Alan R. Berkowitz
Institute of Ecosystem Studies

The SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology, Education, Development, and Sustainability) program was initiated when Dan Durret from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Dr. Berkowitz (representing both the ESA and IES) joined forces in 1996 to increase the number of minorities in ecology. This was one of the first collaborative efforts between a scientific professional society and a consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The program has been tremendously successful in establishing ecology programs at 10 HBCU's, recruiting a new group of minority students into ecology graduate programs and careers, developing faculty interest, and giving purpose and direction to the work of the ESA in education and diversity issues. Having nurtured the program through its first 6 years, Dr. Berkowitz and IES are proud to hand it off to the ESA, which already has secured continued funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

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