Webinar- A Fish's Eye View: Snorkeling Freshwater Streams in the U.S.

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ 

Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group

2018 Webinar Series

Date: April 17, 2018
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT

Description: We often perceive that there isn’t much to see beneath the surface of our nation’s freshwater rivers and streams, but once we look underwater, an amazing world appears. Fish of incredibly diverse colors, shapes and behaviors live in freshwater ecosystems. The streams themselves create otherworldly, breathtaking streamscapes, giving humans willing to submerge themselves the opportunity to witness incredible ecological feats such as thousand-mile fish migrations, predator-prey interactions, or the vibrant colors of mating displays. The underwater world of our rivers and streams is unexpected, largely unnoticed and amazing! They are thriving aquatic communities, composed of subjects intimately tied to one another and to humans through an aquatic matrix.

Snorkeling establishes powerful connections between people and rivers, and is one of the most intimate interactions we can have with a river, experiencing the movement and organisms of a moving water body on its own terms. Snorkeling allows us to bond with subjects that are intertwined in these aquatic communities, granting us new perspectives and reasons to care about the importance of clean water. The ways in which rivers, and the creatures that live in them, are woven into our cultural and natural heritage become apparent.

Join underwater naturalist Keith Williams and share his adventures of exploring and discovering the underwater world of our nation’s rivers and streams. Keith will discuss how to establish successful river snorkeling programs to encourage fish watching.

Connection:
Join the webinar at fwc.adobeconnect.com/
wildlifeviewing (sign in as guest, with first
and last name, no password required).
Conference call audio: 888-670-3525
Participant code: 835-369-4269

Download the Flyer Here.

Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and partners seek nominations for Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards

Nominations due by April 13

  

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and its members and partners are seeking nominations for the Climate Adaptation Leadership Award (Award) which recognizes outstanding efforts to increase the resilience of America’s valuable living natural resources and the many people, businesses and communities that depend on them.

The Climate Award Leadership Award was established in 2016 to recognize exemplary leadership by individuals, agencies, businesses and other organizations to reduce impacts and advance adaptation of the nation’s vital natural resources in a changing world.

Previous Award recipients for 2016 and 2017 have been recognized for outstanding leadership in resource management, science, education, training and other goals of the National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy.

Nominations will be accepted until April 13. Individuals, groups, organizations, and government agencies are eligible to apply. Five to seven Awards (and Honorable Mentions) are expected to be announced in September 2018.

Fish, wildlife, and plant resources provide billions of dollars in economic activity, millions of jobs, and many other important benefits and services to Americans every year including food, clean water and air, building materials, storm protection, tourism, and recreation. The Award recognizes efforts to reduce impacts and sustain these valuable living resources and the many businesses and communities that depend on them every day.

Led by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and its Climate Change Committee, the Award is given out each year in collaboration with federal and state government partners including the USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and others.

For more information about the Award or how to apply, please visit the Climate Adaptation Leadership Award web site: https://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/award.php.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America's fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. For more information about the Association, please visit: https://www.fishwildlife.org

Webinar Series: Marine Protected Area Management and the Role of Federal Agencies, States and the Public

Hosted by AFWA’s Ocean Resources Policy Committee

Please join us this Tuesday, February 13th , from 2-3:30ET for the third and final installment in the AFWA webinar series on U.S. marine protected area (MPA) programs. Tuesday’s webinar will be focusing on MPA Programs at the Department of Interior.

Each webinar in this series will feature presentations on individual federal agency MPA programs and will discuss legal authorities, program objectives, designation processes, management approaches, relationships with state governments, stakeholder engagement and public involvement. The webinars will be formatted to allow for interactive discussion and questions with the federal agency representatives after each formal presentation. Please see the attached invitation and below for more information how to join the discussion!

In the event you were not able to join us for the first two webinars in this series you may view them by following the links below:

MPA's 101

Marine Protected Area Programs at NOAA

Upcoming Webinar: Marine Protected Area Programs at DOI

February 13th, 2:00-3:30 ET

Presenters:
Samantha Brooke - Coastal & Marine Team Lead, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pete Leary - Marine Program Coordinator, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Cliff McCreedy - Marine Resource Management Specialist, Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch, National Park Service.

This webinar will include presentations on coastal and marine National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges and Marine National Monuments.


How to Join:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2029254650788729858

After registering via the link above, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please feel free to forward the information about this webinar series to any of your colleagues who may have an interest in this topic!

Contact Devin DeMario (ddemario@fishwildlife.org or 202-838-2562) with any questions or concerns.

Job Announcement- Open Recruitment for an Adaptation Program Manager

We're Hiring!! Open recruitment for an Adaptation Program Manager.

Position Title: Adaptation Program Manager

Position Location: Washington, D. C.

