Engaging the Whole Community in Ecology
All sections and chapters are open to ESA membership and participation by all members of the Society. ESA programs are open to all to apply. Participation is limited to space and resource constraints.
Making a More Inclusive Society
Over the last 30 years the Ecological Society of America has been monitoring the diversity of its membership and developing an award-winning mentoring program for students underrepresented in STEM, in an effort to broaden the range of human perspectives engaged in the practice of ecology.
These efforts are even more important today because so many of the current global environmental problems disproportionately impact already vulnerable communities. With barriers to participation in ecology varying greatly, strategies for diverse community engagement are urgently needed in applying ecological principles to environmental solutions for more efficacious outcomes.
Today’s ESA members have organized groups of diversity-focused ecologists who work to heighten awareness of the human dimension in ecological practices and highlight the interests and representation of environmental professionals with different backgrounds and experiences. These affinity groups in the society include: the Asian Ecology, Black Ecologists, Communication and Engagement, Environmental Justice, Human Ecology, Inclusive Ecology and Traditional Ecological Knowledge sections and the Latin America and Caribbean chapter, which are open to all members.
Over the years, ESA has developed many innovative teaching and mentoring initiatives. In September 2021, the ESA Diversity Committee was established to build awareness of issues impacting the participation of the community in ecology, and increase the support for ecologists with diverse backgrounds.
The ESA Diversity Committee is responsible for 1) advising ESA on the development of programs to enhance recruitment, training, and retention of underrepresented and marginalized groups in the ecological sciences, and 2) encouraging equitable treatment and representation of people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. The Diversity Committee engages all ESA sections, chapters, and committees to address diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within ESA and across the field of ecology.
ESA Annual Meeting
We take seriously the safe and welcoming experience of attendees at our Annual Meeting, and have built a number of practices into our meetings process. Explore these meeting FAQ for more information.
ESA Diversity Programs
ESA diversity-enhancement programs include the Excellence in Ecology Scholarships program, environmental career development programs (SEEDS).
Reports
Diversity Task Force Recommendations
In 2020, ESA established the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Task Force is to review barriers to full participation by all ESA members, to prioritize actions and propose metrics and a timeline for their implementation, to estimate the resources required to carry out the actions, and to deliver the recommendations to the ESA Governing Board.
Women and Minorities in Ecology (WAMIE) Committee Reports
ESA established the Committee on Women and Minority Affairs in 1988. In 1991, it became a Standing Committee of the Society. This committee provides leadership and recommendations for ESA diversity initiatives.
» WAMIE II Report (2006)
» WAMIE I Report (1993)
» Report of the Standing Committee [ESA Bulletin] (1992)
Profiles of Ecologists survey
Profiles of Ecologists Report
This report was the result of a 2005 survey of the ESA membership to: (1) determine the pattern of graduate degrees in ecology earned; (2) determine ethnicity and gender composition in the field; (3) catalog the nation’s environmental science capabilities; and (4) analyze current patterns of employment.