SETAC Globe
18 Jun 2026

Proactive Science, Lasting Impact – Advancing SETAC North America’s Voice in 2026

Chris Stransky, SETAC North America President and Tamar Schlekat, SETAC North America Executive Director

Halfway through the year, please allow us to provide an update on how the SETAC North America Board of Directors has worked to serve the membership and advance our mission in 2026 so far.

In the first quarter of the year, the board focused on updating the SETAC North America bylaws to align with the updated SETAC bylaws. The board also reviewed and refined policies and guidelines to improve efficiency and respond to evolving trends in the association sector. Meanwhile, the board maintains stewardship of SETAC North America to ensure the long-term sustainability and operational health of the society, based on member feedback. Your input has been invaluable to these efforts through suggestions for the path ahead that the board receives directly or through survey responses. Please always feel free to reach out with your ideas!

With the full support of the program committee, the board is looking forward to a fabulous SETAC North America 47th Annual Meeting in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Interest has been exceptional and is back to pre-pandemic numbers. This strong engagement highlights both the continued relevance of our mission to advance environmental science and management and the dedication of our members to understanding and protecting environmental and human health in the face of increasing political headwinds and growing environmental challenges.

Advocacy for Science

The board also remains committed to strengthening SETAC North America’s role as a proactive advocate for science. Building on efforts initiated in 2025, the board remains focused on defending support for scientific research, environmental protection and the federal scientific workforce, while emphasizing the importance of transparency, integrity, evidence-based policy and sustained investment in environmental science. SETAC North America has been actively collaborating with other groups to track issues and provide a combined response. We are proud to be part of the USGS Coalition and the Friends of NOAA as well as the Coalition for Advocacy for a Resilient Environment (CARE), which is housed at SETAC.

This year, the board has directed advocacy efforts towards congressional committees and federal agencies on issues including federal support for scientific research, science agency capacity and civil service changes. The board pursued these efforts through a series of letters developed in collaboration with other scientific societies and like-minded associations, addressing issues central to SETAC’s mission and values. Together, these actions reinforce SETAC North America’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that sound science remains at the center of public decision-making. These advocacy efforts support one of the key recommendations provided by SETAC members from a survey conducted in September 2025 focused on Challenges for Environmental Science.

Recent efforts include:

In addition, the board is actively reviewing and supporting emerging legislation such as the “Sound Science Act,” introduced by Senator Pete Ricketts in April 2026. The legislation proposes changes intended to strengthen the scientific foundation of chemical risk evaluations and improve interagency coordination for chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Early Outcomes and Impact

While many of these efforts are ongoing, they are already contributing to meaningful outcomes. Collectively, SETAC North America’s advocacy has helped elevate awareness of the importance of sustained investment in environmental science and the critical role of the federal scientific workforce. Funding and jobs have been restored in several key cases, with many still pending and others on the horizon. 

Our collaboration with peer organizations has strengthened unified, science-based messaging across the broader scientific community, increasing visibility and credibility with decision-makers. At the same time, these efforts have reinforced SETAC North America’s role as a trusted, objective voice that bridges science and policy while remaining grounded in our core principles of scientific integrity and multi-sector and multidisciplinary engagement.

These actions have also provided a platform for our members’ expertise to inform real-world decisions, ensuring that the science conducted across academia, government and business continues to have impact where it matters most.

Continuing to Support Our Community

The board recognizes that recent policy and funding changes have affected many members of our community in all sectors. We remain committed to identifying ways to support members, both directly and indirectly, through expanded engagement, collaboration and open communication.

SETAC North America is a community built on shared purpose: advancing environmental science and applying it to protect ecosystems and human health. In times of uncertainty, this mission becomes ever more important.

It is a true honor to work alongside our board and members as we build on our progress, strengthen our society and advance the mission and values we share. Together, we can ensure that science continues to inform decisions and make a lasting impact.

We welcome your thoughts and ideas and encourage you to reach out to the board directly. Your feedback helps us better serve our members and strengthen our society.

Author contact: [email protected]

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