The Function of Field Stations and Marine Labs
"You do realize what that summer...did to us, don't you? Made us realize we could actually do science."Â
— 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

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

Job Postings

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

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:Â 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:Â 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 joins more than 75 other organizations to call for greater transparency and oversight regarding potential agency Reduction-in-Force (RIF) and reorganization in the U.S.
The American Psychological Association invited OBFS and more than 75 other organizations to sign onto…
OBFS: International committee meeting
Meeting Reminder: The OBFS International Committee meets every first Friday of the month at 11:00 AM…
AIBS Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits
The Organization of Biological Field Stations is pleased to announce that we are once again…
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…
The Future of Field Work: The Promise and Perils of Research in the Twenty-First Century
Thursday, October 23, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025Â is the American Philosophical Society’s upcoming conference…
Field Stations and Marine Labs
Donate to OBFS!Â
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!