This session will facilitate communication among the people and institutions that are increasing diversity of the workforce in ecology and related areas such as ecology instruction, land management, and policy. That communication includes approaches that have proven successful, and both the development of a network for continued communication and the initiation of formal and informal collaborations and partnerships. Speakers and participants will address a variety of approaches so that interested parties can learn about best practices that are appropriate to particular situations. Individuals and institutions desiring to participate in this effort can learn some of the essentials for success and contact those who can guide them through the establishment of a program that will fit their needs. Because interaction is a key component of this session, it will include time for questions and discussion. A panel of speakers representing successful diversity initiatives will present a sampling of key strategies for increasing the recruitment, retention, and advancement of underrepresented ethnic, cultural, and economic minorities. A second panel will highlight the roles of institutions and agencies. Reserved time will permit all participants to interact during the panels and in an information exchange. The facilitated information exchange will center on problem solving, proposing avenues of communication, and determination of the critical next steps for increasing diversity in the ecological workforce. Recommendations and next steps also will be discussed, including establishment of the network, collaborations, and partnerships. Although, integrating the diversity effort vertically among all grade-levels and the professional arena is important, this session will focus on recruitment, retention, and advancement at the college, graduate school, and early professional levels. It also will focus on underrepresented ethnic, cultural, and economic minorities. The session should lead to other efforts that will address the wider range of needs in ecology. From this session, four results should emerge: 1) immediately improved communication among those concerned with increasing diversity of the ecological workforce; 2) further facilitations to increase networking, coordination, and collaboration; 3) more diversity among students who study ecology; and 4) increased diversity among those who work in ecologically related fields in the coming years.