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Past Leadership Meetings

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2024 SEEDS Leadership Meeting – Petersham, MA

Biodiversity and Sustainability

From September 4 – 8, 2024 SEEDS hosted the 2024 SEEDS Leadership Meeting at Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA. There were 19 student leaders from 18 different SEEDS Chapters across the country. With the help of past ESA President, Dr. Shahid Naeem, current ESA President, Dr. Stephanie Hampton, and ESA’s Executive Director, Dr. Catherine O’Riordan, 2024year’s meetings followed the theme of: Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability. During the week, students worked on science communication and policy skills, learned about Northeast forestry biodiversity, received a guided tour of Manchage Manexit Reflective Trail honoring the original stewards of the land – the Nipmuc, and engaged with NEON – all to be better leaders in the field of ecology.

2023 SEEDS Leadership Meeting – Poughkeepsie, New York

Global Ecology, Urbanization, and Science Policy

From November 15-19, 2023, the Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS) Program of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) hosted the 2023 SEEDS Leadership Meeting at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Poughkeepsie, NY. We had 22 student leaders from 21 different SEEDS Chapters as well as SEEDS Fellows and Emerge Fellows. With the help of past ESA Presidents, Dr. Kathleen Weathers and Dr. Steward Pickett, the meeting theme was on the global scale of ecology; focused on how our science can impact various aspects of urban communities, climate projections, policy, and disease ecology. During this meeting, Dr. Alan Berkowitz, Head of Education at the Cary Institute and one of the founders of SEEDS was able to join us! This experience was filled with amazing guest speakers, a bit of ecological history on urbanization, and insights on how to prepare for science communication.

2022 SEEDS Leadership Meeting – Tucson, Arizona

Social-Ecological Resilience: Studying the Link Between Ecosystems and Society

From November 15-19, 2022 the Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS) Program of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) hosted the 2022 SEEDS Leadership Meeting at the Arizona Institute for Resilient Environments and Societies (AIRES) at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. We had 24 students from 16 different SEEDS Chapters as well as SEEDS Fellows, Society for Freshwater Science Emerge Fellows, and Society of Wetland Scientists Multicultural Mentoring Program (SWaMMP) student leaders. With the help of current ESA President, Dr. Sharon Collinge, the meeting theme, Social-Ecological Resilience: studying the link between ecosystems and society, focused on how our science can have a big impact when thinking about resilient communities. This experience was filled with amazing guest speakers, a bit of ecological history and a strong appreciation for future resilient communities.

2021 SEEDS Virtual Leadership Meeting 

The SEEDS Leadership meeting was held virtually in 2021! The SEEDS Leadership Meeting theme was Urban Ecology. The meeting workshops focused on 21st century science skills where students will learn the impact of our science. This meeting was not intended to teach participants how to collect data, but for them to understand what that data means to the rest of society. 25 undergraduate students have been invited to participate virtually in a series of 8 workshops from April 13 – May 13, 2021.

Workshop Calendar:

  • Tuesday, April 13th at 4:30PM ET
    • Ecology 101: Kathleen Weathers, ESA President.
  • Monday, April 19th at 5PM ET
    • Science in Society: Fushcia Hoover, SESYNC
  • Thursday, April 22nd at 5PM ET
    • Career Panel – A diverse group of SEEDS Alum and ESA members talking about their unique career paths.
  • Tuesday, April 27th at 4:30PM ET
    • Publishing 101: Richard Wallace, Editor in Chief of Frontiers in Ecology.
  • Monday, May 3rd at 5PM ET
    • Science Communication I: Heidi Swanson Public Information Manager, and Fred Abbott, Ecological Society of America
  • Thursday, May 6th at 5PM ET
    • Science Communication II: Fred Abbott, Ecological Society of America
  • Tuesday, May 11th at 5PM ET
    • Science in Politics and Policy: Michael Peñuelas and Sarah Anderson
  • Thursday, May 13th at 6PM ET
    • Final Celebration: SEEDS Staff

2019 SEEDS Leadership Meeting – Cape Charles, Virginia

Islands at Risk: Chesapeake Barrier Island Ecology and Community Outreach

The ESA-SEEDS program hosted the 2019 SEEDS Leadership Meeting from September 25-29, 2019 at the Virginia Coastal Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research site in Cape Charles, VA! We sponsored 20 undergraduate students from all over the US to learn about the amazing science of the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The meeting theme focused on Coastal Restoration and Conservation and the important role that our science plays in these critical coastal systems. Students had the opportunity to explore these delicate ecosystems and participate in a community outreach activity as well as conduct small research projects while at the station. A huge thanks to Dr. Cora Johnston for hosting this amazing event!

