The OBFS Human Diversity Award provides recognition for unique activities, programs, or approaches (funded or unfunded) that increases the involvement, engagement, and sustainability of underrepresented groups in field science. Broadly speaking, underrepresented groups in field science may include, but are not limited to, ethnic minorities (African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and others), women, first-generation college students, inner-city youth, disadvantaged rural communities, K-12 groups, tribal colleges, community colleges, undergraduate institutions with small programs, and citizen monitoring programs.

Promoting Human Diversity may be accomplished by disseminating materials and using, rearranging, or creating infrastructure to facilitate transitions between the field and classroom. Activities should stimulate both applied and individualized approaches to experiential scientific learning. We will also recognize stations that demonstrate how retention and application of new scientific concepts are promoted to facilitate further discovery and increase scientific dialogue among diverse user groups. This may include a pedagogy for the basic knowledge needed by underrepresented groups to address the current challenges in environmental and natural resources management and research at all educational levels (K-12, undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education).

In addition to the honor and recognition of peers, the  OBFS Human Diversity Award includes a permanent plaque for the winning station; an official award letter that can be included in the official materials, grant applications of the winning station; a second traveling OBFS plaque that will record previous winners and be housed at the most recent recipients facility; and recognition on the OBFS website.  The award may include a travel reimbursement of up to $1000 for the awardee to attend the annual OBFS meeting if travel funds are limiting for the winning institution. Due to COVID-19, travel funds will be allocated for the 2022 in-person meeting and the winning institution will be recognized at the 2021 OBFS virtual conference.