This post was provided by Carmen Cid, Chair of the ESA Board of Professional Certification. The Ecological Society of America has been validating the credentials of professional ecologists through our certification program for nearly 40 years. Beginning in 2021, we aim to take the program to a new level. Hundreds of environmental scientists—working in all sectors from consulting to government…

by Gillian Bowser and Carmen R. Cid “The Somebody Else’s Problem field…relies on people’s natural predisposition not to see anything they don’t want to, weren’t expecting, or can’t explain.” -Douglas Adams, 1982[1] When is the right time to act on environmental justice, diversity and inclusion?  For the last three decades, the Ecological Society of America membership has elevated the human…

In This Issue: Join an ESA Webinar Today about the 2020 Election Results Join the Public Affairs Office at 3:00pm eastern for a discussion of the implications for scientific and environmental policy. Vice President Joe Biden Wins Presidential Election Democrats retain majority in the House of Representatives, Senate races in Georgia go to runoffs. ESA Statement on the U.S. Withdrawal…

How we address climate change is a defining issue for the country, the planet and the well-being of all people now and in the future. The Trump administration’s choice to withdraw the United States from the Paris agreement is an irresponsible and environmentally disastrous decision that can legally go into effect Nov. 4—the day after the general election. More than…

In This Issue: Trump Administration Seeks to Restrict Student Visas Comments on this proposed rule close today. US Global Change Research Program Requests Nominations for Authors of the Fifth National Climate Assessment by Nov. 14 The request for author nominations is one of the first steps towards publishing a national climate assessment in 2022. Congress House Natural Resources Committee Chairman…

In This Issue: ESA Condemns the Recent White House Directives to End DEI Training Sessions Scientific societies urge the administration to rescind this order. New ESA DEIJ Survey Requests Member Input for Recommendations Task Force Requests Feedback from Members by Oct. 19. House and Congress Keeps Government Open, Fate of Coronavirus Relief Bill Uncertain The House of Representatives passes bill…

“If you don’t have diverse representation in positions of power and authority to make change, how can you expect real change?”
Participant, ESA Listening Session on DEIJ Action Steps October 7, 2020

by Kathleen Weathers, ESA President It’s rather remarkable to realize that it was almost two months ago that we were immersed in the grand experiment of an all-virtual annual meeting.  While there were certainly some hiccups along the way, the staff and meetings committees did a remarkable job making an 180o pivot with panache, as did meeting attendees. With almost…

by Charles Nilon, ESA Awards Committee Chair October is upon us and autumn is in full swing. It’s the season of turning leaves, crisp air … and ESA award nominations! And as the chair of ESA’s Awards Committee, I want to make sure that we all enjoy this season together and celebrate outstanding work (and outstanding people) in ecology by…

In This Issue: Connecting with Congressional Committees to Inform Hearings Webinar recording is available online. Upcoming ESA Webinars ESA will host a webinar with Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally Sept. 30. Congress House and Senate pass bill keeping the federal government through Dec. 11. Executive Branch Forest Service releases final environmental impact statement for exempting the Tongass National Forest from…

Racism and prejudice continue to harm communities of color. ESA stands firm in its commitment to challenge and break down inequities in our community of scientists and practitioners of ecology. Today, we reach out to you with an update towards fulfilling the commitment made in the June 2020 letter to the community. At that time, ESA pledged to redouble its…

In This Issue: Action Alert: Scientific Societies, House Science Committee Push for Research Relief The RISE Act would authorize $26 billion in emergency relief for federal science agencies. Upcoming ESA Webinars ESA will host a webinar with Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally Sept. 30. Congress Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) calls for $55 billion for a new Civilian Conservation Corps. Executive…