Professional Organizations in Plant Biology
1. American Association for the Advancement of Science Students have the opportunity to attend their annual meeting for free! More here.
2. American Fern Society Their objective is the fostering of interest in ferns and fern allies.
3. American Museum of Natural History The Museum has played a leading role in exploration, discovery, and theoretical advances in the natural sciences. Central to these efforts has been the accumulation of one of the world's great Museum collections. They host an essay contest for grades 7-12. More here.
4. American Phytopathological Society There is an extensive list of opportunities for student members here.
5. ASHS - the American Society for Horticultural Science. Association of College Branches to which undergrads can belong and they offer 1 year free membership to any interested undergrad.
6. American Society for Microbiology The American Society for Microbiology is the oldest and largest single life science membership organization in the world. There is an extensive list of opportunities for student members here.
7. American Society for Photobiology The ASP promotes research in photobiology, integration of different photobiology disciplines, dissemination of photobiology knowledge, and provides information on photobiological aspects of national and international issues. Student member info here.
8. American Society of Agronomy has more information about undergraduate opportunities on their Students of Agronomy, Soils and Environmental Sciences (SASES) page here.
9. American Society of Naturalists The American Naturalist is the official publication of the American Society of Naturalists. Awards listed here.
10. American Society of Plant Biologists ASPB has some of the best information for student Plant Biologists on its website. Information about its Student Ambassador Program is here.
11. American Society of Plant Taxonomists The American Society of Plant Taxonomists promotes research and teaching of taxonomy, systematics, and phylogeny of vascular and nonvascular plants. An extensive list of careers is here.
12. Beyond Bio 101 An excellent resource for learning about changes in the undergraduate world of biology.
13. BiologyBrowser, produced by BIOSIS, offers information about resources in Biology.
14. Botanical Society of America is a not for profit organization promoting Botany. Benefits of membership here.
15. Ecological Society of America The Society was founded for the purpose of unifying the science of ecology, stimulating research in all aspects of the discipline, encouraging communication among ecologists, and promoting the responsible application of ecological data and principles to the solution of environmental problems. Information for students here.
16. International Society for Ecological Modelling The International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM) promotes the international exchange of ideas, scientific results, and general knowledge in the area of the application of systems analysis and simulation in ecology and natural resource management.
19. Mycological Society of America The Mycological Society of America is a scientific society dedicated to advancing the science of mycology.
20. National Museum of Natural History The National Museum of Natural History is dedicated to understanding the natural world and our place in it. Academic opportunities here.
21. Natural Science Collections Alliance The Natural Science Collections Alliance is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit association that supports natural science collections, their human resources, the institutions that house them, and their research activities for the benefit of science and society. Several opportunities listed here.
22. Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Several of their initiatives would be excellent for students. More here.
23. New York Botanical Garden Student section here. Many valuable links for science education and many field primers, as well as other opportunities for students.
24. Organization of Biological Field Stations The mission of OBFS is to serve the member stations in ways that increase their effectiveness in research, education and outreach. OBFS was founded in 1963. Many job postings listed.
25. PLANTS Database The PLANTS Database provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories.
26. Phycological Society of America The Society was formed in 1946 to promote the study of algae and phycological research. Student opportunities here.
27. Society for Conservation Biology The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is an international professional organization dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity. Resources listed here.
28. Society for Ecological Restoration is an organization for people researching, practicing or interested in Ecological Restoration. Membership information here.
29. Society for Economic Botany fosters and encourages scientific research, education, and related activities on the past, present, and future uses of plants, and the relationship between plants and people. Student network information here.
30. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology The Society is dedicated to promoting the pursuit and public dissemination of important information relating to biology. Excellent set of links for students here.
31. Society for the Study of Evolution devoted to the study of organic evolution and the integration of the various fields of science concerned with evolution and the integration of the various fields of science concerned with evolution.
32. Society for Wetland Scientists promotes the understanding and study of wetlands. Site contains links of wetlands interests including some designed for use in classrooms.
33. Society of Systematic Biologists works for the advancement of the science of systematic biology in all its aspects of theory, principles, methodology, and practice, for both living and fossil organisms, with emphasis on areas of common interest to all systematic biologists regardless of individual specialization. A list of awards for students can be found here.
34. Soil Science Society of America Information about careers and opportunities for students is here.
35. Species 2000 The goal of the Species 2000 project is to create a validated checklist of all of the world’s species (plants, animals, fungi and microbes). This is being achieved by bringing together an array of global species databases covering each of the major groups of organisms.
36. Weed Science Society of America Promotes research, education, and extension outreach activities related to weeds. Employment opportunities for students are listed here.
Clubs available for UNL Plant Biology Students
Horticulture Club The Horticulture Club gives students opportunities to socialize, learn and experience different aspects of this discipline. The club puts on plant, flower and Christmas tree sales, helps landscape the campus grounds and complete community for-hire landscaping projects. They initiate fundraisers, take field trips and investigate developments unfolding in the horticulture profession. The club sponsors the Horticulture Judging team.
MANRRS Chapter at UNL. Advisor - Susan K. Voss Email - svoss1@unl.edu National group MANRRS is a national society that welcomes membership of people of all racial and ethnic group participation in agricultural and related sciences careers.
Women in Agriculture NCTA’s Women in Ag organization promotes women in ag-oriented areas of study and ag-related jobs upon graduation. Guest speakers present information on various topics ranging from personal and social issues to professional interests. Members have the opportunity to attend the Women in Ag Conference held each year in Kearney.
Collegiate 4-H This club provides an opportunity for all students to continue their interest in 4-H activities. Members help with local 4-H clubs, work with the Cooperative Extension Service, attend regional and national meetings and participate in a variety of fund raising activities.
UNL Extension in Lancaster County Links for local clubs
Agribusiness Annual Conference The Agribusiness department selects students each year to attend a College Conference on Cooperatives in Minneapolis, Minn. Students learn about a variety of cooperatives, tour different cooperatives and network with members in the industry. This trip is designed to promote awareness of agribusiness in the economy and enhance the skills learned in the classroom.
Discovery Corps
This is a faculty-driven, teaching and learning activity for second semester Honors Program freshmen only. One student credit hour may be earned during a 5 to 8 week period of time. The faculty member involved must identify learning objectives and write a teaching plan. This activity must be approved by the respective Department Head, Professor Jim Partridge (Assistant Director of the Honors Program) and the College Dean. Participating students are required to make a presentation about their project/research at the end of the semester. Contact info: Dr. Jim Partridge, Plant Pathology, 406 PLSH Lincoln NE 68583-0722 (402)472-3160 jpartridge1@unl.edu
Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow
Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness Club
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Insect Science Club
Mechanized Systems Management Club
National Agri-Marketing Association
Professional Golf Management Club
Student Branch of American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)