2019 Leadership Meeting Report

2018 SEEDS Leadership Meeting- Portal, Arizona

Border Ecology: the interactions between ecology and other fields

From September 18-23, 2018, the Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS) program hosted its yearly Leadership Meeting at the Southwestern Research Station in Portal, AZ with 20 students participating. The theme of the meeting was “Border Ecology: the interactions between ecology and other fields.” Dr. Laura Huenneke, ESA President and Dr. George Middendorf from Howard University were key in making this a great event.Students had the opportunity to explore and learn about the landscapes and creatures of the southeastern corner of AZ!

2018 Leadership Meeting Report

 

2017 SEEDS Leadership Meeting- El Yunque National Forest

Diversity for Tropical Forests: The connection between forests and communities.

Published: Soto et al., Ecology, Policy, and Puerto Rico: El Yunque National Forest by students from the 2017 Leadership Meeting

From April 5-9, 2017 SEEDS hosted the 12th SEEDS Leadership Meeting at El Yunque National Forest in Rio Grande, PR! 23 undergraduate students from all over the US participated in this meeting that focused on the connections between forests and communities. We stayed at El Verde Field Station, managed by the University of Puerto Rico. The students participated workshops and activities at Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve and El Yunque National Forest. Participants learned about the importance of good management strategies to incorporate the local community and stakeholders at a national forest. They conducted a visitor survey at El Yunque and had the opportunity to analyze and present their findings. They also learned about invasive species, and participated in a citizen science project at Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve to dig up green iguana eggs – a prominent invasive on the island. All of these activities made this a truly unforgettable experience. SEEDS hosted this amazing event thanks to the support from the USDA Forest Service.

This event was made possible with support from the US Forest Service Research and Development.

2016 Leadership Meeting – Otto, North Carolina

Diversity for Healthy Forests: The connections between forestry science and society

From April 13-17, 2016, 19 students traveled to Coweeta Hydrological Lab for the 11th SEEDS Leadership meeting with Fred Abbott and Teresa Mourad. Student participants included three 2014-2015 SPUR fellows, six 2015-2016 SPUR fellows and nine (9) other students nominated by SEEDS chapter advisers.   Students learned about the science projects at Coweeta, and how the science was applied to decision-making related to land use and ecosystem services. Our heartfelt appreciation go to Dr. Chelcy Miniat, Lead PI and Dr. Randy Fowler who developed the agenda and travel arrangements. Special thanks to Dr. Miniat, Coweeta scientists and local leaders for an inspiring program that allowed students to explore science, policy, communications, education and careers.  We are very grateful to ESA President, Dr. Monica Turner, who shared her incredible career journey with our students and whose presence demonstrated the commitment of ESA to the SEEDS program.

This event was made possible with support from the US Forest Service Research and Development.

2015 SEEDS Leadership Meeting – North East, MD

Pollination Science, Policy and Communication

This year’s SEEDS Leadership Meeting –  celebrating its 10th Anniversary, was held this past May 6-10 at NorthBay Adventure Camp in North East, Maryland. Twenty three students from across the US, as well as ESA President, Dr. David Inouye, met around the theme, Pollination Science, Policy and Communication. Students were able to discover amazing career paths around the science of pollination, and tour areas of Maryland and Washington, DC. With the help of Dr. Sam Droege and numerous other partners from the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, the US Forest Service and the University of Maryland – we explored pollination science, from data to policy, and everything that falls in-between! Students also visited ESA HQ and picked up some communications strategies from Liza Lester, ESA’s Communications Officer!

