2026-04-22T20:15:37-07:00 2025-12-31 990 2025-01-01 711047817 ORGANIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATIONS INC ORGA 4133877983 108 Petticoat Hill Rd Williamsburg MA 01096 Paul Wetzel Treasurer 4133877983 2026-03-14 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Conner Steven Philson 185 Loma Media Rd Unit A Santa Barbara CA 93103 132335 0 X www.OBFS.org X 1990 MO Helping member field stations increase their effectiveness in supporting scientific research, experiential education of students and outreach programs. 16 16 0 50 0 0 53442 104348 66019 0 17622 20817 -3067 4493 134016 129658 31161 75130 0 0 0 1000 0 0 3924 97026 61356 128187 137486 5829 -7828 860039 981756 0 50000 860039 931756 To assist members in providing infrastructure for exemplary scientific research, innovative & effective learning & informed natural resource stewardship. To enhance the capacity of field stations through training & information sharing. To educate the public and decision makers about the critical role of field stations in scientific research and education. To enhance public support for funding field stations and the activities supported at field stations. 0 0 65418 0 0 One of the most important functions of the OBFS is providing networking capacity among about 130 field stations and 40 individual members throughout the world. The professional field station network is maintained with a website that contains a variety of information, such as a map with the locations of member field stations, examples of field station policies, and information on special events, funding opportunities, and jobs postings. A complete revision of the website was finished in 2024 and the OBFS hired a website administrator contractor ($10,495) to maintain the website and spent $3,572 on website maintenance. Annual meetings are a second way that OBFS maintains a professional network. In 2024 the OBFS annual meeting was held in November (to miss peak hurricane season) at The Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, Georgetown, South Carolina. Final expenses of the 2024 meeting were paid in early 2025 ($32,035). The 2025 annual meeting was held at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado ($8,312). Participants attended workshops on timely topics and heard a variety of speakers and met many other field station managers. Several member stations were recognized for their efforts to increase the involvement, engagement and sustainability of underrepresented groups in field science ($1,504). Travel assistance was given to a small number of Board members without institutional support ($2,875). Early and middle career travel awards were also given to two members to attend the annual meeting ($6,927). The OBFS continues to build connections with the communities where annual meetings are held by holding a local fundraising event in an effort to showcase the work of field stations to the general public ($2,677). 36159 0 0 As part of its strategic plan, OBFS worked to increase its international presence. OBFS made a concerted effort to increase international membership by establishing an International Matching Program (Resources spent in 2025 = $16,578). This program brings two or more stations together to deepen networking opportunities throughout our international community or jump start multi-year research projects or collaborations across diverse lands and expertise. Findings from visits are presented at "Virtual Cafe" talks four times annually. These talks are simultaneously translated into English or Spanish ($450). A second related program, the Station Exchange program, provides travel awards for field station staff to visit other field stations in the OBFS network for shadowing, cross-training, and mentoring opportunities as a way to connect with peers (Resources spent in 2025 = $7,831). Finally, OBFS established a mini-grants program to support small research or infrastructure projects that support strategic planning goals (Resources spent in 2025 = $11,300). OBFS is an all volunteer organization and spent $3,422 in office administrative expenses. 13563 0 0 The education of the public and decision makers about the critical role of field stations for experiential learning, the blending of art and natural history, and the support of scientific research is a major program service accomplishment of OBFS. The OBFS continues to be a member of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) ($6,250), a confederation of smaller scientific organizations that provides educational, professional, and public policy opportunities on behalf of the group. This year OBFS contributed to Congressional Visits Day, a program sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences. This program allows members to meet with their Congressional state delegation to inform them of the role of field stations in scientific research, conservation, and the education of a new generation of scientists. OBFS also paid the registration fees for 3 members to attend these programs ($5,921). The OBFS continued to support the Virtual Field, an effort to create and distribute virtual learning resources that focused on teaching observational skills through virtual experiences from field stations and marine laboratories to support faculty, students, and others ($1,393). 15000 0 0 The OBFS received a generous grant from the Maxwell | Hanrahan Foundation, San Francisco, CA ($15,0000). In 2024 this grant supported the research of three graduate students at field stations. The success of this program led the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation to grant an additional $50,000 to support graduate student field research and early career earth sciences research at member field stations in 2026. The OBFS will solicit grant applications from member stations in February 2026 to award grant money for the 2026 field season. 