In 2024, the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) created a Membership Committee. This committee develops and oversees OBFS services for member stations with the goal of increasing the value of OBFS membership to existing members and recruiting new members.

 

Activities

Monthly Meetings - we meet on the second Wednesday of every month to network, share ideas, plan programming. If you want to join us, please contact us at membership@obfs.org.

 

Leadership

• Megan Napoli, Co-Chair, Associate Director of Conservation Science & Research, Mohonk Preserve, NY
• Lara Roketenetz, Co-Chair, Field Station Director, University of Akron, OH

 

Committee Members

• Skip Van Bloem, Professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, SC
• Laura Reed, Executive Assistant, Archbold Biological Station, FL
• Rhonda Struminger, Co-Director, CICHAZ, A.C. and President, CICHAZ USA

 

Programs

The Mini-Grant Program: click here to apply

As part of the Implementation Phase of the OBFS Strategic Plan 2021-2026 “Adapting to a Changing Climate; Supporting Resilient Stations for Today and for Tomorrow,” the Board has allocated funds for projects that complement the strategic plan, help achieve the plan's goals and objectives and advance the mission of OBFS. The Board is accepting proposals from OBFS members for projects related to the five priority areas:

1. Collaborations within the OBFS community and with other organizations
2. IDEA+ (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility)
3. Membership Support
4. Advocacy: raising awareness and promoting the value of Field Stations
5. Sustainability for the Organization and Member Stations.

• Proposal Timelines
  • Two rounds for proposal applications yearly, one in winter (call in January, deadline Feb.15th) and one in summer (call in June, deadline July 15th)
    • Calls sent out over the OBFS listserv
  • Proposals reviewed by Committee
  • Decisions on awardees determined by February (first round) and August (second round)
  • Additional rolling application option is open to FSMLs with an urgent need for funding
    • Urgent need is determined by committee on a case-by-case basis.

• Proposals Must Include:
  • Description of Project/Initiative
    • Include approximate start/end dates
  • Relationship with OBFS Strategic Vision
  • Budget for Proposed Project
  • Assessment: How will you assess the success of your project?
  • Broader Community Impacts (i.e., How will this benefit the OBFS Community?)

• Awards Available:
  • Maximum of $5000 USD per awardee
  • Please note: A finite amount of money has been allocated for this program, and as these funds are exhausted, proposals received later in the calendar year may need to be considered in the following year.

• Applicant Requirements:
  • Current station or individual OBFS Member
  • Member stations and individual members may submit one proposal per year

• Deliverables:
  • Upon completion of the project, all grant recipients are expected to submit a summary of the project to the Committee and are required to present this summary at the OBFS Annual Meeting (variety of formats available to present, including virtual).

 

Swag - OBFS gear coming soon.

 

The Membership Committee wants to hear from you!

• Please email us at membership@obfs.org to submit your member stories/suggestions/questions/concerns.

• • Examples:

• • • Does your station have any fun news to share with us (awards, pictures, activities, etc.)?
    • Do you know of a field station that is not a member of OBFS and should be?
    • Do you want more swag availability/options?
    • Are there ways that OBFS could serve you better?