In This Issue: Ecologist Goes to Capitol Hill and Testifies about Climate Change in National Parks A Q&A with ESA member Dr. Patrick Gonzalez who recently served as a witness at a House Natural Resources climate hearing. Congress Ends February with Six Climate Hearings Hearings examine funding for climate science, carbon capture and more. Congress Republicans announce member of the…

In This Issue: ESA Selects Graduate Student Policy Award Winners Ten graduate students will travel to Washington, DC to receive policy and communication training and meet with lawmakers. Democrats Introduce the “Green New Deal” in House and Senate A sweeping and aspirational resolution could be a major element of debate heading into 2020 presidential season. Congress Passes Bills Funding Federal…

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is honored to announce this year’s Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) recipients. This award provides graduate students with the opportunity to receive policy and communication training in Washington, D.C. before they meet lawmakers. Ten students were selected for this year’s award: Kristina J. Bartowitz (University of Idaho), Vanessa Constant (Oregon State University),…

Blogpost from ESA President Laura Huenneke February 5, 2019 Remarkably, the Ecological Society of America is more than a century old – but the relationship between scientific societies and their members have changed greatly in that time. Originally, societies existed primarily to offer their members journal subscriptions, publishing opportunities, and meetings for in-person networking. What does ESA furnish its members…

From ESA Executive Director Catherine O’Riordan, In December, Frontiers in Ecology and Environment Editor In Chief Sue Silver and I traveled to Birmingham, UK, to represent ESA at the British Ecological Society (BES) 2018 annual meeting. In addition to having complementary missions, BES and ESA have a long-standing relationship – BES will exhibit at ESA annual meetings, and its members regularly…

In This Issue: The Shutdown: Consequences for Science and Ecology Agency activity during the shutdown compromised on-going science and hampered public information and participation. Opportunity to sign scientists’ letter about ANWR Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Federal Government Reopens, Funded Through Feb 15 Federal scientists and collaborators resume work. Congress House and Senate Committees announced new members, subcommittee leaders. Executive Branch…

Posted January 25, 2019 ESA thanks those who offered assistance to their colleagues during the partial federal government shutdown. Your spirit of generosity buoyed those affected in tangible and intangible ways. On Dec. 21, appropriations bills expired for some agencies within the federal government resulting in a 35-day partial government shutdown. On Friday, Jan. 25, congressional leaders announced an agreement…

In This Issue: Federal Government Shutdown Continues, Impacts to Science Deepen Current shutdown is now the longest in US history. ESA is collecting offers of assistance for affected scientists. Trump Nominates Andrew Wheeler to Lead the Environmental Protection Agency The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holds confirmation hearing for Wheeler. Congress Committees announce new leadership for the 116th Congress….

Participate in the 4DEE webinar on January 24, 2019, at 2pm! Register here to receive a link to the webinar. By Kenneth Klemow, Alan Berkowitz, Kim Bjorgo-Thorne, Carmen Cid, Jennifer Doherty, Diane Ebert-May, George Middendorf, Bob Pohlad, and Pamela Templer   January 14, 2019   “…ecological issues in this country are intensifying, and many overwhelmingly important ecological problems are now…

The Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award ESA is now accepting applications for its 2019 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award. Offered each year, this award gives graduate students an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC for science policy training with opportunities to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Visit the ESA website for more information and details on application…

** ESA is collecting updates and publishing them on this blogpost about how the federal government shutdown is affecting the ecological and biological sciences. We request that you send us short posts and we will also request a photo if one is available.  ESA can publish your contribution anonymously or give you attribution. Please consider whether using your personal or…

A letter from Rich Pouyat, ESA president 2017-2018    As ESA Past President, part of my role is to ensure the continuity of governance in the Society, which means stewarding the election process as chair of the Nominations Committee. While part of the committee’s work is to identify promising candidates for roles in ESA’s volunteer leadership, we cannot be aware…