Influencing Science Policy

2023 Graduate Student Policy Award winners outside the office of Senator Tim Kaine

One of ESA’s strategic priorities is to address environmental challenges by promoting the use of ecological science. Our goal is to communicate ecological knowledge relevant for decision-making to policymakers, resource managers, and the public. Every year, our Public Affairs Office, Policy Section, and dedicated members—especially those on the Public Affairs Committee and Rapid Response Team—work tirelessly to advocate for policies that are informed by sound ecological science. These efforts exemplify our commitment to integrating ecological science into policy decisions and fostering a robust dialogue between scientists and policymakers.

In 2023, we continued to play a pivotal role in influencing science policy. Our efforts included the submission of 25 advocacy letters, both independently and with allied organizations, as part of our ongoing outreach to government officials. We issued three official statements on key environmental issues and, through input submitted by ESA members during open calls, provided expert comments on the National Nature Assessment and the Biodiversity and Climate Change Assessment.

Our work at the 2023 Annual Meeting included 10 policy events that drew significant participation from attendees. These included courses on engaging with policymakers, special sessions on navigating policy careers, and contributed talks analyzing policy impacts. The most notable event was a town hall on the National Nature Assessment with Jane Lubchenco from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Very literally close to home (as in, headquarters!) we had 15 winners of the Graduate Student Policy Award in our annual two-day event in DC. These emerging leaders received hands-on training from staff and highly experienced ESA members, then applied what they learned over 30 meetings with Congressional staff on Capitol Hill.

ESA’s influence also extended to the international stage. As we had in 2022, we secured 10 observer badges for COP28, the United Nations’ 28th Congress of Parties on climate, which allowed members to directly observe the processes by which international policy is made.