Abstract
The Ecological Society of America initiated the Certification Program in 1981. At that time, the primary purpose of the program was to recognize "ecologists who seek to incorporate ecological principles in decision making, who meet a minimum set of standards in education and experience, and who adhere to high ethical standards," according to the program guidelines. Certification as an ecologist is now required or strongly encouraged in several states and by some major consulting firms. Formal certification has been important for ecologists involved in expert testimony in courts and in Congress. The most important reason for supporting certification of ecologists is quite basic: certification will define the standards and formally identify the profession of ecologist