Session Description: Ecological societies are communities of professionals including scientists, educators, technicians, and policy makers related to the discipline of Ecology. The main activities of ecological societies worldwide are organizing scientist meetings, publishing journals and/or bulletins, and connecting scientists, educators and decision-makers.Ecological societies face, however, common challenges in our increasingly complex and changing global environment. This workshop will provide an opportunity for leaders of ecological societies to develop new strategies to make our societies stronger and more meaningful for member engagement. We will also discuss what encourages members to become and stay part of the society. The rest half of the workshop will feature presentations by leaders of national/international ecological societies and ecological journal editors around the following topics: 1. Providing and communicating the value of membership to our societies’ members; 2. Leadership in diversity and inclusion, ensuring ecology is welcoming to a diverse range of people; 3. Education programs in times of COVID; 4. How the continue change in the landscape of scientist/scholarly publishing will affect our scientist societies (as publishers, authors, and readers); 5. How the science – policy interface works in our varied national and international settings.The second half of the workshop will be devoted to questions and comments with dialogue and audience participation encouraged throughout. Workshop participants will be encouraged to consider their goals for engaging, defining target audiences, and developing effective messages to support their network of ecologists who are interested in science communication and development.