To learn more about this leadership meeting, please visit the ESA blog. 

Check out the educational outreach ideas generated by participants and the ESA Pollinator Toolkit originally developed by the Science Office now residing on the SEEDS site.

2014 Leadership Meeting – Fort Collins, Colorado

Food Security and Food Justice: Sustaining Agricultural Abundance and Healthy Communities

The 9th Annual SEEDS Leadership Meeting was held in Colorado State University in beautiful Fort Collins, CO from April 9-13, 2014. Over the span of five days, 26 students from all across the United States and Puerto Rico came together to discover the theme of the meeting – Food Security and Food Justice: Sustaining Agricultural Abundance and Healthy Communities. Students learned a lot about the challenges of food production, distribution, waste, justice and health relating to the science of ecology. How will we lead the change in the next 36 years to feed 9 billion by 2050? Students came up with some amazing plans to implement in our SEEDS Chapters. With the help from Jill Baron, President of the Ecological Society of America students enjoyed their time at the USGS Powell Center with the Front Range of the Rockies always to the west!

To learn more, read 2014 Leadership Meeting Report

2013 Leadership Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana

Ecological Recovery and Prevention of Environmental Disasters: Harnessing Science and Building Social Resilience

The 8th Annual SEEDS Leadership Meeting was held February 20-24 in New Orleans, Louisiana. There were 31 passionate SEEDS students and alumni leaders from all over the country who participated in this meeting themed “Ecological Recovery and Prevention of Environmental Disasters: Harnessing Science and Building Social Resilience.” New Orleans was the perfect city for this meeting, as this city has displayed resilience through the many environmental disasters it has endured. Students were able to see and hear about the stories about the experience of the residents during the times of struggle after Hurricane Katrina. Workshops and field trips further helped students to develop a better understanding of environmental disasters. A career panel was also hosted during this meeting, where several panelists including ESA President Scott Collins engaged students in a discussion on career options and pathways.

Funded by the Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas and the National Science Foundation

To learn more about this leadership meeting, read 2013 ESA Leadership Meeting Report

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2012 Leadership Meeting, National 4-H Conference Center, Washington, DC

Defining and Conducting Stewardship and Action as Ecologists and Global Citizens

The 2012 SEEDS Leadership Meeting was held March 1-4 at the National 4-H Conference Center in our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. This year’s theme was: “Ecological Science and Public Policy: an Intersection of Action Ecology.” A total of 26 SEEDS students and alumni leaders came together, which made this Leadership Meeting another huge success. There were four breakout groups that formed in from this Meeting. “Building coalitions” was led by student Tiffany Carey and mentor Steward Pickett. “Translation of Research Results” was led by student Beatriz Otero Jiménez and mentor Sylvia Fallon. “Steps for Engaging in Policy” was led by student Amanda Labrado and mentor Terence Houston. “Role of Media” was led by student Damian McPherson and mentor Liza Lester. Read more about the meeting through the paper that was written by students from this Leadership Meeting and published in the ESA bulletin.

Funded by the National Science Foundation

2012 Leadership Meeting – ESA Bulletin Article

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2011 Leadership Meeting, Pack Forest, Washington

Ecological Sustainability in our Nation’s West

The sixth annual SEEDS Leadership Meeting was held March 6-11 at Pack Forest, Washington. The theme for this year’s Leadership Meeting was “Defining and Conducting Stewardship and Action as Ecologists and Global Citizens.” The meeting was a great success with 25 SEEDS student and alumni leaders from all aspects of the SEEDS program. There were three breakout groups formed with a mentor to lead each one. The groups consisted of “Educating the Future Generation,” “Action Ecology,” and “Earth Stewardship.” Our meeting mentors were: Terry Chapin, Scott Perez, Jahi Chappell, and Gregory Ettl. Read more about the meeting through the paper published in the ESA bulletin.

