Field Inclusive launches 4th Annual Field Inclusive Week – Rooted in Resilience
January 8, 2026 | FIELD INCLUSIVE
For immediate release
Contact: Field Inclusive; info@fieldinclusive.org
Registration is now open for the upcoming annual Field Inclusive Week, a virtual celebration dedicated to all field biologists and outdoor enthusiasts.
Field Inclusive Week originally began in 2023 with the purpose of celebrating all field biologists and nature enthusiasts. For 2026, Field Inclusive (FI) is excited to host its annual week of virtual celebration, which runs from January 18th through January 24th. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Resilience.”
New and Featured Events for 2026
For 2026, FI is including a 2026 Field Inclusive Week BioBlitz, where participants from around the world can connect over a mutual love of nature and appreciation for biodiversity. The BioBlitz will take place throughout the entire week.
The week’s scheduled events include a mix of workshops, panel discussions, and breakout sessions.
Featured Events and Speakers:
Healing in Nature: Creative Workshop: This event will be led by Daniel Hatcher and Field Inclusive, in collaboration with the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. Daniel Hatcher, who is certified in Nature and Forest Therapy, is a nationally recognized workshop facilitator and a Strala Yoga Guide. This workshop is scheduled for January 18th from 10AM-12PM EST and will be held at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens and via Zoom.
Resilience in Action: Table Talks with FI Awardees (Breakout): This event on January 19th (4-5PM EST) will feature Nathália Susin Streher, Amanda Potts, Isabel Pen, and Alejandra Betancourt-Rial. The awardees include Nathália Streher, a postdoctoral researcher studying pollinator-mediated interactions, Isabel Pen, a queer Latina marine biologist pursuing a PhD focusing on sea anemones, Amanda Potts, a fourth-year Ph.D. student studying evolutionary biology, and Alejandra Betancourt-Rial, a Ph.D. candidate specializing in forest conservation at NC State University.
Engage, Empower, Transform: Researchers Driving DEI in the Natural Sciences (Panel): Scheduled for January 20th (3-4PM EST), this panel will feature Jaida Elcock, Jose Gonzolez, and Erika Marin – Spiotta. Panelists include José G. González, Founder of Latino Outdoors and Equity Officer for the East Bay Regional Park District, Jaida Elcock, a PhD Candidate researching basking shark and whale shark movement ecology and habitat use, and Dr. Erika Marín-Spiotta, lead PI of the ADVANCEGeo Partnership which focuses on transforming workplace climate.
Voices for Change: Allyship in Outdoor Spaces & Workplaces (Panel): Taking place on January 21st (3-4PM EST), the panel will include Jamila Blake, Oliver Nguyen, Dominique D. Hunter, and Cat Fribley. Speakers include Jamila Blake, a Senior Project Manager at AAAS focusing on accessible and equitable STEM career pathways, Oliver Nguyen, a PhD candidate focusing on urban ecology and environmental justice, Dominique Daye Hunter, a storyteller and CEO of D. Daye Hunter Designs, LLC, and Cat Fribley, the Executive Director of Birdability.
Roots of Connection: A Virtual Networking Event (Breakout): This networking event on January 22nd (3-4 PM ET) will feature Dr. Erim Gómez, Dr. Lauren Esposito, Dr. Karen Bailey, and Dr. Zakiya Leggett. Participants include Dr. Erim Gómez, an Assistant Professor of Wildlife Biology at the University of Montana, Dr. Karen Bailey, an Assistant Professor researching equitable conservation and justice in STEM, Dr. Lauren Esposito, an evolutionary biologist and founder of 500 Queer Scientists, and Dr. Zakiya Leggett, an Associate Professor of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University.
Bridging Worlds: The Power of Authenticity in SciCom (Workshop): Tamara Poles, Founder and CEO of Universal SciCom, will lead this workshop on January 23rd (3-4:30PM EST).
Together We Thrive – “Joy in the Journey: Reclaiming Space and Finding Healing Through Birding” (Closing Plenary): The week will conclude on January 24th (6-7PM EST) with Dexter Patterson, also known as the Wisco Birder. Dexter Patterson is an educator, author, and co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin.
Sponsorship and Support
Field Inclusive thanks all the sponsors and donors for FI Week 2026. Sponsoring organizations include the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Tangled Bank Conservation, and The Nature Conservancy – NC Chapter. Individual sponsors include Diana Wheeler.
Learn more about these events, meet our speakers, and register here.
We look forward to celebrating Field Inclusive Week 2026 with you!
###