SS 11 - Addressing Challenges of Ethics for Private Sector Ecologists

Session Description: Ecologists employed in the private sector may work for or provide consulting services for industry, such as oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceutical, or land development, to name a few. Services provided include environmental assessments, environmental permitting, compliance monitoring, ecological risk assessment, natural resource damage assessment, ecosystem restoration, and corporate sustainability goal setting and tracking, all services that require professional training in ecological sciences. However, because activities of clients of private sector ecologists are perceived to involve negative environmental impacts, other ecologists often assume that, or wonder if, private sector ecologists have questionable ethics. This perception presents a dilemma for many ecologists that opt not to work in academe: risk compromising one’s ethics by working in the private sector or seek employment that does not fully engage one’s training in the ecological sciences. The purpose of the Special Session is to introduce ecologists considering a career in the private sector to challenges faced by private sector ecologists and the importance of adhering to ESA’s Code of Ethics in addressing these challenges.

The Special Session will consist of a panel of private practitioners and other non‑academic organizations, such as government agencies, that routinely interact with private sector ecologists. Panelists will discuss the types of services provided by private sector ecologists and potential challenges to ethics faced in providing services. Following the presentation by members of the panel, the Special Session will transition to an open forum, which will provide attendees the opportunity to meet and interact with the panel and other private sector practitioners.

The Special Session will be of interest to a diversity of conference attendees, including those considering employment in the private sector, those interested in understanding the types of ecological services provided by private sector ecologists, and those interested in learning how to collaborate with private sector ecologists. Many attendees at the annual meeting will be students who will be evaluating career options upon receiving their degrees. The Special Session will provide the opportunity for these and other attendees to gain an understanding of the importance and application of ESA’s Code of Ethics for non‑academic ecologists. The Special Session will also be of interest to educators in academe who are looking to better prepare their students for a career in the private sector.