Interview with John Frederick Reed, 1985

Segment Synopsis: This is an interview with John F. Reed, former secretary and president of the Ecological Society of America, and the chairman of the ESA study committee. Takes place in Durango, Colorado.

Keywords: ESA; Ecological Society of America; TIE; The Institute of Ecology

Partial Transcript: late 1960s, the Ecological Society of America was conducting a study on the advisability of establishing an institute of ecology.

Segment Synopsis: Reed explains how the idea of the Institute started out developed from the Ecological Society of America. He follows that it was to support the voice of the field of Ecology, bridging many resources for its benefit.

Keywords: ESA; Ecological Society of America; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; field of Ecology; membership; public policy; research

Partial Transcript: Concerns were expressed that the proposed Institute would compete with research efforts at Universities

Segment Synopsis: Reed discusses how different aspects such as research interests and funding from the NSF and other sources led to competition between TIE and universities.

Keywords: NSF; National Science Foundation; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; competition; funding; sources of funding

Partial Transcript: We'll go on to the next question.

Segment Synopsis: Reed recalls The Institute of Ecology's original objectives that were to be developed with the organization.

Keywords: NSF; National Science Foundation; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; ecology; original objectives; public policy

Partial Transcript: the founders or sponsors, and the assembly

Segment Synopsis: Reed explains the lack of union among the two initial groups of TIE's administration. He says the lack of infrastructure leads to a major confusion as to what the membership meant, and what obligations incurred for each person.

Keywords: TIE; The Institute of Ecology; assembly; founders; group of ecologists; membership; public policy; sponsors; study committee

Partial Transcript: almost from its inception TIE incurred debts and financial problems.

Segment Synopsis: Reed mentions that there was there was no single simple cause but the lack of financial support was a major issue that continued throughout the life of TIE. He states that the lack of organization of the assembly was confusing and didn't help the poor decision-making already occurring.

Keywords: TIE; The Institute of Ecology; debts; demise; financial problems; flaws; lack of financial support

Partial Transcript: opened a Washington office.

Segment Synopsis: Reed discusses how the Ecological Society could learn from TIE's mistakes, and what it could potentially redo to avoid such a disaster as TIE's demise.

Keywords: ESA; Ecological Society of America; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; new effort; new office; retrace steps