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National Field Trips

The Henry L. Gholz SEEDS National Field Trips

The SEEDS program hosts National Field Trips to bring undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and interest to explore the science of ecology. We sponsor diverse students currently enrolled in undergraduate studies at a US institution to travel to different research stations to engage with scientists and professional with hand on learning experiences and workshops to discuss career development and the future of our science field. Diverse People for a Diverse Science!

Read more about our past SEEDS Field Trips.

SEEDS National Field Trip to the

University of Colorado, Mountain Research Station!

September 9-14th, 2025

2024 SEEDS Field Trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Join the SEEDS Program at another amazing Field Trip hosted with the Black Ecologist Section of the Ecological Society of America!

Located at 2900 m (9500 feet) in the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies, the Mountain Research Station is an interdisciplinary research facility of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, devoted to advancement of study of mountain ecosystems.  The stations mission is to facilitate research and education to better understand the unique patterns and processes of biotic and physical systems in mountains, and how environmental changes may influence these patterns and processes.

Research is performed by investigators from numerous organizations including the National Science Foundation, sponsored programs such as the Niwot Ridge Long-Term Ecological Research Program, the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Program, the National Ecological Observatory Network, and multiple individual investigators. The Mountain Research Station oversees the Mountain Climate Program, established in 1952, established to provide long-term climate data from the montane, subalpine, and alpine zones of the Colorado Front Range.

 

Eligibility

  • Must be a current undergraduate student enrolled in an Associates or Bachelors degree at a college/university within the United States of America
  • Preference is given to first and second year, and those that have NOT had opportunities to engage in ecology research or field experience.
  • This opportunity is open to ALL students in the United States of America.

Selection Criteria

SEEDS looks for future leaders within the science of ecology, a strong candidate must demonstrate:

  • A sincere interest in exploring a career in ecology related fields.
  • The potential to contribute to the ecology program at their home institution and in their communities.
  • The capacity to support the mission of SEEDS – to stimulate and nurture the interest of students to participate and be leaders in ecology
  • A strong statement of interest essay.
  • Students applying from SEEDS Chapters are strongly encouraged. To check the status of your SEEDS Chapter, please visit our Chapter Map.

Logistics for the Field Trip 

The SEEDS Program will cover all the selected participants expenses for this field trip including travel, lodging, ground transportation and meals. This is a fully funded opportunity, students who are chosen to participate will work with SEEDS staff to arrange their travel itineraries, housing preferences, ground transportation, and dietary needs. SEEDS staff establishes an agenda with the station host and takes care of all the necessary arrangements for a great participant experience!

You just need to worry about making it to and from your home airport. 

Field Trip Agenda includes:

  • Science Workshops and discussions
  • Hands-on field research experience
  • Cultural components to the location we visit.
  • Career panel discussion with professionals and graduate students
  • Student presentations
  • Reflections on motivations students face in science
  • Time for group daily journal entries which are then compiled into a single report

Applications Materials

These are the materials you will need to complete the application for this field trip.

  • Applicant contact and academic information.
  • Statement of Interest: In a short (up to 400 word) essay(1) describe the nature of research that you intend to pursue; (2) specify how this Field Trip experience would further your educational and career goals; (3) summarize your ecology experience thus far (activities, coursework, research or work experience, etc.); (4) explain how you will contribute to the mission of the SEEDS program during and after the Field Trip. Uploaded in PDF format.
  • Resume or CV. Uploaded in PDF format.
  • Reference: Name and email contact of a professional reference.

Click on the APPLY image above to visit our application portal. 

The application portal will close on June 9, 2025 at midnight local time. 

SEEDS National Field Trips are funded by the Dr. Henry Gholz SEEDS Field Trip Endowment.