ORGANIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATIONS INC

One of the most important functions of the OBFS is providing networking capacity among about 130 field stations and 40 individual members throughout the world. The professional field station network is maintained with a website that contains a variety of information, such as a map with the locations of member field stations, examples of field station policies, and information on special events, funding opportunities, and jobs postings. A complete revision of the website was finished in 2024 and the OBFS hired a website administrator contractor ($10,495) to maintain the website and spent $3,572 on website maintenance. Annual meetings are a second way that OBFS maintains a professional network. In 2024 the OBFS annual meeting was held in November (to miss peak hurricane season) at The Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, Georgetown, South Carolina. Final expenses of the 2024 meeting were paid in early 2025 ($32,035). The 2025 annual meeting was held at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado ($8,312). Participants attended workshops on timely topics and heard a variety of speakers and met many other field station managers. Several member stations were recognized for their efforts to increase the involvement, engagement and sustainability of underrepresented groups in field science ($1,504). Travel assistance was given to a small number of Board members without institutional support ($2,875). Early and middle career travel awards were also given to two members to attend the annual meeting ($6,927). The OBFS continues to build connections with the communities where annual meetings are held by holding a local fundraising event in an effort to showcase the work of field stations to the general public ($2,677).

As part of its strategic plan, OBFS worked to increase its international presence. OBFS made a concerted effort to increase international membership by establishing an International Matching Program (Resources spent in 2025 = $16,578). This program brings two or more stations together to deepen networking opportunities throughout our international community or jump start multi-year research projects or collaborations across diverse lands and expertise. Findings from visits are presented at "Virtual Cafe" talks four times annually. These talks are simultaneously translated into English or Spanish ($450). A second related program, the Station Exchange program, provides travel awards for field station staff to visit other field stations in the OBFS network for shadowing, cross-training, and mentoring opportunities as a way to connect with peers (Resources spent in 2025 = $7,831). Finally, OBFS established a mini-grants program to support small research or infrastructure projects that support strategic planning goals (Resources spent in 2025 = $11,300). OBFS is an all volunteer organization and spent $3,422 in office administrative expenses.