Ecological Society of America

Ecological Society of America
Name	Ecological Society of America
Founded	28 December 1915
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Key people	Shahid Naeem (President), Katherine L. Gross (Past President), Rich Pouyat (President-Elect)
Focus	Ecology
Website	https://www.esa.org

Ecological Society of America. Founded in 1915, it is the world's largest community of professional ecologists, dedicated to advancing the science and practice of ecology. The society promotes ecological research, communication, and education to inform environmental policy and foster a sustainable future. Its membership includes scientists, educators, and practitioners from across the United States and over 60 other nations.

History

The society was established on December 28, 1915, in Columbus, Ohio, by a group of botanists and zoologists including Victor E. Shelford and Forrest Shreve. Its formation was influenced by earlier scientific organizations like the British Ecological Society and aimed to provide a unified voice for the emerging discipline of ecology in North America. Early activities focused on defining the field, with key figures like Frederic Clements and Henry Chandler Cowles contributing to foundational theories. The society's first official meeting was held in 1916 in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science in New York City. Throughout the 20th century, it grew in prominence, responding to environmental challenges such as those highlighted by Rachel Carson's Silent Spring and playing a role in the development of major legislation like the Endangered Species Act.

Organization and governance

The society is governed by a Council composed of elected officers, including the President, President-Elect, and Past President, along with representatives from its numerous Sections and Chapters. Key administrative functions are managed by a central office in Washington, D.C., led by an Executive Director. The membership is organized into specialized sections focusing on areas such as Applied Ecology, Aquatic Ecology, and Statistical Ecology, as well as regional chapters like the Southeastern Chapter. Major initiatives and long-term strategy are often guided by boards and committees, such as the Public Affairs Committee and the Education and Diversity Committee.

Publications

The society publishes a suite of highly regarded scientific journals that are central to the dissemination of ecological knowledge. Its flagship publication is Ecology, joined by Ecological Applications, Ecological Monographs, and the open-access journal Ecosphere. It also publishes the membership bulletin Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, which features synthetic reviews and policy discussions. These publications are produced in partnership with scholarly publishers like John Wiley & Sons and serve as critical resources for researchers at institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and University of California, Berkeley.

Meetings and conferences

The society convenes an annual meeting that is one of the largest gatherings of ecologists globally, typically attracting thousands of participants. Recent meetings have been held in cities like Portland, Oregon, Louisville, Kentucky, and Montreal. The event features presentations of cutting-edge research, organized symposia, workshops led by organizations like the National Science Foundation, and networking events. In addition to the annual meeting, the society co-sponsors specialized conferences, such as the International Congress of Ecology, and organizes smaller thematic meetings through its sections, like the Soil Ecology Section's biennial gathering.

Awards and recognition

The society administers a prestigious portfolio of awards honoring significant contributions to ecological science, education, and service. The highest honor is the Eminent Ecologist Award, with past recipients including Eugene P. Odum and Jane Lubchenco. Other major awards include the Robert H. MacArthur Award for mid-career scientists, the Mercer Award for early-career researchers, and the Sustainability Science Award for applied work. The Forrest Shreve Award and the W.S. Cooper Award recognize outstanding research in specific ecological subdisciplines and geographical regions, respectively.

Advocacy and public policy

The society engages in science policy and advocacy through its Office of Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., aiming to inform decision-making with ecological evidence. It provides expert testimony to bodies like the United States Congress and submits comments on federal rulemakings by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Forest Service. The society develops position statements and reports on critical issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and water resources, often in collaboration with other scientific organizations like the American Institute of Biological Sciences. Its Rapid Response Team of ecologists is available to provide timely scientific input on emerging policy debates.

Category:Scientific organizations based in the United States Category:Ecology organizations Category:Organizations established in 1915