Organization of Biological Field Stations

The  OBFS Human Diversity Committee promotes and encourages activities, programs and approaches that increase the involvement and engagement of underrepresented groups in field science.

Links:

• 'Manual of Best Practices for Recruiting and Retaining Underrepresented Groups in Ecology and the Environmental Sciences', OTS [PDF]

• Minority Access to Research Careers [MARC]

OBFS Human Diversity Award

Founded in 2007, the OBFS Human Diversity Award provides recognition of member stations for unique activities, programs, or approaches (funded or unfunded) that increase the involvement, engagement and sustainability of underrepresented groups in field science. 
The winning station receives a permanent plaque, an award letter that can be included in proposals, promotional materials, etc., and a second traveling OBFS plaque that notes the annual winning stations.

Application for 2012 Human Diversity Award

2012's winner:
Grace Grossman Youth Collaborative, University of Massachusetts Boston Nantucket Field Station
This program serves urban schools throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, providing high-school and middle-school students with a week-long, all expenses paid trip to the UMB-NFS to learn about ecology, the environment, science, and history. 

Past Awardees:

2011 Sagehen Creek Field Station's Adventure Risk Challenge Summer Literacy & Leadership Program
The ARC program objective is to "improve literacy and life skills, expose youth to a range of natural environments and wilderness experiences, and inspire the confidence they need to envision and accomplish goals, succeed in high school, and become engaged, empowered citizens."

2010  Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans (CEDO)

2009 - SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center and Cranberry Lake Biological Station, New York
2008 - Llano River Field Station, Texas

2007 - Organization for Tropical Studies