User:Sfspip/sandbox

MISSION
The Society for Freshwater Science (SFS; formerly the North American Benthological Society, NABS) promotes science and education in freshwater ecosystems (streams, rivers, reservoirs, lakes and estuaries). Its membership is composed of international scientists and educators working within these aquatic habitats as well as those ecosystems at the interface between freshwater and terrestrial habitats (riparian forests, wetlands, bogs, fens, and urban and agricultural lands). Through both an annual conference and an international scientific journal, the society fosters the exchange of cutting edge research and facilitates discussions among the membership and with other scientists, policy makers, educators, resource managers and the public. Members of the society study organisms, landscapes and processes from the very small (e.g., population genetics) to the very large (e.g., the Amazon watershed). Both basic and applied aspects of their science include theoretical ecological models, ecological restoration, conservation biology, ecosystem science, community ecology, invasive species management and fisheries science.

HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY
In the spring of 1953, 13 charter members founded the Midwest Benthological Society at Havana, Illinois, which would eventually evolve into the Society for Freshwater Science. Originally a regional focus on the Midwest attracted local benthic scientists (the term “benthic” refers to the substrate beneath bodies of water), but quickly expanded to include more regions and scientists from all over the world. This early society was later renamed the North American Benthological Society in 19XX, and then, most recently the Society for Freshwater Science in 2011. This latest name change specifically addresses the fact that society members now study much more than just the benthos, and the focus has become more interdisciplinary and ranges from genes to landscapes. In addition, the focus on small streams has expanded to encompass freshwater habitats of all types as well as linkages between freshwater and saltwater systems and shorelands.

CURRENT SOCIETY
The SFS of today is a premiere international organization representing aquatic scientists working on the cutting edge of fields such as: hydrology and geomorphology, environmental impact assessments; carbon and nutrient dynamics; ecology and taxonomy of microbes, algae, invertebrates, and fish; conservation biology; watershed dynamics; and ecological restoration. Membership in the SFS is approaching 1800 scientists, managers and students from around the world. Members include academics; consultants; federal, state, provincial and municipal employees; and members of non-profit organizations. The Society encourages interdisciplinary exchange through papers published in its journal, regular newsletters, weblogs, and its annual conference. The Society’s commitment to communication across disciplines, among nations and among institutions as well as its goals of mentoring young scientists have positioned SFS as a leader in integrative aquatic science.

FRESHWATER SCIENCE
The main quarterly publication of the SFS is the journal Freshwater Science (FWS), which was formerly named the Journal of the North American Benthological Society (J-NABS). The journal publishes papers on a wide range of topics, including: ecosystem processes, physical, chemical, and biological properties of lentic and lotic habitats; ecology, systematics, and genetics of freshwater organisms, from bacteria to vertebrates; structure and dynamics of aquatic populations, communities, and ecosystems; bioassessment, conservation, and restoration; linkages between freshwater and other ecosystems and between freshwater ecology and other aquatic sciences; aquatic environmental management; and new or novel methods for basic or applied research.

FWS currently publishes regular articles, book reviews, series of papers on particular themes, and articles in 4 special series:
 * 1) Perspectives articles express ideas, points of view, or comments on topics of interest to freshwater scientists.
 * 2) BRIDGES is a forum for contrasting or complementary perspectives on new and emerging ideas in aquatic science. Clusters of short articles offering different perspectives within a topic area are welcome. Topics that build across disciplines are preferred, e.g., integrating public policy and science, improving communication among scientists and other communities, or linking scientific disciplines. BRIDGES fact sheets highlight the main points of each BRIDGES cluster using non-technical language to aid in the accessibility of BRIDGES issues.
 * 3) Comments (less than 3 pages) provide the opportunity to offer substantive comments, criticisms, or corrections related to articles published in FWS within the past year.
 * 4) FastTracked papers go through the review and publishing process quickly. These papers have the potential for immediate impact (scientific, applied, management, or policy issues and Comments).

BENTHOS NEWS
SFS shares relevant news with its members regularly through Benthos News articles posted on the SFS website. Typical news topics include new public policy relevant to freshwaters, member obituaries, highlights of the research activities of SFS members, article spotlights from high-impact articles published in Freshwater Science and elsewhere. Topics highlighted through Benthos News are often also tweeted to the SFS community through Twitter (twitter.com/BenthosNews) or posted on the SFS Facebook page; or YouTube channel.

SOCIETY FOR FRESHWATER SCIENCE BULLETIN
SFS publishes a bulletin for members three times per year. The bulletin contains news announcements and summarizes Society membership and governance issues.

IN THE DRIFT: THE SFS NEWSLETTER
The SFS also compiles and publishes a short and informal newsletter three times per year titled: “In the drift.” It is yet another way for the Society to maintain communication with its members and help SFS members stay connected and informed throughout the year.

CURRENT AND SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHIES ON BENTHIC BIOLOGY
SFS publishes an annual bibliographic compilation of scientific article citations for papers published during the preceding year that are pertinent to one or more of 19 taxonomic groupings or subject categories focusing on aquatic biology.

MEETINGS
Members of the SFS have met annually since 1953. Annual conferences have taken place across the US and Canada and have encompassed themes of global change effects on freshwaters, the global water crisis, freshwater stewardship, and effects of energy production on aquatic biodiversity.

OUTREACH/EDUCATION
Members of SFS provide outreach and education in a variety of forms. Various resources for teaching about aquatic environments are made available to the public through the SFS website. An image library is available as well as a variety of laboratory and field experiments created and used by SFS members, called SFS labs. There is also a searchable database of taxonomic experts within the SFS community who can help with identification of aquatic organisms. Through teaching courses at colleges and community colleges, and reaching out to K-12 students and the broader public, SFS members reach a broad audience. They also mentor undergraduate and graduate students throughout the year at their home institutions. In SFS, undergraduate students from under-represented groups receive special attention from member mentors at the annual meeting through the INSTARS program.

HOW TO JOIN
SFS membership is open to anyone, regardless of citizenship, who is interested in freshwater science. SFS members receive an online subscription to Freshwater Science. Members also receive the society bulletin and newsletter in electronic form three times per year, the annual bibliography, abstracts of presentations given at past meetings, and access to the current membership directory. Membership rates and instructions for becoming a member can be found on the SFS website.