A Comprehensive Analysis of U.S. Biological Field Station Goals, Operations, Land Management, and Recreational Opportunities

Abstract

There is a project aimed to protect thirty percent of the planet’s lands and oceans by 2030. This project, known as The Thirty by Thirty Project (30x30), stemmed from the Paris Climate Agreement and was developed by the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity. Several projects have used the 30x30 framework as a start to their efforts to prevent the extinction crisis and address climate change, conservation, and sustainability (Galloway, 2021). Within the US, there are various types of land stewards that contribute to the 30x30 goal. For the purpose of this research, we are solely focusing on U.S. biological field stations. Field stations are outdoor environmental research, teaching, and engagement centers (OBFS, 2024). Historically, they have been established and run by individual universities, government agencies, NGOs, or private research institutions. In the U.S., field stations are located in a variety of ecosystems and habitats. The range of field stations across the continent have supported research that has contributed to decades of data, specimens, and knowledge (Mitchener, 2009). The Organization of Biological Field Stations is a community of 313 field stations across the U.S. and U.S. territories designed to connect, network, and help field stations to focus on research and their common goals. Unfortunately, the combined contribution of research stations have been overlooked due to their independence and sometimes isolated community of researchers. With little summary documentation about field stations as a system, they can be a bit of a mystery (National Research Council, 2014), resulting in unknown information about their missions, conservation goals and issues, contribution to 30x30 goals, land management, and collaborations. Recognizing gaps in the literature, we developed a study to document and investigate the following; 1) background and missions, 2) conservation issues and land management strategies, 3) collaborative partnerships, and 4) outdoor recreation opportunities of field stations. Findings from this survey reveal field stations share common goals in research, education, community, outreach, conservation and management. Most respondents report active land management and goals, with invasive species management and active forest and hydrological restoration and manipulation being common. Current literature highlights the research, education, outreach mission and goals, but seldom mentions how active land management on field stations is or can be used as a tool to achieve these ends.