This article, written by Nadine Lymn, Director for Public affairs, appeared in the Fall 1998 issue of the Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America

CNSF Exhibit Highlights NSF-Funded Research

On 20 May 1998, the Ecological Society of America joined 30 other scientific organizations and universities in a Capitol Hill exhibition of research made possible by funding from the National Science Foundation. Sponsored by the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), the event gave lawmakers and their staffs the opportunity to observe tangible results from the funding Con,aress provides for NSF.

The National Science Foundation is the only federal agency whose primary mission is investing in fundamental research and the improvement of science, mathematics, and engineering education. NSF serves as an important catalyst for many scientific advances.

All exhibits showcased research and education projects supported by the National Science Foundation. A wide range of research was featured by the exhibitors, including: - "Understanding and Fostering Spatial Competence," sponsored by The American Psychological Association - "Gene Trap and Gene Discovery in the Model Plant Arabidopsis," sponsored by The American Society of Plant Physiologists - "Sex, Drugs, and Food: How Odors Guide Ecological and Behavioral Interactions," sponsored by Bowlincy Green State University - "How Does a Compact Disc Work? The Mathematics of Data Storage," sponsored by The Joint Policy Board for Mathematics and the American Mathematical Society . "Ice Core Contributions to Global Change Research," sponsored by The American Geological Institute and American Geophysical Union

ESA sponsored an exhibit featuring NSF's Long-term Ecological Research Network. One of the more sophisticated booths at the event, the exhibit featured a computerized slide presentation of the 21 LTER sites, a colorful display of photographs depicting LTER's research activities, and literature handouts. Included among the handouts was an ESA fact sheet on Hantavirus and the role longterm ecological research played in solving the puzzle of the 1993 outbreak.

Several LTER Network principal investigators were on hand to bolster LTER's critical role in science efforts: James Gosz, LTER Network Director; Terry Yates, of the Sevilleta, New Mexico site; John Porter of the Virginia Coast Reserve site; Richard Pouyat, of the Baltimore LTER site; and Patricia Sprott, LTER Network Office Information Specialist, all participated in the event.

Several Members of Congress, including Representatives George Brown (D-CA and ranking minority member on the House Science Committee), and Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ and member of the subcommittee that sets funding for NSF) viewed the exhibits and spoke with the researchers staffing them. Some 80 congressional staff, as well as several administration officials from NSF and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy also attended the event.

Prior to the CNSF exhibition. members of ESA's aroup met with several of their congressional offices to discuss the LTER Network and ecological research with legislative staff who work on environmental issues. Most of the staffers were not familiar with the network of long-term ecological research sites and were pleased to learn of another source of scientific expertise, particularly one in their specialties.

The fourth annual CNSF exhibit was hailed as a success. It drew the intended audience of lawmakers and gave participants the chance to view work being done by colleagues in other fields, who also turn to the National Science Foundation as a primary funding resource.