UConn SEEDS

Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability

Our Mission

Our mission is to increase diversity and inclusion within Ecology and Environmental sciences fields at the University of Connecticut through increasing awareness of environmental issues, holding professional development events, and establishing outreach programs with other institutions.

History of ESA SEEDS

The SEEDS program was established in 1996 and has aimed to diversify and advance the ecology profession through opportunities that stimulate the interests of underrepresented students. Through SEEDS, ESA has opened the door for students to develop an interest in ecology and participate in leadership opportunities.
Learn more here.
UConn SEEDS became a Chapter through the parent program of ESA SEEDS in 2019 and an official organization through UConn in 2020.

What is SEEDS?

We face new challenges that impact the world every day on both a global and personal scale. Environmental issues can disproportionately affect low-income communities and people of color. As a Chapter, our group strives to increase the participation of people of color and first generation college students to establish equity in the field of ecology.

Why is ecology be important to us?

Ecology is a sector of biology that studies the interactions of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. As humans, we participate in ecology every day. Whether it be something as simple as going on a walk with some friends or growing a garden- we are literally changing the world. When studying these different types of interactions and the varying impacts they have on the world, we can use what we learn to our advantage and better our planet.