Dear Chairman Frelinghuysen, Ranking Member Lowey, and Committee Members:
The undersigned organizations thank you for your recognition of the importance of professional societies in the committee report that accompanies the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
House Report 115-238 highlights on page 7 the valuable role professional societies hold in assuring sound scientific management principles are applied to resources management through strengthening competencies of the federal workforce. Federal employees benefit greatly from participation in professional societies, which provide opportunities for continuing education, access and contribution to scientific journals, and meaningful interaction with other professionals. Such networking is key to enhancing collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and private industries. Continue reading.