From Science to Solutions: Advancing the Role of Field Stations
In a time of declining resources, field stations (including marine labs and nature reserves) are struggling to maintain and enhance their important contributions to scientific discovery, innovation, education, and public outreach. At a recent meeting of the
National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML) and the
Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) in Woods Hole, MA, Bill Dennison was asked by Jeff Brown, Director of UC Berkeley's
Central Sierra Field Research Stations, to help create an OBFS/NAML publication, targeting legislators, government funding agencies, and educational institutions. The goal was to feature the scientific and social value of field stations, the need for their support, and their future plans for sustainability. Working from a 2014 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report on future of field stations, Jane Hawkey worked closely with Jeff and his team under a tight deadline to synthesize the NAS report and create this colorful brochure.