OBFS Statement of Solidarity and Commitment

The Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) stands with women who have come forward about their sexual harassment and assault, and commends you for your bravery to shine light on these injustices. Moreover, we want to support all those who have suffered similar experiences and to acknowledge the harm caused. The OBFS leadership and community are appalled and deeply disturbed by the recent reports of sexual harassment and abuses at the  Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Barro Colorado Island field station. We also recognize this is not unique to STRI, as 75% of field scientists and trainees have experienced harassment and assault¹.

As an organization, OBFS is committed to illuminating and supporting marginalized and often silenced voices, and is striving to end sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination in affiliated field stations and marine labs.

OBFS acknowledges our own shortcomings in taking responsibility for allowing this culture to persist, and recognizes the need to look at our internal policies and practices that enable sexual harassment and assault. As stated in our mission, OBFS is working with community members around the world to enhance inclusivity, equity, diversity, and accessibility of field stations and marine laboratories. We seek to continually reflect on and prioritize these issues, as we begin implementing our OBFS Strategic Plan (2021-2026).

For far too long, victims of sexual harassment have been silenced while harmful behaviors by  perpetrators have been ignored. Field stations and marine laboratories should not be spaces where sexual harassment and assault are allowed to occur. However, OBFS recognizes that the culture of field stations has enabled sexual harassment and assault.

We recognize that OBFS needs to take a proactive leadership role in ending sexual harassment and assault.

We commit to the following steps going forward:

Action item 1: These reports have catalyzed our efforts to critically review our current policies
and bylaws. We are reviewing our harassment prevention and response and membership policies
to identify appropriate mechanisms for sanctions as well as criteria for station membership.

Action item 2: We continue to promote our community’s expertise in harassment prevention and
response. We strongly recommend all stations develop robust anti-harassment policies, reporting
structures, and support for targets of harassment and assault. Stations are encouraged to read the
Report of the Workshop to Promote Safety in Field Stations to understand current best practices
in harassment prevention and response. We encourage stations and field facilities to ensure that
all employees and visitors are fully aware of station policies, reporting mechanisms, and avenues
for support.

Action item 3: We will prioritize increasing our offerings of resources and trainings
surrounding diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, as well as best practices for harassment
prevention and response.

Action item 4: While STRI is not currently an OBFS station member, we nevertheless feel that
OBFS should take a leadership role regarding all reports of harassment and assault at field
stations. We are therefore reviewing all of our options for how to hold STRI and other stations
accountable, and how to best support targets of sexual harassment and assault.

We lean on the powerful statements of support and recommendations distributed by colleagues including (the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation, STRI Staff Scientists, and the Ecological Society of America) condemning the behavior allowed and perpetuated at STRI.

December 31, 2021 is the deadline for adding your signature to an open letter to the White House Gender Policy Council on Reforms at STRI, Smithsonian Institution, and in the Sciences in General. OBFS welcomes suggestions to continue to improve the culture and climate of the field station community. To offer feedback or for assistance with sexual harassment policies and related areas, please reach out to members of the OBFS Board and IDEA+ (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) Committee.

● Chris Lorentz OBFS Board President [email protected]
● Tori McDermott IDEA+ Committee co-chair [email protected]
● Phoebe Jekielek IDEA+ Committee co-chair [email protected]

In conclusion, OBFS strongly condemns the behavior, policies, and culture that led to decades of
sexual abuse and harrassment on BCI and is striving to create safe, accessible, and welcoming
field stations and marine labs for our entire community.

Sincerely,
Members of the OBFS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA+) Committee and the
OBFS Board of Directors

¹ Clancy, K. B., Nelson, R. G., Rutherford, J. N., & Hinde, K. (2014). Survey of academic field
experiences (SAFE): Trainees report harassment and assault. PloS ONE, 9(7), e102172.
htttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102172

OBFS Statement of Solidarity and Commitment

The Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) stands with women who have come forward about their sexual harassment and assault, and commends you for your bravery to shine light on these injustices. Moreover, we want to support all those who have suffered similar experiences and to acknowledge the harm caused. The OBFS leadership and community are appalled and deeply disturbed by the recent reports of sexual harassment and abuses at the  Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Barro Colorado Island field station. We also recognize this is not unique to STRI, as 75% of field scientists and trainees have experienced harassment and assault¹.

As an organization, OBFS is committed to illuminating and supporting marginalized and often silenced voices, and is striving to end sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination in affiliated field stations and marine labs.

OBFS acknowledges our own shortcomings in taking responsibility for allowing this culture to persist, and recognizes the need to look at our internal policies and practices that enable sexual harassment and assault. As stated in our mission, OBFS is working with community members around the world to enhance inclusivity, equity, diversity, and accessibility of field stations and marine laboratories. We seek to continually reflect on and prioritize these issues, as we begin implementing our OBFS Strategic Plan (2021-2026).

For far too long, victims of sexual harassment have been silenced while harmful behaviors by  perpetrators have been ignored. Field stations and marine laboratories should not be spaces where sexual harassment and assault are allowed to occur. However, OBFS recognizes that the culture of field stations has enabled sexual harassment and assault.

We recognize that OBFS needs to take a proactive leadership role in ending sexual harassment and assault.

We commit to the following steps going forward:

Action item 1: These reports have catalyzed our efforts to critically review our current policies
and bylaws. We are reviewing our harassment prevention and response and membership policies
to identify appropriate mechanisms for sanctions as well as criteria for station membership.

Action item 2: We continue to promote our community’s expertise in harassment prevention and
response. We strongly recommend all stations develop robust anti-harassment policies, reporting
structures, and support for targets of harassment and assault. Stations are encouraged to read the
Report of the Workshop to Promote Safety in Field Stations to understand current best practices
in harassment prevention and response. We encourage stations and field facilities to ensure that
all employees and visitors are fully aware of station policies, reporting mechanisms, and avenues
for support.