15000 0 0 130140 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 MA X X Paul R Wetzel 4133877983 108 Petticoat Hill Road Williamsburg MA 01096 Sarah Oktay Network Coordinator 3.00 0 X 1000 0 0 Sarah Oktay Co-Chair - Development Committee 1 0 X 0 0 0 Stacy McNulty Editor 2 0 X 0 0 0 Sheena Parsons Member at Large - One 2 0 X 0 0 0 Megan DiNapoli Member at Large - Two 2 0 X 0 0 0 Sofia Rodriguez Member at Large - Early Career 2 0 X 0 0 0 Itchung Cheung Chair - Collaborations Committee 2 X 0 0 0 Brian Kloeppel Co-chair - Development Committee 2 0 X 0 0 0 Shane Waddell Chair - Governance & Sustainability Committee 1 0 X 0 0 0 Stefanie Whitmire Co-chair - IDEA+ Committee 2 0 X 0 0 0 David Maneli Chair - International Committee 2 0 X 0 0 0 Conner Philson Chair - Outreach and Communications Committee 4 0 X 0 0 0 Lara Roketenetz Past President (ex officio) 2 0 X 0 0 0 Beth Norman Secretary 4 0 X 0 0 0 Paul R Wetzel Treasurer 6 0 X 0 0 0 Rhonda Struminger President 8 0 X 0 0 0 Jessica Malisch Vice President/Co-chair IDEA+ Committee 3 0 X 0 0 0 1000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32800 11358 0 0 60190 0 104348 0 20817 20817 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7170 11358 2677 4493 0 4493 0 129658 20817 0 4493 X 6250 6250 39043 39043 29837 29837 1000 1000 9945 9945 3422 3422 3572 2325 1247 0 40347 40347 Expenses related to two fundraising events 2677 0 0 2677 Support for Virtual Field--virtual education program created by field station members 1393 1393 0 0 137486 130140 3422 3924 57235 88659 216287 153839 15000 50000 571517 689258 860039 981756 0 50000 0 50000 X 57235 88659 0 0 802804 843097 860039 931756 860039 981756 X -7828 0 0 0 0 79545 X 0 0 0 X 40460 40700 64756 40741 104348 291005 10707 13184 13595 13546 7170 58202 51167 53884 78351 54287 111518 349207 349207 3393 7414 16196 17622 20817 65442 3393 7414 16196 17622 20817 65442 54560 61298 94547 71909 132335 414649 0.84217 0.85296 0.15783 0.14704 X 78832 13285 11824 0 0 0 103941 0 75510 3322 0 0 0 78832 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 The OBFS endowment was established in June 2024 to provide a source of stable income other than membership dues for the organization. Life time memberships to OBFS and donor specified donations are the source of endowment contributions. Income from the endowment is not expected for 8 to 10 years. 1 Travel assistance to annual meeting. 4 5160 0 Travel assistance for OBFS members to participate in Congressional Visits day and attend the American Philisophical Society meeting -- future of field work. 4 5921 0 OBFS members may apply for mini-grants for projects that support strategic goals of OBFS. 3 11300 0 The field station exchange program contributes up to $1,000 for travel expenses for stations to visit each other and share ideas. 8 7831 0 Grants to graduate students conducting field research at field stations. These OBFS grant programs were supported from a grant from the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation. All funds from the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation were used to support students (there was no organizational overhead). 3 15000 Schedule I, Part I, Line 1 For organizations in the United States, the OBFS contributed more than $5,000 to one organization--the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). Contributions are membership dues for the organization and to selected projects. The OBFS Board discusses and votes on these expenditures each time a contribution is made. The AIBS sends OBFS a receipt of the amount of the contribution. For individuals receiving assistance, the OBFS does maintain records of the amount of assistance, whether the recipient is eligible, and selection criteria used to make an award. OBFS provides a limited number of travel awards (assistance) to individuals as part of the annual meeting, as part of a "matching" program, a mini-grant program, station exchange, and to participate in Congressional visits Day. Grant recipients turn in receipts of their costs and then they are reimbursed by the Treasurer. The OBFS also started a research grant program in 2025 with money from the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation. A selection committee was convened to select grant recipients. The individuals awarded funds were paid by the OBFS Treasurer. Grant recipients were required to submit a written statement to the OBFS Board describing their research project supported by the funds and some recipients also presented a poster or talk on their research at the annual OBFS meeting. Schedule I, Part I, Line 2 OBFS provides a limited number of travel awards (assistance) to individuals as part of the annual meeting, as part of a "matching" program, a mini-grant program, station exchange, and to participate in Congressional visits Day. Grant recipients turn in receipts of their costs and then they are reimbursed by the Treasurer. The OBFS also started a research grant program in 2025 with money from the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation. Individuals applied to the grant program and awardees were selected by a selection committee. The individuals awarded funds were paid by the OBFS Treasurer. Grant recipients were required to submit a written statement to the OBFS Board describing their research project supported by the funds and recipients also presented a poster or talk on their research at the annual OBFS meeting. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 The OBFS has individual members and field station members. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a Members pay dues and participate in the governance of the Organization of Biological Field Stations, primarily by running for organization offices or electing officers and Board members. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7b Changes in the bylaws of the organization. Members are also called upon to vote on large initiatives, such as a five year strategic plan. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The treasurer completes the form and then sends it to the Vice-President or President for review. Board members are sent a copy of f990 if requested. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c All board members are required to fill out a conflict of interest form annually. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 These documents are posted on the OBFS website. Form 990, Part IX, Line 11g The OBFS paid a contractor to be a website administrator. This person updated the website and answered questions about website functions from members. Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Gains from investments in 2025.