When I was a Ph.D. candidate at Boston University, my advisor, Dr. Richard Primack, and I had a discussion about the lack of dialogue among conservation scientists. Academics, government officials, and non-profit staff seemed to be out of touch with one another's activities. Teachers and communities lacked access to conservation expertise, and researchers had no easy route for sharing their findings with the public, the media, and policy-makers. And even between the neighboring communities of Boston and Cambridge—despite numerous bridges and public transportation—the Charles River was a large enough barrier to prevent collaboration.
Richard suggested that I try to start a Massachusetts chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology. By working together, members of such an organization could provide the leadership required to establish and sustain meaningful conservation efforts.
So, Michelle Frankel (at the time, also a Ph.D. candidate) and I sent out a survey to SCB members in the Commonwealth in order to determine if there was any interest in the formation of a new SCB chapter. The response was encouraging with nearly a 50% response rate, most of whom voiced enthusiastic support. Clearly, SCB members wanted to be kept informed of and involved in conservation initiatives in the region, they wanted opportunities to network, and they wanted a local chapter to coordinate these activities.
An organizational meeting was held in April 1998, with a crowd of about 40 people—many of whom volunteered to take on the responsibilities necessary to get our chapter up and running. Elections were held in the autumn of 1998, and the MassSCB Board met for the first time in January 1999. In the spring of 2000, we achieved 501(c)3 status, enabling us to accept dues and donations.
For a small organization run on volunteer time, MassSCB made several significant contributions to the Commonwealth’s conservation landscape. Our extensive website was established in 1999, providing information ranging from job notices to legislation updates. The first issue of our online journal, Conservation Perspectives, came out in May 2000 and has received widespread praise.
MassSCB has organized several symposia, featuring internationally recognized experts in conservation, as well as a series of Dialogues on Conservation Biology that brings together highly respected conservation biologists and practitioners with different points of view to explore timely issues. In addition, we’ve presented two Conservation Career Days as a service to undergraduate and graduate students, people changing jobs, and conservation organizations with hiring needs. We have co-sponsored additional events and symposia in cooperation with the Center for Ecology and Conservation at Boston University, the Center for Democracy and Public Opinion, and the Salem State College Earth Day Committee. No matter what the occasion, we always include time for networking, and together our events have been attended by hundreds of people.
As our organization grew, we found that without any other active chapters in New England, MassSCB was actually serving many people outside of the state of Massachusetts. No doubt, many of the issues we face affect the entire region—and an early suggestion that we serve the entire region came to be mentioned more frequently and more persistently. Therefore, in 2001 the Board voted to become the New England Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology—or ‘New England SCB’ for short. We are grateful to SCB President Mac Hunter, the SCB Board of Governors and Chapter Liaisons Robert Curry and Paul Beier, for their approval and support. I am pleased to announce that our revised by-laws with our new name were officially approved on September 12, 2002.
As we have been centered in the Boston area to date, we will make a special effort to include members and board members from outside eastern Massachusetts in our growing organization. Of course, this will not be easy; frankly, statewide and region-wide organizations from all walks of life struggle to find a balance between the tug of Boston’s centrality on the one hand and fairness to the wider community on the other. New England SCB will be no exception. To deal with this dilemma, our principal initial strategy will be to ramp up our website to be the premier website for anybody who wants to find information on conservation issues in New England. From scientific databases and individual contacts to pending legislation and employment opportunities, NESCB.org will be your one-stop-shop.
Importantly, we want to be absolutely clear that the establishment of New England SCB does not preclude the establishment of other local chapters within New England. In fact, New England SCB will consider it part of our mission to provide assistance to new local and university chapters within New England. So if you are interested in establishing a new chapter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We will, of course, continue to present symposia, dialogues, and other events. While for the time being these will largely take place in the greater Boston area, we will begin to hold Board meetings around the region and perhaps through video conferencing, as well as sponsor meetings and small conferences throughout New England. Furthermore, with the help of our first employee (a work-study student and Biology major from Salem State College), we are currently creating an on-line Conservation Science Network to serve as a center for resources, speakers, collaborators, media contacts, expert advisors, and opportunities for public education. In this coming year, we would also like to fill the vacant positions on our board, including the Education, Media, and Legal Representative positions, and the chairperson positions for the conservation, advocacy, media, and education committees. At the current time, our leadership is for the most part only one level deep, yet the workload and opportunities are increasing as our membership expands. Please join us!
Our organization is centered on our members. We welcome your participation. Here’s how:
1. Continue to let us know your needs and interests. We are particularly interested in knowing how we can best serve our new members throughout New England. Contact us at www.NESCB.org.
2. Become a member and consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our work.
3. Send a query to the editor of Conservation Perspectives with a suggestion for an article you would like to write.
4. Participate as a committee chairperson, representative position, or board member. Nominate yourself or someone else.
5. Watch for announcements for our Conservation Science Network, and sign-up on-line.
I am proud of the accomplishments of our small group of dedicated, knowledgeable and talented Board Members—and greatly appreciative of the support of our members and donors. With our new role as New England’s focal organization dedicated to the science of conservation biology, our capacity to protect the region’s biodiversity can only expand. I look forward to having you on board as we commence the journey!