Reports To: Science Advisor

Job Type: Exempt / full-time

Salary: Commensurate with experience. Please include salary expectations in cover letter.

AFWA Background: The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, founded in 1902, represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies. It promotes sound management and conservation, and speaks with a collective voice on important fish and wildlife issues. The Association is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) trade association. See www.fishwildlife.org for more information.

Position Summary: The Adaptation Program Manager manages the Association’s programs and activities related to climate adaptation, providing leadership in managing national efforts to develop and implement practical climate adaptation strategies for fish, wildlife and habitats.

Duties: Manage and facilitate a collaborative partnership of government agencies, academia, industry, and NGOs which is developing and implementing climate adaptation activities for the benefit of fish, wildlife, and habitats, as outlined in the “National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy” and the State Wildlife Action Plans.

Provide staff support for the AFWA Climate Change Committee and its affiliated subcommittees and working groups, including monthly conference calls and in-person meetings. Help advance the work of state fish and wildlife agencies (including marine resource agencies) and partners for climate-ready fish and wildlife management.

Produce and distribute a regular e-newsletter, the “AFWA Climate Change Round-Up,” to AFWA members and partners.

Facilitate the administration of an annual “Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources,” in partnership with state and federal agencies and the AFWA Climate Change Committee.

Create and facilitate the development of a “community of practice” among climate adaptation professionals at state and federal agencies through regular communications such as webinars, workshops, special conference sessions, conference calls, training sessions, and other learning and networking opportunities.

Represent AFWA on the steering committee overseeing the annual “Climate Academy” course at the National Conservation Training Center.

Represent AFWA at national conferences and meetings of committees and working groups that are focused on natural resource climate adaptation.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Outstanding written and verbal communications skills; strong organizational and people skills; experience facilitating diverse multi-stakeholder groups; ability to work independently and as part of a team; prior experience working in a fast-paced office environment; excellent understanding of climate change and climate adaptation as related to wildlife or natural resource management; knowledge of wildlife and natural resource management as currently practiced in the United States; understanding of the role that state fish and wildlife agencies play in conservation.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Conservation Biology or related field; Master’s degree preferred.

Travel: 10% of time (~6-12 trips per year).

Desired Work Experience: At least 5 years’ relevant work experience in fish or wildlife conservation; experience working in a state, provincial, or federal wildlife or natural resource agency in the United States or Canada a strong plus.

Application Process: Please submit a letter of interest and CV to John Lord, Director of Operations at  jlord@fishwildlife.org. Applications must include salary expectations.


Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 21, 2018, or until a suitable candidate is found.

You can download this announcement here!

Webinar: A Vulnerability Assessment Tool (“SAVS”) to Evaluate Species Response to Environmental Stressors Including Climate Change

Due to the government shutdown, we are unfortunately postponing the AFWA – U. S. Forest Service webinar on species vulnerability assessments which had originally been scheduled for Wednesday, January 24^th.   We will post a new announcement about this webinar once it has been rescheduled.

Webinar presented by the U.S. Forest Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Abstract: Species’ response to disturbances are often difficult to assess, especially where such disturbances have large scale and interactive impacts. Climate change represents a major challenge for wildlife management because its impacts are ubiquitous but also likely to vary across diverse landscapes. Further, individual wildlife species exhibit a range of coping mechanisms and sensitivities to climate related change in habitat and biotic communities challenging attempts to predict impacts. Vulnerability assessments provide a method for developing relevant information that can help wildlife managers identify priorities for actions that may reduce impacts. The System for Assessing Vulnerability of Species (SAVS) to climate change was developed as a tool that would quantify species’ vulnerability to climate and related disturbances. SAVS is easily implemented using expert knowledge or literature and provides scores that indicated overall species vulnerability to expected changes. The SAVS system also identifies the primary ways in which a species might be affected by climate related changes in habitat, physiological limitations, phenology, and biotic interactions. This information is critical to efforts to identify potential intervention points. During this presentation, I will describe SAVS and discuss its use in several wildlife management assessments for federal and State planning efforts.

Dr. Megan Friggens
Research Ecologist
U.S. Forest Service
Research & Development
Rocky Mountain Research Station

Wednesday, January 24
3 p.m. Eastern/2 p.m. Central/ 1 p.m. Mountain/12 p.m. Pacific

To join the webinar:
Step 1: For audio, dial: 1-800-768-2983, and use access code: 8383462
Step 2: Web Login: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/11qsccjgfyg4a&eom

Contacts: Monica Tomosy (mstomosy@fs.fed.us) or John Rothlisberger (jrothlisberger@fs.fed.us)

Download the flyer here.

