Capacity Building
OBFS connects field station leaders for hands-on, peer-to-peer learning to advance research, field-based education, and public service.
Results: Station exchange visits provide early career field station managers with the opportunity to learn from more experienced station managers about a wide variety of topics, including strategic topics (e.g., how to better integrate DEI) and hands-on topics (e.g., how to maintain buildings in harsh, remote environments).
Since 2023, through the matching program, OBFS has supported 12 station exchange visits that focus on cross-training, operational shadowing, technical skill development, and relationship building. As a part of these visits, field stations have developed manuals, including the Wildlife Monitoring Program Handbook and the Outreach and Education Guidebook. These help field stations manage resources more uniformly and efficiently.
See below for current OBFS capacity building opportunities funded by key OBFS partners and collaborators.
If you would like to support these impactful programs and opportunities, we'd love to partner with you! Please contact the OBFS Development Coordinator (grants@obfs.org)
Current Capacity Building Grant Opportunities
OBFS Station Exchange Program (SXP)
The OBFS Station Exchange Program provides travel awards for field station leaders and staff to visit other field stations in the OBFS network for shadowing, cross-training, and mentoring opportunities. Reciprocal (two-way) field station visits are highly encouraged and will receive priority.
OBFS Matching Program
The OBFS Matching Program develops a projects that benefit the broader OBFS and field station community by bring member field stations together to collaborate and create. The goal of the program is to connect stations navigating similar challenges to create materials that enable all field stations overcome these challenges.