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National Field Trips

The Henry L. Gholz SEEDS National Field Trips

The SEEDS program hosts National Field Trips to bring undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and interest to explore the science of ecology. We sponsor diverse students currently enrolled in undergraduate studies at a US institution to travel to different research stations to engage with scientists and professional with hand on learning experiences and workshops to discuss career development and the future of our science field. Diverse People for a Diverse Science!

Read more about our past SEEDS Field Trips. 

SEEDS National Field Trip to the

University of Virginia, Coastal Research Center!

May 1-4, 2025

2019 SEEDS Leadership Meeting at the UVA Coastal Research Center

The SEEDS program is excited to announce a new National Field Trip from May 1-4, 2025 to the University of Virginia, Coastal Research Center! Located at the edge of the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay near Cape Charles, VA. Since 2006, this field station specializes in the study of long-term dynamics of the barrier islands, lagoons, marshes, and watersheds that shape this constantly changing coastline. Also home to the Virginia Coast Reserve LTER and the worlds largest successful seagrass restoration project this field station offers the perfect location to explore these unique coastal environments. The amazing research team at the CRC is eager to host our SEEDS students and share some hands-on science experience!

The UVA Coastal Research Center provides laboratory and dormitory facilities, logistics and technical support to visiting researchers and students from various institutions and agencies. The CRC provides research access to the coastal barrier system along Virginia’s Atlantic Coast. Tides, winds, and frequent storms cause sea level variations that affect over 70% of the coastal land area. These major and ongoing landscape changes provide a living laboratory for natural experiments along the coast. The station’s position in a regional hot spot for sea level rise places it at the epicenter of urgent conversations about how we can best inform the future of coastal communities, making the CRC a nexus for burgeoning conversations about coastal resilience in the mid-Atlantic and beyond.

 

Note: The UVA Coastal Research Center is located in a fairly remote area, there might not be cell phone coverage, but there is WIFI at the station. Housing will be shared. We will be boarding small boats to reach the barrier islands and coastal marshes. You will be guided to conduct a group research project and present to your peers. 

Eligibility

  • Must be a current undergraduate student enrolled in an Associates or Bachelors degree at a college/university within the United States.
  • Preference is given to first and second year, and those that have NOT had opportunities to engage in ecology research or field experience.
  • Students from underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

SEEDS looks for future leaders within the science of ecology, a strong candidate must demonstrate: 

  • A sincere interest in exploring a career in ecology.
  • The potential to contribute to the ecology program at their home institution and in their communities. 
  • The capacity to support the mission of SEEDS – to stimulate and nurture the interest of underrepresented students to participate and be leaders in ecology 
  • A strong statement of interest essay. 
  • Students applying from SEEDS Chapters have a higher chance of being selected. To check the status of your SEEDS Chapter, please visit our Chapter Map. 

Logistics for the Field Trip 

The SEEDS Program will cover all the selected participants expenses for this field trip including travel, lodging, ground transportation and meals. This is a fully funded opportunity, students who are chosen to participate will work with SEEDS staff to arrange their travel itineraries, housing preferences, ground transportation, and dietary needs. SEEDS staff establishes an agenda with the station host and takes care of all the necessary arrangements for a great participant experience!

You just need to worry about making it to and from your home airport. 

Field Trip Agenda includes:

  • Science Workshops and discussions 
  • Hands-on field research experience
  • Cultural components to the location we visit.
  • Career panel discussion with professionals and graduate students
  • Student presentations
  • Reflections on motivations students face in science
  • Time for group daily journal entries which are then compiled into a single report

Applications Materials

These are the materials you will need to complete the application for this field trip. 

  • Applicant contact and academic information.
  • Statement of Interest: In a short (up to 400 word) essay(1) describe the nature of research that you intend to pursue; (2) specify how this Field Trip experience would further your educational and career goals; (3) summarize your ecology experience thus far (activities, coursework, research or work experience, etc.); (4) explain how you will contribute to the mission of the SEEDS program during and after the Field Trip. Uploaded in PDF format. 
  • Resume or CV. Uploaded in PDF format. 
  • Reference: Name and email contact of a professional reference. 

Click on the APPLY image above to visit our application portal. 

The application portal will close on February 10, 2025 at midnight EST.

SEEDS National Field Trips are funded by the National Science Foundation