Knowing Your Field Community: Elevating the Human Dimension in Ecological Research and Teaching.

This article focuses on the importance of integrating the human dimension in applied ecology research and education to better address environmental challenges of the Anthropocene. It proposes a framework that broadens participation and incorporates diverse cultural and racial perspectives within the social-ecological field community, emphasizing that who participates in defining research questions and resource management strategies significantly influences ecological outcomes. The authors advocate for inclusive teaching practices aligned with the Ecological Society of America's four-dimensional ecology education curricular framework (4DEE), enhanced by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) pedagogies, to support diverse undergraduate students' comfort, connection, confidence, and capacity in field experiences. Addressing systemic barriers and safety concerns for students of color in fieldwork is highlighted as essential for fostering a diverse environmental workforce capable of effective, culturally informed environmental problem-solving.