Fellow Mammalogists,
As many of you are aware, science is in a state of turmoil in the United States. Recent efforts to drastically reduce government workforces and research funding for science will lead to many adverse consequences for Earth’s remaining natural ecosystems.
The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) is the world’s largest and oldest professional organization devoted to the study of mammals. As a global leader in the science of mammalogy, it behooves us to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our core mission: to promote science as the basis for managing and conserving mammals, to diversify the field of mammalogy, and to advance the scientific understanding of mammals globally. This means we stand committed to supporting all members of our scientific community regardless of ancestry, color, national origin, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or political affiliation. Science is enhanced when diversity is enriched.
ASM will continue to offer scholarships and grants to promote mammal conservation, recognize diverse mammalogists for their important contributions to the field through scholarships and awards, maintain the operations of the IDEA Committee, and pursue other efforts central to our core mission. Moreover, the American Society of Mammalogists urges continued public support of – and trust in – scientific inquiry and the use of science-based data as the foundation for decisions and policies affecting life on Earth.
Felisa A. Smith, Ph.D.
President, American Society of Mammalogists
John L. Koprowski, Ph.D.
President Elect, American Society of Mammalogists