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 298px) 100vw, 298px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(360deg,rgba(7,146,227,0.17) 0%,rgb(255,255,255) 100%)\">Looking for guidance to get your courses in four dimensions? <br>Here\u2019s a brochure on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2025\/08\/2025-4DEE-Transforming-Majors-Brochure-2.pdf\" data-type=\"attachment\" data-id=\"3638\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Transforming Ecology Courses to 4D<\/a>!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is 4DEE?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"826\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/Shaped-Picture.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1101 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/Shaped-Picture.jpg 826w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/Shaped-Picture-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/Shaped-Picture-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The four dimensions of the framework collectively contain 21 general topics (termed \u201c<em>elements<\/em>\u201d).\u00a0 The dimension of\u00a0<strong><em>Core Ecological Concepts<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0follows the widely recognized hierarchy of ecology presented in most ecology textbooks, including individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, biomes and biosphere.\u00a0\u00a0<strong><em>Ecology Practices<\/em><\/strong> include approaches and methods used in doing ecology, e.g. natural history, fieldwork, quantitative reasoning, computational thinking, designing and critiquing investigations, and collaboration.\u00a0<em><strong>Human-Environment<\/strong> <strong>Interactions <\/strong><\/em>include dependence on the environment,\u00a0human-accelerated environmental change, how humans can use ecological systems to shape and manage resources\/ecosystems\/the environment, ethical dimensions and communicating and applying ecology.\u00a0\u00a0<strong><em>Cross-Cutting Themes<\/em><\/strong> include structure &amp; function, pathways &amp; transformations of matter and energy, systems, and spatial &amp; temporal scales and processes (including evolution). Integration across the dimensions is a hallmark of the framework. The ultimate goal is for the four dimensions to be taught as integrated units, courses, and curricula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2016\/08\/palmyra-atol-wildlife-refuge-1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-57 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2016\/08\/palmyra-atol-wildlife-refuge-1024.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2016\/08\/palmyra-atol-wildlife-refuge-1024-300x52.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2016\/08\/palmyra-atol-wildlife-refuge-1024-1024x178.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2016\/08\/palmyra-atol-wildlife-refuge-1024-768x134.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ESA\u2019s 4DEE Framework is a dynamic set of ideas that must be revisited and revised periodically.\u00a0 It is not a mandate, but rather provides a set of recommendations for ecology curricula. The framework can be used both as a benchmark for instructors currently teaching undergraduate General Ecology and as a guide for instructors developing new courses. We look forward to learning with the community of ecology educators about how the framework is useful and brought to life through a diversity of approaches to teaching and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4DEE Framework endorsed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-67eca248 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"263\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/Picture2-263x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1009 img-fluid\" style=\"width:201px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/Picture2-263x300.png 263w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/Picture2-300x342.png 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/Picture2.png 632w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 263px) 100vw, 263px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left .btn .btn-primary wp-block-paragraph\">On November 14, 2018, the Governing Board of the Ecological Society of America voted unanimously to endorse the 4DEE framework!<br><br><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/R2dzAn5KS6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read the press release<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px;width:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sign Up to Learn More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are interested in learning more about <a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/tee-rcn\/\">Transforming Ecology Education to 4D or other 4DEE-related<\/a>\u00a0activities please use the sign-up form below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center .btn .btn-primary wp-block-paragraph\"><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/sign-up-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sign-UP Here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome Building the 4DEE community\u00a0 With the help of a $499,700 award from the National Science Foundation to support ESA\u2019s new research coordination network,\u00a0 the Transforming Ecology Education to 4D is offering faculty mentoring networks to develop teaching resources and opportunities to reach new audiences! Learn More! Looking for guidance to get your courses in four dimensions? Here\u2019s a brochure&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":28,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-436","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=436"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/436\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4497,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/436\/revisions\/4497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}