Action item 3: We will prioritize increasing our offerings of resources and trainings
surrounding diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, as well as best practices for harassment
prevention and response.

Action item 4: While STRI is not currently an OBFS station member, we nevertheless feel that
OBFS should take a leadership role regarding all reports of harassment and assault at field
stations. We are therefore reviewing all of our options for how to hold STRI and other stations
accountable, and how to best support targets of sexual harassment and assault.

We lean on the powerful statements of support and recommendations distributed by colleagues including (the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation, STRI Staff Scientists, and the Ecological Society of America) condemning the behavior allowed and perpetuated at STRI.

December 31, 2021 is the deadline for adding your signature to an open letter to the White House Gender Policy Council on Reforms at STRI, Smithsonian Institution, and in the Sciences in General. OBFS welcomes suggestions to continue to improve the culture and climate of the field station community. To offer feedback or for assistance with sexual harassment policies and related areas, please reach out to members of the OBFS Board and IDEA+ (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) Committee.

● Chris Lorentz OBFS Board President [email protected]
● Tori McDermott IDEA+ Committee co-chair [email protected]
● Phoebe Jekielek IDEA+ Committee co-chair [email protected]

In conclusion, OBFS strongly condemns the behavior, policies, and culture that led to decades of
sexual abuse and harrassment on BCI and is striving to create safe, accessible, and welcoming
field stations and marine labs for our entire community.

Sincerely,
Members of the OBFS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA+) Committee and the
OBFS Board of Directors

¹ Clancy, K. B., Nelson, R. G., Rutherford, J. N., & Hinde, K. (2014). Survey of academic field
experiences (SAFE): Trainees report harassment and assault. PloS ONE, 9(7), e102172.
htttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102172

Position Overview:

The Cedar Creek LTER (Long Term Ecological Research Network) has several opportunities for students to work as plant community ecology interns. Most positions run from June through August, but some interns are needed as early as March, and some are needed through October. As a research intern, you will contribute to ongoing field experiments, may have the opportunity to initiate individual research, attend scientific seminars, and interact with professors, post-docs, and graduate students. Pay is $15.00 per hour. On-site dormitory housing is available to rent.

Research Overview:

Cedar Creek LTER research examines ecological processes occurring from the individual physiological level to the ecosystem level in response to (1) a variety of climate change scenarios including elevated CO2, increased temperature, increased nitrogen deposition, biodiversity loss, and altered precipitation patterns; (2) land management practices including prescribed burning and agricultural production; and (3) varied land use histories. Some of these projects include the Big Biodiversity experiment, BioCON, and FAB (https://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/research). Research is headed by a number of faculty from research institutions across the United States. These LTER projects are funded by the National Science Foundation and other sources. For more information about LTER please visit https://lternet.edu/.

Independent Project Opportunities:

As part of these positions, you will have the opportunity to conduct your own research project with the guidance of a graduate student mentor. You can go through the entire research experience from writing a proposal to data collection to presenting your results at a symposium at CCESR. There will be workshops on different aspects of research. 

Research site:

Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is an eight square mile tract of land 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. Cedar Creek is endowed with a diverse mosaic of prairie, savanna, sedge meadows, bogs, open water, forests, and even abandoned agricultural fields. Its large size, great natural diversity, and uniform soil substrate make it ideal for ecosystem studies. To learn more detailed information about experiments, researchers, and the Cedar Creek area please visit our website at www.cedarcreek.umn.edu. 

To apply for the intern positions please visit our website, z.umn.edu/ccjobs. The deadline for application submission is February 21st. For those interested in a spring position, please apply by February 7th. For any questions regarding the internships or application please email [email protected] or call 612-301-2616. 

2022 Spring Jobs: Prescribed Burn Technician
Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, a field station of the University of Minnesota, is looking for four
to six technicians to assist in our spring prescribed burn program.  The positions could start anywhere
from March 14 th  to April 4 th  and end around mid-May (start and end dates are weather dependent). This
is a 40 hour per week position but the hours are variable, especially on days we burn. There is the
possibility of overtime on intense burn weeks.   Housing is available to rent on-site. Pay is $15 per hour.
If you have graduated or are not currently enrolled in classes we encourage you to apply.
The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve itself is an eight square mile tract of land 35 miles north of
the Twin Cities. Because of its fortunate location in mid-continent at the triple meeting point of three
great biomes of North America, it carries much of the continent's biological heritage. Cedar Creek is
endowed with a diverse mosaic of prairie, savanna, sedge meadows, bogs, open water, forests, and
even abandoned agricultural fields. Its large size, great natural diversity, and uniform soil substrate
make it ideal for ecosystem studies. 
Of Cedar Creek’s 5175 acres, we manage about 900 acres through prescribed burning.  Our burns consist
of oak savanna, prairies, restoration units, and experimental plots that are on some type of burning
frequency.   Our prescribed burns can range from ¼ of an acre to 100 acres in size.   We burn
approximately 500 acres annually. 
Main Duties: 
 Prepping burn units.
 Assisting in burning the units.
 Monitoring and mopping up the units after burning. 
 
Other Duties:
 Research field help.  Assist with various field research tasks, i.e. weeding, mowing, etc.
 Fire road maintenance. Clearing brush and trees to make fire roads safer for burning and driving.
Qualifications:
 Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
 Must be willing to work long hours and have a flexible schedule.

To apply for the intern positions please visit our website, z.umn.edu/ccjobs. The deadline
for application submission is February 7 th . For any questions regarding the internships or
application please email [email protected] or call 612-301-2616.