About CERF
About | Mission | Visions II | Code of Ethics
The similarity and diversity of estuaries is also characteristic of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation, a multidisciplinary organization of individuals who study and manage the structure and functions of estuaries and the effects of human activities on these fragile environments.
The Federation's members are dedicated to advancing human understanding and appreciation of the Earth's estuaries and coasts, to the wise use and management of these environments and to making the results of their research and management actions available to their colleagues and to the public. Members of the Federation include academic researchers, public sector managers, teachers, consultants, students and others who are interested in estuaries.
The Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation is a private, nonprofit non partisan organization. The Federation was created in 1971, when the members of two older, regionally-based estuarine research societies (AERS and NEERS) decided that a national organization was needed to address estuarine and coastal issues more broadly. The regionally based Affiliate Societies now number seven and encompass all of the coastal regions that border the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Federation advances understanding and wise stewardship of estuarine and coastal ecosystems worldwide. Its mission is to:
Membership in the Federation is open to all who support these goals. The Federation currently has approximately 1,650 members, and approximately 1,000 more who are members of the Affiliate Societies.
The Federation addresses the purposes listed above by convening conferences in odd-numbered years (see Meetings), through the more frequent meetings of its Affiliate Societies in their regions and through regular publication of the scholarly journal Estuaries and Coasts and the Newsletter. In addition, the Federation serves as a source of advice on estuarine and coastal matters by responding to requests for information from legislative and management organizations.
VISIONS II: What lies ahead for CERF?
The last formal strategic planning by the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation took place during the early 1990s. A "Visions Report", published in the October 1993 Newsletter, made numerous recommendations for strengthening the Federation by extending our focus beyond estuaries to coasts, wetlands and coastal waters; increasing member participation in the organization; and increasing communication among members and between CERF, other stakeholders, students and more.
Over the years since 1993, the Federation has grown significantly. For example:
The growing numbers indicate important momentum toward our goals of promoting estuarine and coastal research, management and public awareness of these important ecosystems.
In Fall 2003, the CERF Governing Board restructured the way we "do business" to incorporate regular strategic planning exercises. After identifying broad strategic goals, we engaged in structured planning activities in the areas of Affiliate Societies, Communications, Education, Fundraising, International Activities, Membership and Policy.
The results of nearly two years of work on these topics were discussed with the membership at a Town Hall Meeting held at the Biennial Conference on October 18, 2004. You shared your ideas with us on topics such as how to enhance international participation in the Federation, how to best enhance the exchange of technical information between scientists involved in research and those involved in management and policy, and how to maintain steady membership growth and enhance the diversity of the Federation.
Visions II Section Drafts
This Code of Ethics was created in 1991. It is presented here for members' consideration and information.
Preamble
This Code provides guiding principles of conduct for all members of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation. Recognition of professional status by the public depends not only on skill and dedication but also on adherence to a code of professional conduct.