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Natural History, Paleoecology, Policy, Rangeland Ecology, and Urban Ecosystem
Ecology) have also organized symposia at annual meetings that explore the societal
relevance of their subdisciplines in an Earth Stewardship context.
Since the launching of the Earth Stewardship Initiative, there has been a gradual
increase in the number of ESA sections actively involved in the initiative. During
the past 5 years, topics of symposia, which are generally co-sponsored by multiple
ESA sections, have gradually evolved from conceptualization to implementation to
evaluation of Earth Stewardship approaches (Box
12.2
). In general, the involvement
of ESA sections has broadened the leadership and intellectual framework of the
Earth Stewardship Initiative and has led to more diverse pathways for engagement
of ESA members in its implementation.
The 2014 meeting included a demonstration project for the application of eco-
system stewardship and other aspects of ecology: “Cities that work for people and
ecosystems.” Using the American River Parkway that runs through downtown
Sacramento CA, the project demonstrates how ecological research, working at the
intersection between ecological science and urban design, can monitor and adjust
management practices using ecological principles, in order to work toward sustain-
ability goals.
ESA's Public Affairs offi ce sponsors or co-sponsors congressional briefi ngs on
topics relevant to the Earth Stewardship Initiative, taking advantage of its
Washington, D.C.-based policy offi ce and the expertise represented by its members.
Recent briefi ngs have included topics such as water resources, climate-change
impacts and adaptation, and improvement of fl ood management. Field trips and
exhibits targeting policy makers are another way that ESA tries to broaden its
impact. The ESA Offi ce of Science Programs focuses its activities on advancing
ecological science, but also on projects that link ecological research and manage-
ment communities to more effectively integrate ecological science into decision-
making and education. Its third category of activities focuses on solutions for
sustainability, through a series of activities that examine and articulate the intellec-
tual foundations for a new sustainability science. Since 2008 the Education and
Diversity Programs Offi ce has coordinated workshops, webinars, and speaking
tours to promote the future of continental-scale science and education primarily to
undergraduate institutions and underrepresented audiences in ecology. Its project on
the Future of Environmental Decisions also included graduate students.
12.4
Moving Beyond Ecology
Recognizing that Earth Stewardship must be much broader than ecology, ESA
began a series of efforts to collaborate with other disciplines and practices. This
began with a symposium on scientifi c foundations of Earth Stewardship organized
jointly with physical scientists at the 2010 annual meeting of the American
Geophysical Union (AGU). This symposium highlighted readily implementable
opportunities for biophysical collaborations to address Earth Stewardship. One such
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