Organization of Biological Field Stations

Supporting Environmental Research, Education and Public Understanding

The Function of Field Stations and Marine Labs

Biological field stations and marine laboratories (FSMLs) provide living libraries and outdoor laboratories for students, researchers, and the general public. They vary greatly in form and purpose, and include both marine laboratories whose focus is offshore, as well as terrestrial reserves dedicated to protecting key ecosystems. Field stations vary in size from a few urban acres to thousands of acres spread across a remote landscape. Station facilities might range from trail networks to state-of-the-art laboratories. Whatever form individual field stations may take, they all share the same commitment to advancing our understanding of the Earth by supporting research, teaching, and public education. Research stations provide an invaluable service to local communities and the country by providing unbiased scientific information and facilities to help governmental and other stakeholders tackle critical environmental issues.

Field station staff and researchers provide place-based information ensuring that environmental considerations are factored into local and regional planning and development decisions.

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"You do realize what that summer...did to us, don't you? Made us realize we could actually do science." 

— Jeff, past student at a field station

"Field stations are places where we can read the book of life in the language in which it was written."

— James Kirchner, U.C. Berkeley

Discussion Board

Discussion Board

Contribute to ongoing discussions and review content and Q&As developed for FSML staff

Job Postings

Job Posting

Operating a field station for research and education presents many challenges. Here are opportunities for people who thrive at FSMLs.

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2025 Annual Meeting

The 2025 annual meeting will be held at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory located near Crested Butte, Colorado the week of September 15, 2025. Look for the registration later in June!

Meeting Overview

Monday, September 15: Pre-Meeting Workshops

Tuesday, September 16: Field Trips, 3 p.m. start of Annual Meeting/Evening Plenary

Wednesday, September 17: Morning Plenary/Concurrent Sessions/Lightning Talks & Poster Session/Evening Plenary/Social Event

Thursday, September 18: Concurrent Sessions/RMBL Station & Science Tours/Auction and Dance Party

Friday, September 19: Departure Day – Meeting Adjourns/Post-Meeting Workshops/ OBFS Development Event with Miles O’Brien in Crested Butte

Meeting Inclusions

The registration cost of $450 will cover all meals, programming, and entertainment from Tuesday Dinner – Friday breakfast.

Additional program days, meals, some field trips, and housing choices are available at an extra cost.

News and Events

Call for Nominations to the American Institute of Biological Sciences Board of Directors

Concerned about the future of biological science in the United States? The American Institute of…

AIBS Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits

OBFS is once again sponsoring the AIBS Congressional District Visits event. Every year, the American…

OBFS: International committee meeting

Meeting Reminder: The OBFS International Committee meets every first Friday of the month at 11:00 AM…

Free

AIBS Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits

The Organization of Biological Field Stations is pleased to announce that we are once again…

$1600 – $2200

Applied Bioacoustics in Conservation and Practice Field Course – July 2025

Hosted in collaboration with the Organization for Tropical Studies and the African Bioacoustics Community, this hands-on field course…

OBFS Board Meeting

The OBFS Board meets via Zoom every eight weeks through the year. All OBFS members…

Free

The Future of Field Work: The Promise and Perils of Research in the Twenty-First Century

Thursday, October 23, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025 is the American Philosophical Society’s upcoming conference…

Field Stations and Marine Labs

Donate to OBFS! 

OBFS is a non-profit organization and you can help further and sustain its mission through your generous support. Please consider a generous donation in support of our work to help shape the future of field science in your community!