Water, the environment, and natural resources are critical issues for present and future generations, especially with a projected doubling in the US population. An ecologically literate public will be needed to make informed decisions on a variety of issues as resources become limited. Yet, >85% of US citizens will live in urban areas and children will have decreasing contact with nature. The disconnect between children and nature has important health and career ramifications (Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods). Field Stations and Marine Labs (FSMLs) may be important mechanisms to reconnect urban youth with nature and foster increased interest in science and ecology. The Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) has over 200 station members in North America, many with environmental education programs serving teachers, K-20+, the public, and universities. Diverse programs provide innovative educational experiences that immerse learners into authentic, real-world, hands-on activities that stimulate imagination and understanding of difficult, abstract concepts associated with science, ecology, and natural resources. Integrating research with the educational experiences at FSMLs is in the early stages of implementation for K-12, but there are numerous successful undergraduate and graduate programs. The session will include case studies of successful K-20 programs, examples and discussion of mechanisms to better integrate ecology education and research, (especially for lower grade levels) and show how FSML curricula can be based on state essential knowledge skills associated with the No Child Left Behind Act. Field Station programs associated with the LTER Network and Schoolyard programs and interaction with ESA’s SEEDS program to diversify and advance the profession of ecology through opportunities that stimulate and nurture the interest of underrepresented student will be described. Field Stations and OBFS provide an additional outlet for LTER, National Ecological Observatory Network, and National Phenology Network educational goals to be articulated and presented. This session will feature a panel of distinguished ecologists, field station directors, educators, and a SEEDS student. Each speaker will entertain questions from the panel and audience. A final panel discussion will focus on elements of a strategic initiative that integrates and develops all levels of FSML education, outreach, and research activities as a component of ESA’s and other scientific organizations' efforts to improve ecological and scientific literacy of a public and generation increasingly removed from the natural resources on which they depend.