Welcome to the Society for Conservation Biology Policy web site.
The goal of the Society is to bring vital science to those making policy decisions helping them make sound judgments when creating policy.
An overview of SCB's Policy Approval Process is available here.
After reviewing the policy page and resources, one of the most effective ways you can bring science to policymakers is to establish relationships with your government officials wherever you are.
In the U.S., for example, citizens can get to know their Senators, Members of Congress and agency officials working on issues they care about most. Under "Policy Tools and Guidelines for SCB Members" on the navigation bar to the left, we have web sites for offices and research reports to help guide you through the international and U.S. federal policy ecosystems. U.S. SCB members may also want to call the Capitol Operator at 202-225-3121, and ask to be connected to the offices of your House Members and Senators and Committees of interest.
The Policy Insider, Spring 2009
Now available, our June 2009 issue of the SCB Policy Insider. This issue features stories on the US climate bill, endangered species rules, integrity of science initiative, & more.
IMCC Individual Scientists sign-on letter
As a part of the Marine Section’s International Marine Conservation Congress, SCB and the Marine Conservation Biology Institute hosted a hill day for conference attendees. Inspired by meetings with congressional staff, SCB and MCBI leaders drafted an individual scientists sign-on letter to request enhanced funding for NOAA. IMCC organizers circulated the letter for conference attendees to sign. While this letter was produced during the IMCC, SCB’s Marine Section may soon develop a more comprehensive request for appropriations.
SCB submits comments on scientific integrity to Obama administration
The Society for Conservation Biology submitted recommendations in mid-May as our part of a drive by President Obama to increase scientific integrity in the executive branch. The scientific integrity initiative was announced at an event in the White House on March 9th, attended by SCB’s Policy Chair John Fitzgerald, where President Obama issued a memorandum instructing the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to make recommendations on ways to strengthen scientific integrity throughout the Executive Branch of Government. Click here to read these comments
SCB sends letter to Secretary Salazar urging him to throw out Bush era ESA rules
SCB along with two other scientific societies sent a letter to Secretary Salazar urging him to discard the Bush era section 7 and 4(d) Endangered Species Act rules and replace them with stronger rules. This letter in turn was based on extensive analysis and comment developed and filed earlier in the year by staff attorneys who are also policy staff for the three scientific societies in conjunction with their scientist colleagues. The letter was released along with letters from environmental groups, an association of law professors, and members of the House and Senate at a press conference on the morning of April 28th. Read the letter here
Congress approves Omnibus Appropriations bill, including measure to allow Obama Administration to by-pass Bush ESA Regulations.
The Senate voted 62-35 to end debate and pass the bill providing funding for a dozen agencies and departments for the rest of Fiscal Year 2009, and included a measure allowing The Obama Administration to withdraw highly controversial Bush Administration regulations promulgated in December of 2009.
An amendment by Sen. Murkowski (R-Alaska) to delete the provision and require a slower process was defeated 42 – 52 last week.
The Obama Administration had already instructed its agencies to continue traditional consultations with expert agencies to protect endangered species but this additional measure removes impediments to the consideration of climate change and also will help restore the integrity of the process designed to prevent federal and federally permitted actions from jeopardizing listed species.
SCB, The Wildlife Society and the Ornithological Union had filed formal comments opposing the Bush regulations last year.
Obama signs Memo on Scientific Integrity, March 9, 2009
President Obama in one memo today has taken several more steps toward implementing SCB's recommendations, and those of our allies, on protecting the integrity of science in the appointment and decision-making process. We will ask a task force of SCB Members to work with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Office of Management and Budget and others to fulfill the promise that the President has made today as they draft more detailed recommendations over the next 120 days. [Read more]
SCB North American President Elect Testifies on Climate Change and Public Lands
On Wednesday, March 3 incoming President of the NA Section, Dominick DellaSala testified in the House subcommittee on national parks, forests, and public lands in a hearing on "combating global warming in public lands."
Dominick was assisted by SCB Policy Director John Fitzgerald and SCB policy intern Calen May Tobin. They made the rounds on the Hill before and after the hearing. There are several bills in the works in both the House and Senate on climate change and the Obama administration is also moving quickly on new policies. SCB is playing a key role in helping to shape these policies by bringing science and scientists to decision makers.
House Natural Resources Committee Membership and Plans for 2009
On February 4, the Committee on Natural Resources held an organizational meeting to adopt the Committee Rules and agree to an oversight plan. Visit the Committee Web site to the view the Committee Members and Subcommittee assignments for the 111th Congress.
SCB Policy Highlight:
SCB makes and presents recommendations for actions to President-elect Obama's transition team
On Thursday December 11th, SCB presented its recommendations to six members of the Presidential Transition Team representing the Interior and Agriculture Departments and EPA teams. SCB Executive Director Alan Thornhill, Policy Director, John Fitzgerald, former North America Policy Chair Dominick DellaSala, and annual conference seminar leader and policy panelist Francesca Grifo summarized the report that they and other contributors had developed to guide the new President and his team as they begin their new Administration. We were assured that they would send the report to all of the affected teams who were not present then from Commerce to Treasury and their various agencies and offices. We may be able to follow this paper with another that will more fully reflect contributions from our chapters and other elements of SCB that we were unable to include when we learned that the transition team needed our material in electronic form as soon as possible, several days before we could brief them on it in person. Read SCB's Recommendations for actions by the Obama Administration and the Congress to advance the scientific foundation for conserving biological diversity.
How can you help? Here's how SCB Members Can Help Deliver SCB's Message to the New Congress and Administration
The SCB Policy Insider is available.
Now available, our January 2009 Newsletter, "SCB makes and presents recommendations for actions to President-elect Obama's transition team", this new newsletter contains a wealth of policy information - General Policy updates, section policy updates and more.
Introductions to U.S. Federal Policy Work
Colleagues of ours at the Ornithological Council and National Council for Science and the Environment have written convenient introductions to the U.S. policy process and how to participate: Policy Basics (pdf) and Blockstein on Advocacy by Scientists (pdf)
A Note from our Policy Director regarding upcoming elections
As we approach election day in the U.S., there are at our disposal more research tools than ever before. The web sites here present just a few of the very useful research tools to help you determine how to cast your votes at the national and state level on November 4th.
As you know, SCB does not endorse candidates for office. We do endorse citizenship.*
No part of our civic duty is more important in a democracy, or even in a country that is working toward democracy, than to cast our votes responsibly and to help others do the same.
Virtually by definition, our members are opinion leaders in their communities and organizations. Our members are also among the best at researching issues that are important to them. Therefore people look to them for advice, guidance and support, particularly on issues affecting the conservation of biological diversity.
I think you will enjoy this bit of research.
John M. Fitzgerald, J.D.
Policy Director
Recent Happenings
Many of the SCB sections are busy at work with their regional policies. Below, you will find links to the SCB Sections' Policy Information:
Please email our Policy Director, John Fitzgerald, if you have any questions.
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