Defending the teaching of evolution, working to increase federal research funding for the biological sciences, supporting the development and maintenance of natural science collections and national biological research infrastructure, and addressing legislation that would significantly affect the ability of scientific society publications to keep the presses rolling — these are a subset of the issues AIBS Public Policy Office staff work on each day. The following details some of our recent accomplishments:

• Launched the AIBS Legislative Action Center, an online science advocacy tool for scientists and educators that allows individuals to quickly communicate with members of Congress, executive branch officials, and select media outlets.

• Advocated for increased funding for the National Science Foundation Biological Sciences Directorate, the US Geological Survey, and the Office of Research and Development at the Environmental Protection Agency.

• Defended the teaching of evolution in public schools across the nation through amicus briefs and working to educate the media and the public about the nature of science.

• Trained researchers, educators, and students to successfully engage with the media and policymakers.

• Provided testimony to Congress, organized Congressional briefings and one-on-one meetings with legislators, and developed action alerts and society responses to proposed legislation and regulations.

• Published Communicating Science: A Primer for Working with the Media, a book which contains practical tips and techniques for successful media outreach by scientists.

• Assisted our member organizations in advancing their public policy agendas. Recently, we helped the Association of Ecosystem Research Centers in planning and conducting a science briefing on Capitol Hill entitled "Out on a Limb: Sustainability of Urban Ecosystems Under Changing Climates."

• Established the Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award for graduate students.

• Launched and co-chair the USGS Coalition, designed to bring awareness to the US Geological Survey's crucial work in biology and other disciplines. In 2005 the Coalition won the USGS's John Wesley Powell Award for its efforts.

• Launched and co-chair the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC), which helped to persuade Congress to authorize a doubling of the National Science Foundation budget.

Support the AIBS Public Policy Office so that, working together and speaking with one voice, we can more effectively promote the biological sciences.