CERF has joined with the Consortium for Aquatic Science Societies to submit Outside Witness Testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of robust funding for aquatic science programs within NOAA, NASA, and EPA. The statements respond to the current Presidential Administration's proposals to drastically cut programs that support the research, conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems required by all U.S. citizens, who rely on clean and abundant water for their health and well-being.

Read full letters here:
FY18 House OWT EPA support CASS
FY18 Senate OWT EPA support CASS

CERF has signed on to outside witness testimony in support of Fiscal Year 2018 funding for NSF, NASA, and NOAA, with particular emphasis on the contributions their support for the geosciences make to national security, economic competitiveness, and public safety. The testimony, supported by 130 institutions, was submitted to the Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, for both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

View full House letter

CERF President Robert Twilley has written a letter to members in response to recent US federal policy developments that undermine science and science funding, and to the concerns raised by members in light of these threats. The letter, included in full below, has been reviewed by and receives the full support of the CERF Executive Committee.

In it, Dr. Twilley states that "…one of the most important messages resulting from threats to our profession as scientists, and to the organizations that use science to improve the quality of life in our society, is a renewed commitment to communicate the value of our work to constituents in our local communities every day. We have to commit to telling our story of how the science of healthy coastal ecosystems has value for all of society, and sustains our wealth as a nation." He also states, "the Executive Committee of CERF has endorsed the values of science in our society that are being promoted by the March for Science planned for Earth Day, April 22."

CERF has joined 285 organizations in support of robust investments in scientific research. The letter to U.S. Congressional Leaders emphasizes the importance of America's research enterprise in our prosperity, including its contribution to job creation and commercial growth, and its role in U.S. competitiveness and innovation in a global economy. The letter urges the U.S. Congress to reject recently proposed cuts by the Administration and promote bipartisan support for sufficient research funding in FY17 and FY18. View full letter.

CERF is pleased to announce a new comprehensive program for enhancing the diversity and inclusion of our scientific society and CERF conferences, Rising TIDES (Toward an Inclusive, Diverse, and Enriched Society).

The overall goals of Rising TIDES are to promote opportunities for all underrepresented and underserved minorities while cultivating a culture that actively engages and leverage diversity of all types throughout our organization. Learn more  

Join us this year in Providence, Rhode Island for CERF's 24th Biennial Conference! Registration is now open and the conference website has new information on hotel and travel, field trips, workshops, and more.

The CERF Winter 2017 Newsletter is now available! Learn about CERF 2017 Conference, read up on our upcoming spring webinar, and hear from our Affiliate Societies. Read CERF's Up online today!

 

December 27, 2016

AIBS, 62 Scientific Organizations Write to Trump about Science

The 2016 H. T. Odum Synthesis Essay is now available online and in print in the January 2017 issue of Estuaries and Coasts. The article, by Odum Lifetime Achievement Awardee Joy Zedler (University of Wisconsin-Madison), reviews recent innovations in adaptive management and restoration in coastal and estuarine systems. The essay will be freely available until March 12, and members have access to all of Estuaries and Coasts through the Member Center.

ASN Awards for Support of Regional Meetings in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

The American Society of Naturalists solicits proposals from organizers of regional meetings in the fields of ecology, evolution and behavior. The purpose of these small awards is to promote increased participation in regional meetings that fall along the research interests supported by the ASN and to use this support as a way of recruiting new membership to ASN. The awards typically provide subsidized registration for ASN members at these regional meetings. Please note that these awards are not intended to support workshops. Previous awardees have included meetings such as SEEPEG, SEEC, EVO-WIBO, and OE3C. Organizers of regional meetings should submit a brief proposal describing the research focus of the meeting for which funds are requested as well as details of the meeting such as anticipated number of participants, meeting venue and dates.

Instructions: Proposals should include two components. One should clearly describe the (1) overlap of the regional meeting with ASN research interests, (2) extent that the support would reach out to new audiences to grow ASN's membership, and (3) potential size of the impact on ASN membership. The second component should include a brief budget justifying the amount requested and detailing how the funds will be used. To standardize the applications, there is a strict one-page limit (US Letter size paper, 1" margins, standard [e.g., Times] 12-point font, and no more than six lines per inch) for each component (i.e., 1 page for proposal, 1 page for budget description and use of funds). We anticipate funding 4-6 awards, typically valued at $2000-$3000. Please send proposals to the ASN Regional Society Liaison Committee Chair Rebecca Kimball by Feb. 15.

We are now accepting nominations for our prestigious science awards, including two new awards:

• Odum Award – Lifetime Achievement
• Cronin Award – Early Achievement
• William A. Niering – Outstanding Educator
• Donald W. Pritchard Award – Physical Oceanography Paper
• Margaret A. Davidson Award – Stewardship (individual)
• Coastal Stewardship Award – Stewardship (organization)

More details, including nominations procedures and past recipients, can be found on the CERF website. 

In late November, the Consortiuim of Aquatic Sciences Socieities (CASS) wrote a Letter of Comment to President-Elect Trump about its concern for the future of the nation's aquatic resources. SWS President Gillian Davies signed the letter in support. Read the full letter here.

The CERF Fall 2016 Newsletter is now available! Learn about CERF's partnerships and alliances, read up on our new webinar series, and hear from our Affiliate Societies. Read CERF's Up online today!

CERF 2017-2019 Governing Board Elections

You are invited to nominate the names of colleagues whom you would like to see considered for the next leaders of the Federation. Self-nominations are also welcome. Current President-Elect, Hilary Neckles, welcomes your suggestions for candidates for: 

• President-Elect (2017-2019), 6-year term, two each as President-Elect, President, and Past President
• Secretary (2017-2019), 2-year term
• Member-at-Large (2017-2021), 4-year term. Two positions, including International* Member-at-Large
• Student Member-at-Large (2017-2019), 2-year term

*International Members-at-Large must reside outside of the United States.

CERF will continue to post jobs for free for both members and non-members.

Interested in posting a job?

The Wetland Foundation is soliciting applications for 2017 travel grants. Applications are being accepted from any student who is currently enrolled at an academic institution in the United States and who meets the specific criteria for one of the four grants listed below. For more information, visit The Wetland Foundation website. Application deadline is December 18, 2016.

Conference Travel Grant Type 1 ($800): For advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have never attended a wetland scientific conference and who have limited funds for travel

 Congratulations to our 2016 Photo Contest Winners and Honorable Mentions!

Category 1: What does coastal and estuarine science mean to you?

WINNER: Adam Obaza

Help us celebrate National Estuaries Week (NEW), September 17-24, by joining our social media campaign. CERF is joining forces with Restore America's Estuaries, the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association, the Association of National Estuary Programs, and many others to build support for and awareness of estuaries as special coastal places. 

Share your science to a broader audience by posting and tweeting during NEW! Use #EstuariesWeek and #EstuaryLove, and tag CERF (Twitter: @CERFScience, Facebook @CERF.Estuaries.Coasts). We're especially excited to see videos and photos from our members, so get out those cell phones and start recording! 

The CERF Summer 2016 Newsletter is now available! Learn about CERF's partnerships and alliances, read up on our new webinar series, and hear from our Affiliate Societies. Read CERF's Up online today!

Want to make an important contribution to the CERF community and host your own session at CERF 2017? Please visit our Call for Sessions webpage for more information on special session topics and how to submit a proposal!