Funded by the National Science Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation

2011 Leadership Meeting – ESA Bulletin Article

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2010 Leadership Meeting, Hidden Villa, Los Altos, California

Revolutionary ecology: multimedia and multidisciplinary approaches to cooling the planet

SEEDS LM 2010The fifth annual SEEDS Leadership Meeting was held Feb. 24-28 at the Hidden Villa Hostle in California. The 2010 SEEDS Leadership Meeting was inspired by and created in preparation for the SEEDS student led symposium for the 2010 ESA Annual Meeting whose title was made the theme for the Leadership Meeting: “Revolutionary ecology: multimedia and multidisciplinary approaches to cooling the planet” SEEDS students made headway during the 5th annual SEEDS Leadership Meeting on the main theme of this symposium – action-oriented ecology. The meeting was a great success with 23 SEEDS student and alumni leaders participating from all aspects of the SEEDS program. One immediate meeting product was a student video production entitled “Hands of Change” watch it here:
Four breakout groups were formed to tackle four action themed topics. Each group was given an ESA Member as a Mentors who helped guide the disucssion and provide great insight.
Our meeting mentors were: Mary Power (Action-Oriented-Ecology group), Kye Epps (Science and Media group), Rodolfo Dirzo (Biocultural Conservation group), Jen Johnson (Science and Political Action group).

Each group contributed to a one of a kind paper which was published in the ESA Bulletin in English, Spanish and Chinese! You can find the trilingual 2010 SEEDS Leadership publications here: English:, Spanish, & Chinese.

Funded by the National Science Foundation

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2009 Leadership Meeting, Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research Station in Socorro, New Mexico

SEEDS in Action: Preparing for the Future of Ecology

The fourth annual SEEDS Leadership Meeting was held Feb. 25-28 at the Sevilleta LTER in New Mexico. The theme of this year’s Leadership Meeting was “SEEDS in action – preparing for the future of ecology.” The meeting was a great success with 23 SEEDS student and alumni leaders participating from all aspects of the SEEDS program. Workshops, discussions, breakout groups, and a field trip were led by the students themselves, collaborators of NCEAS, NEON, LTERs, and our own ESA President Sunny Power. Participants shared eloquently about their own culture, how this shapes the way they take part in a culture of science and academia, and indeed how they currently lead or hope to lead in the future. The meeting brought together past and present participants, ranging from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. Learn more about this year’s leadership meeting and look at photos from the meeting.

Funded by the National Science Foundation

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2008 Leadership Meeting, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina

Voices of Hope in a Rapidly Changing World

The third annual SEEDS Leadership Meeting was held Feb. 21-24 at Duke University and hosted by ESA President Norm Christensen. 36 SEEDS students and alumni leaders from all aspects of the SEEDS program participated, including a strong Chapter representation. The many layers of leadership made the meeting a great success; three ESA governing board members interacted with SEEDS participants who led workshops, breakout groups, and the organization of writing pieces. Much of the conversation revolved around education and outreach as a means of tackling the most critical ecological issues facing the planet. ESA President, along with other Duke University faculty and staff engaged the students and encouraged them to pursue careers in ecology. To learn more read the meeting report and look at photos from the meeting.

Funded by the National Science Foundation

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2007 Leadership Meeting, San Jose, California

Responsibility of Education and Outreach

The 2007 Leadership Meeting was held from Feb 23-27 in San Jose, California. 40 ecologists, including SEEDS Fellows, members of the ESA Governing Board, SEEDS Advisory Board, SEEDS staff, local scientists and students from the bay area attended the meeting. The workshops during the meeting centered around the importance of education and outreach. The SEEDS Fellows took the initiative to plan an outreach trip for local high schools and their families during the ESA Annual Meeting. This gathering highlighted the resolve of the SEEDS students to continue pushing the barriers of science and outreach. Read more about the meeting.

Funded by the National Science Foundation

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2006 Leadership Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona

The 2007 Leadership Meeting was held from March 2-5 in Phoenix, Arizona. Students were put into work groups and had brainstorming session of issues, obstacles, goals of students entering the field of ecology and becoming leaders, and for benefit of all what would be the best information to get from students. The leadership meeting also included workshops, leadership panels, and reports from the past fellows.

Read more about this leadership meeting.

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