99th ESA Annual Meeting (August 10 -- 15, 2014)

SS 13

IMPACT: It’s Yours to Make

The impact of our scientific legacy outside the university has become increasingly important to funders, to society, and to ourselves. Many of us work in habitats that are affected by climate change, degraded by development, or otherwise anthropogenically altered. For some of us, these changes are the focus of our work. But for others, making the connection between our understanding of ecological systems and playing a role in their protection remains elusive. If you have wanted to find a meaningful way to engage in ecologically-based protection of ecosystems, this session is for you. The session will consist of an initial presentation by the session leader, followed by presentations from a senior attorney whose international NGO relies on scientific expertise to challenge harmful projects, and a senior scientist who has successfully lent outside support from within academia. Following the presentations, there will be a moderated discussion on strategies for engagement by the ecological community. Discussion will be organized around three elements of impact: 1) knowing your science; 2) knowing your audience, and 3) being able to anticipate the ramifications of your actions. The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide is an international network of public interest attorneys working in their respective countries to strengthen environmental laws and enhance protection for ecosystems and the communities dependent upon them. The network relies on scientists to help lawyers and communities understand and articulate the value of habitats in jeopardy. This session will provide information for ecologists wishing to engage their expertise in this context.