Ensuring opportunities are open to everyone

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) has awarded its 2026 Commitment to Human Diversity in Ecology Award to Haldre S. Rogers, associate professor in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment. The honor recognizes outstanding contributions to ecology that expand participation, strengthen mentorship, and build inclusive pathways into the profession.

Rogers’ career is distinguished by sustained, place‑based mentorship and community partnership, particularly in the Mariana Islands. Through her lab, the Rogers Lab, she has hired, trained, and mentored numerous interns, technicians, and post-docs, prioritizing local leadership in a region with a long history of extractive research practices. She is a co-founder of the Indigenous-led nonprofit Tåno Tåsi yan Todu and helps lead the Mariana Islands Conservation Conference, which fosters regional collaboration and ecological learning.

“This award is especially meaningful to me because I was nominated by current and former students and mentees,” Rogers said. “Mentoring has been the most rewarding part of my career, and the part that has taught me the most, so to have mentees nominate me is the biggest honor I could receive.”

Her commitment to mentorship also extends through the Ecology of Bird Loss Project, where she has supported more than 120 students and trainees. Many of these individuals have gone on to graduate studies and careers in conservation and ecological research. Beyond the Mariana Islands, Rogers contributes to inclusive ecology training efforts and supports student participation in professional communities such as the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science.

Through these efforts, Rogers has helped create durable pathways for students and professionals from underrepresented groups to enter and thrive in ecology and conservation science.

“I have spent my career primarily working in the Mariana Islands, a place where I started as a visitor, but that has become a home,” Rogers said. “When I first moved to Guåhan (Guam), I saw that most biologist positions were held by people from the mainland U.S. who came to the island for the job, faced a steep learning curve about the ecology and culture, and typically stayed for only a year or two, taking their accumulated knowledge and experience with them. This high turnover, combined with a lack of local knowledge, meant that conservation was less effective than it could be.”

After field research in Guam established Rogers as a leading scientist working on ecologically critical projects, she was able to expand her lab to a level where she was leading a team of young researchers, from high school students through post-docs.

“When I got to a position where I could hire people for research projects, I recruited from local high schools and colleges, and sought out graduate students and postdocs from the islands,” Rogers said. “Together, we have built a community through the Ecology of Bird Loss project, the Mariana Islands Conservation Conference, and the nonprofit Tåno Tåsi yan Todu. In turn, I have learned an immeasurable amount from everyone I have worked with, whom I now consider friends and family.”

ESA’s annual awards celebrate excellence across discovery, teaching, sustainability, diversity, and lifelong commitment to ecology. Designed to honor past achievements while inspiring future innovation, the awards highlight work that advances ecological science and broadens its impact through collaboration and education.

Rogers will receive her award at the annual conference of the ESA in July in Salt Lake City.