Spring 2001 
Spring 2001
The National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML) and the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) held a special briefing in Washington D.C. February 20th, 2001 on a rapidly growing ecological and economic problem in the United States – that of non-native invasive species. The briefing lasted from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building Gold Room. At the briefing James Carlton, for NAML and Hilary Swain, for OBFS, each gave a 30-minute presentations focused one on aquatic and marine invasive species, and on terrestrial invasive species, respectively. Their talks encompassed the research, education and public outreach roles of marine laboratories and field stations and our understanding of the threats posed by invasive species and the mechanisms for their control. They highlighted the recent work of The National Invasive Species Council, authorized by Executive Order in 1999, and discussed the damage done by invasive species, which runs into billions of dollars a year. Following their presentations, a panel of four other experts – Susan Williams from Bodega Marine Lab, Henry Lee from the EPA, Jack Stanford from Flathead Lake Biological Station and Randy Curtis from The Nature Conservancy joined them for an open question and answer period.
Staff from the House, Senate and many federal agencies join OBFS and NAML members in the Rayburn House Office Building Gold Room in Washington D.C. for a Feb 20th special briefing on invasive species. Photo Sedra Shapiro
We had an outstanding turn-out with the room
packed to capacity – among those who checked in were 17 staff from Representative’s
offices, 8 staff from Senator’s offices, 6 Senate Committee staffers, 24
representatives from federal agencies including NSF, and 7 from non-profits
and others. Representing OBFS at the briefing were Hilary Swain (President)
Jack Stanford and Art McKee (Past Presidents), Eric Nagy (Vice President), and
members Sedra Shapiro, Marge Holland as well as Bill Michener from the LTER
office. Joining OBFS representatives were a large cadre of the NAML board and
NAML members who held their D.C. meeting in conjunction with the briefing. This
was an opportunity for staffers to learn more about invasive species and about
the roles of marine laboratories and terrestrial field stations in their states.
Full credit goes to all those OBFS members who called and got their local congressional
staff to attend (anyone who wants a full list of attendees and contact information
please email tfleischer@archbold-station.org). A reception followed in Rayburn
338 where staff and OBFS and NAML members continued their conversation and questions.
Both the OBFS and the NAML displays were posted at the reception and other material
was available about marine labs and field stations.
On behalf of OBFS and NAML we intend to follow up with all attendees and also
those who RSVP’d but did not sign in and send further information and material.
OBFS field stations are also encouraged to further develop their congressional
contacts as a result of this initial effort. OBFS and NAML have decided to try
this again in two years (we also learned some lessons about how to make future
briefings even more successfully).
-Hilary Swain
Archbold Biological Station
Panelists (left to right) at the Feb 20th 2001 OBFS/NAML special briefing on invasive species were Hilary Swain (OBFS), Randy Curtis (TNC), Susan Williams (Bodega Marine Lab), Henry Lee (EPA), James Carlton (NAML) and Jack Stanford (OBFS). Photo by Sedra Shapiro