The following quotes from individuals involved in the ESA SEEDS program were contained in the proposal submitted to NSF for the PAESMEM Award.

"Participating in SEEDS has offered me the opportunity to create relationships with talented individuals over the years. The field trip introduced me to my research partner, Christine George, who looks me in they eye and says 'thank you, Sophi' every time I see her. Just that little appreciation lets me know, I made a difference.  I shared my vision for the project, we built a dream together although we are from two different worlds, and both fueled our dream with hope. Opportunities like those offered by SEEDS do not happen everyday.  SEEDS made our uranium project on the Navajo reservation happen; only being a parent brings me greater joy and pride.  The SEEDS program allowed me the freedom to ask questions, seek the in-depth answers I wanted, and created a comfortable, fertile environment that allowed me to grow.  SEEDS changes students, it calms the terror, builds confidence with support and hope, and allows the freedom to accept the wonder created by the vision or dream of an ecologically safe world ." -- Sophi Beym, Bishop Paiute Tribe Environmental Specialist, SEEDS alumna

"SEEDS has been instrumental in bringing to light the many different realms of ecology there are available to me.  I have always found science interesting, yet I could never really grasp it. Growing up on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota, my views seemed to clash with those of modern science, resulting in my doubt and lack of interest in science.  My involvement and support from SEEDS, the meeting of different mentors, and the meeting of students from different ethnic backgrounds with similar interests as me, has and is allowing me to realize there is a place for me in science. Through my experiences with SEEDS, not only have I seen many different disciplines of ecology, but also, I have been able to find one that is true and close to me - rangeland ecology and management. My upcoming SEEDS Fellowship research will greatly and directly benefit both me and my educational/career goals.  I am certain that had it not been for SEEDS and my Tribal College, I never would have thought of this line of work, pursued ecology, or have been sustained and supported like I have. I am excited for what the future hold for me in ecology, educationally and career wise. SEEDS has opened my eyes and mind to a whole new world of possibilities, possibilities I may never have imagined had I not found SEEDS, or maybe SEEDS not found me." -- Christopher S. McLaughlin, Sitting Bull College, SEEDS fellow

Prior to joining ESA and SEEDS, my level of confidence about pursuing an advanced degree in science was at an all time low. Shortly after becoming an employee of ESA, my level of confidence began to flourish due to the mentoring relationships established between staff, ESA members, SEEDS faculty, SEEDS students, and myself. My mentoring experience with SEEDS, as both a mentor and mentee, taught me many lessons, but mainly to strive for excellence even when faced with the many challenges related to persuing higher education as a young African American ecologist. This life-changing experience opened my mind and heart to the many perspectives of ecology, diversity, recruitment, and the importance of mentoring students. My current experience and position at ESA has deepened my interest in ecology and solidified my decision to pursue a graduate degree in the field. -- Jeramie Strickland (SEEDS Student Coordinator)

"To design a curriculum in ecology we were forced to remove the mind-set of apathy brought on by years of minority disenfranchisement from the environmental movement and replace it with the ecological awareness that would make our students see the necessity of taking ecology in the first place." -- Dr. Mike John, Bethune Cookman College, SEEDS faculty

"As the President of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Ecology Chapter sponsored by the ESA/SEEDS program, I can reach out to other students and increase our involvement to make a difference through ecological activities, outreach and hands on field trips." -- Andrea Rivera, University of Hawaii at Manoa, SEEDS fellow

"Working with the SEEDS program has been one of my most rewarding professional activities. Each student has had a unique perspective which has caused me to reflect on why, and sometimes how, we do research. They have challenged me to explain the relevance of our work to diverse populations in the US and around the world. Science is a dynamic process which thrives on diversity of all types. The SEEDS program is increasing the quality of ecological science throughout the Americas by rapidly and effectively integrating new perspectives into our laboratories, field sites and scientific meetings." -- Jeff Herrick, USDA Agricultural Research Service, ESA Member, SEEDS Annual Meeting & Fellowship Mentor

"Like a lot of people from the reservation I struggled financially and academically. I had the drive and right reasons to attend college, but those two factors really beat my confidence. I constantly wondered if I would make it, if I was crazy for thinking I could move away and be a successful college student. Each semester would go by and I would be barely hanging on. After participating in the June 2005 SEEDS Field Trip to the University of Michigan Biological Station my educational career and personal life began to fall into place. From each presentation, talk, and field trip I developed a new game plan on how I could get on the right track and make this happen for me. I made a decision that week that I was going to make it happen, and that I was capable of doing well and moving on in college and my struggles and hard work would pay off in the future. The experiences that week from UMBS were my tool for becoming successful in the field of Ecology. I went back to MMC with direction and confidence, and since then I have been making great accomplishments in my education and career." -- Angela Loud Bear, St. Mary's College, SEEDS undergraduate

"Through my participation in the fellowship I was not only introduced to a new technological advance in land conservation, I was introduced to it in Spanish. My first language was Spanish; however, studying in the United States, my entire formal education has been in English. My fellowship project has given me the opportunity to explore ecology from an entirely new perspective, not only because it was conducted in Spanish, but because it allowed me to experience and understand how to collaborate and implement research from other scientist in order to accomplish a greater objective. The fellowship not only enhanced my formal education but has also expanded by personal capabilities, which I am sure will prove to be an asset to my future ." -- Noemi Baquera, University of Texas at El Paso, SEEDS fellow

"Only when the full breadth of the American family is engaged in deciding what are important ecological problems and are able to bring their full, rich brilliance to bear on solving these problems, will ecology be up to the task that faces it. That the leadership of the ESA recognized this fact, when it made diversifying the field a key goal in advancing the science of ecology, is one of SEEDS greatest accomplishments in its first half decade." -- Alan R. Berkowitz, Institute for Ecosystem Studies, former ESA Vice President for Education & Founder of SEEDS

"As a current SEEDS fellow, I am working at the Phoenix Long Term Ecological Research site with Dr. Nancy Grimm, current ESA president, on a project that is investigating the effects of anthropogenic nitrogen and carbon on nitrogen fixation rates of biological soil crust. This opportunity has helped me pursue my scientific and social interests. I am able to conduct a project on biogeochemistry and ecosystem ecology while working with an LTER and the Global Institute of Sustainability. I am actively involved in scientific research and simultaneously interacting with people of various disciplines." -- Christina Wong, Occidental College, SEEDS fellow

"I believe that being a member of a SEEDS Chapter will not only benefit me, but all of the incoming freshmen interested in ecology. I see SEEDS as the key that unlocks many doors that students are afraid to open, such as research, networking, and exploring new fields. Now I have participated in SEEDS field trips, the ESA Annual Meeting, and the Research Fellowship. SEEDS is the perfect route to motivate and encourage students to stay in the ecology field. Like a seed, SEEDS is a beginning of a student's growth in their career. " -- Jorge Ramos, University of Texas at El Paso, SEEDS fellow