The Collaborations Committee develops and strengthens collaborations among OBFS member stations and between OBFS and other professional networks. The Collaborations Committee maintains OBFS ties with other organizations, organizes OBFS participation in Congressional Visits Day, and runs the OBFS Station Exchange Program.

Committee:

Itchung Cheung, Chair, Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center.

Paul Foster, Past Chair, Bijagual Ecological Reserve, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

Andrew Rappe, Center for Conservation Initiatives, The Nature Conservancy in Florida

Goal Statement:

The OBFS Collaborations Committee serves as a dynamic hub for fostering innovative and impactful interdisciplinary collaborations within the realm of environmental science and research. Recognizing the invaluable role of Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSMLs) as crucibles for face-to-face discourse, the Committee is committed to creating the ideal environment for cultivating cross-disciplinary communication, trust, and the development of novel collaborations and enduring friendships.

Our Purpose:

At the heart of the OBFS Collaborations Committee lies the belief that FSMLs are not just physical sites, but vibrant spaces where researchers, educators, and the public converge to explore and unravel the mysteries of the natural world. These unique places are instrumental in propelling the environmental sciences forward and hold the potential to address grand challenges in our ever-changing world.

Future Directions:

The future beckons us to harness the distinctive strengths of FSMLs to confront the pressing environmental challenges of our time. These field stations provide an invaluable setting where environmental science takes root amidst the very ecosystems it seeks to understand. This proximity to nature facilitates a deeper comprehension of site-specific rates, processes, and linkages, offering insights that transcend the confines of laboratory walls.

Our vision encompasses:

Collaborative Synergy: The Committee aims to catalyze synergistic collaborations by bringing together experts from diverse fields who share a passion for the environment. By facilitating dialogue and shared experiences, we foster the birth of groundbreaking research initiatives.

Community Integration: We recognize that FSMLs are not isolated from the communities they inhabit. We strive to strengthen the connection between FSMLs, academics, students, and the public, transforming these sites into bridges of understanding and knowledge exchange.

Innovation and Discovery: As stewards of environmental science, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is known. Through our collaborative efforts, we seek to uncover new solutions, deepen our understanding of complex ecological systems, and contribute to the global conversation on sustainability and conservation.

In summary, the OBFS Collaborations Committee is a catalyst for change, a facilitator of ideas, and a champion of interdisciplinary research. Together, we will continue to explore, learn, and collaborate, utilizing the remarkable potential of FSMLs to make a positive impact on our environment and the world at large.