Large conferences leave a large environmental footprint – with air travel, accommodations, and production of single-use items all generating substantial carbon emissions and impacts on surrounding wildlife and habitats. As a way of offsetting a portion of the environmental costs of its Annual Meeting, ESA contributes $5 for each meeting registrant, which the Society then donates to a local project…

By Carmen Cid, Chair, ESA Diversity Committee Diverse environmental perspectives that integrate social and ecological knowledge are needed to manage today’s complex environmental problems for a sustainable future. This calls for relevant programs and sustained resources to build ESA’s capacity to strengthen Equity and Excellence in Ecology. How Is ESA Contributing to That Goal? We are transforming the Society by…

ESA voices its strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and support for its members. The Supreme Court ruling today reversed decades of progress under affirmative action by severely limiting the use of race in college admissions. The ruling is misguided, harms society and affects historically excluded students’ abilities to achieve and flourish within educational institutions. Ecology is a field…

by ESA President Sharon Collinge As current president of ESA, I was pleased to be able to travel to Washington, DC, to chair the most recent ESA Governing Board meeting, May 16-17. The meeting was hybrid, with five board members meeting in person with the executive director and senior staff in DC, and the other six members participating virtually. The…

The Ecological Society of America (ESA), representing 8,000 research ecologists and environmental scientists, is greatly concerned about the unintended consequences to nature and human health because of the United States Supreme Court decision in the Sackett v. EPA case that excludes the majority of wetlands from protection under the Clean Water Act. The ruling ignores the best available science and…

In this issue: Supreme Court dramatically shrinks Clean Water Act’s reach Biden administration must now rework recent Clean Water Act regulations.   Join ESAL and ESA for a workshop on local policy and community engagement This June 8 workshop will provide the resources to help scientists and engineers bridge the gap between science and policy   Webinar Recording Available: Protecting…

In April 2023, 15 ESA members and graduate students in ecology participated in the first in-person Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) event since 2019. In this post, Sarah Rothman (University of Maryland) reflects on her experience participating in the program. It was eye-opening to delve into the world of science policy and funding that makes my research possible. I’ve always…

In this issue: Apply for a Badge to Attend COP28 as an Observer via ESA COP28 will take place Nov. 30 – Dec. 12 in Dubai. Congress House Science Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Republican colleagues express concerns that the Energy Department deprioritizing basic research. Executive Branch Biden administration issues proposed rule to limit emissions from power plants. Courts Supreme…

ESA is accepting expressions of interest from members to receive an ESA “observer status” badge to attend the Conference of Parties (COP) 27 Climate Change Conference, which will take place from Nov 30 – Dec. 12 at the Expo City, Dubai, UAE. Applications are due June 9, 2023. ESA may be able to issue a limited number of “observer status”…

In this issue: ESA Graduate Student Policy Award Recipients Visit Capitol Hill Fifteen ESA members and graduate students visit Congressional offices for the first in-person Graduate Student Policy Award event since 2019. ESA & ESAL Webinar “Protecting Waterways for Healthy Communities and Ecosystems” – Monday, May 8 at 2:00 pm Join ESAL and ESA to learn how science and policy…

In this issue: ESA & ESAL Webinar “Protecting Waterways for Healthy Communities and Ecosystems” – Monday, May 8 at 2:00 pm Join ESAL and ESA to learn how science and policy intersect to protect waterways, hear from local advocates for ecologically sound practices, and discuss the potential impact of an ongoing Supreme Court Case. Congress President Joe Biden vetoes measure…

In this issue: ESA Responds to the National Nature Assessment Request for Information Comments are the beginning of a multi-year process of engagement between the ecological community, OSTP and potential users of the National Nature Assessment Call for Nominations for 2023 ESA Regional Policy Award ESA seeks nominations for its annual Regional Policy Award to recognize a local or regional…