You don’t have to go to Washington to have an impact on public policy. Ecologists’ perspectives are valuable in a diverse range of issues, sometime in places that you might not expect. With examples from the PNW region and beyond, this session will feature short presentations from ecologists embedded in the ecology and policy nexus from local, state, and regional institutions/organizations. This will be followed by a roundtable and networking discussion where participants can talk with speakers in small groups to hear first hand from ecologists that have worked or currently work in public policy positions and/or have the desire to learn more about engaging in the policy process. This session is meant to facilitate an exchange of ideas and to learn from each other, with an overview of state and local science policy and opportunities to engage in your own region and reach out to policy-makers. Discussion topics will include opportunities for real-world applications of ecological science, how science gets transferred and made useful to policy-makers, how decision makers use ecology, facilitation of two-way communication between ecologists and users of our science, and common challenges in the process. This is a great opportunity if you are interested in an alternate career pathway, considering trying a new experience, or interested in improving your understanding of the role of ecology (and science in general) in policy. We will also provide additional instructional materials and resources that will enable participants to get involved in policy in their own region.