Webinar Series: Marine Protected Area Management and the Role of Federal Agencies, States and the Public

Hosted by AFWA’s Ocean Resources Policy Committee

Please join us this Thursday, January 11^th,  from 2-3:30ET for the second installment in the AFWA webinar series on U.S. marine protected area (MPA) programs. Thursday’s webinar will be focusing on MPA Programs at NOAA.

Each webinar in this series will feature presentations on individual federal agency MPA programs and will discuss legal authorities, program objectives, designation processes, management approaches, relationships with state governments, stakeholder engagement and public involvement. The webinars will be formatted to allow for interactive discussion and questions with the federal agency representatives after each formal presentation. Please see the attached invitation and below for more information how to join the discussion!

In the event you were not able to join us in December for the first webinar in this series titled MPA’s 101, you may view it by following this link.

Marine Protected Area Programs at NOAA

January 11^th, 2:00-3:30 ET

Presenters:

Matt Stout, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Heather Sagar, NOAA Fisheries

Kim Texeira, Office for Coastal Management

This webinar will include presentations on National Marine Sanctuaries, Marine National Monuments, National Estuarine Research Reserves and MPAs managed by NOAA Fisheries.

How to Join

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7676849946596709121

After registering via the link above, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please feel free to forward the information about this webinar series to any of your colleagues who may have an interest in this topic!

Contact Devin DeMario (ddemario@fishwildlife.org or 202-838-2562) with any questions or concerns.

Download the Invitation Flyer here. 

Webinar Series: Marine Protected Area Management and the Role of Federal Agencies, States and the Public

Hosted by AFWA’s Ocean Resources Policy Committee

Please join us for a webinar series on U.S. marine protected area (MPA) programs. Each webinar will feature presentations on individual federal agency MPA programs and will discuss legal authorities, program objectives, designation processes, management approaches, relationships with state governments, stakeholder engagement and public involvement. The webinars will be formatted to allow for interactive discussion and questions with the federal agency representatives after each formal presentation. Please see the attached invitation and below for more information on upcoming opportunities and how to join the discussion!

Marine Protected Areas 101

December 14^th, 2:00-3:00 ET

Presenter:

Lauren Wenzel,  Director

U.S. National Marine Protected Areas Center

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (bio attached)

This webinar will provide an introductory overview from the National Marine Protected Areas Center to the nation’s MPA programs, including the definition of an MPA, and the different federal, state and partnership programs that manage MPAs.

How to Join

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2440866722858812417

After registering via the link above, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please feel free to forward the information about this webinar series to any of your colleagues who may have an interest in this topic!

Contact Devin DeMario (ddemario@fishwildlife.org or 202-838-2562) with questions.

Click to Download Flyer

Click to View Lauren Wenzel's Bio

Statement from the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Supporting the Introduction of the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies supports the introduction the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act of 2017 (H.R. 4454). This legislation would authorize critical funding to state and tribal agencies responsible for wildlife management to implement surveillance, monitoring and management strategies to address Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Representatives Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced the legislation on Tuesday, November 21, 2017.

“Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease that affects members of the deer family, and may be one of the biggest challenges in modern wildlife conservation history,” stated Virgil Moore, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Director of Idaho Fish and Game. “This legislative package, if passed, will move forward and strengthen state and tribal chronic wasting disease management strategies by providing critical funding to help protect our nation’s wildlife.”

“The Association strongly supports this important legislation,” said Executive Director Ron Regan. “The state fish and wildlife agencies stand ready to work cooperatively with their state, federal and other conservation partners to address this serious wildlife health issue.”

Specifically, the CWD Management Act will:

• Authorize critical funding to state and tribal agencies responsible for wildlife management to implement management strategies to address CWD.
• Direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make grants to expand and accelerate applied research on CWD.
• Directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior to work cooperatively with the states to conduct research and implement state CWD response plans to reduce the spread and prevalence of the disease.

Check out AFWA's press release here.

Webinar: Quantifying the Economic Contributions of Fish & Wildlife Habitat Management

Presented by the U.S. Forest Service and the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies

Abstract: The presentation will illustrate currently existing opportunities for the economic valuation of wildlife and fish management. This will include a description of how agencies and partners are well-positioned to apply concepts from economists to inform natural resource management decision-making, enhance reporting, and gauge whether agencies are meeting changing public demands. We will touch on the many challenges state and federal agencies face in trying to articulate social values, despite overwhelming public support for parks, forests, monuments and wildlife areas and a substantial amount of relevant economic research. We will share some tangible U.S. Forest Service products as models for the conservation community, and will have time to discuss how agencies and partners can collaborate to bring about a comprehensive economic narrative.

Presenter:
Jonas Epstein
Economic Research Fellow
U.S. Forest Service
National Forest System
Washington, DC

When:
Monday, November 6, 2017
1 pm EST/12pm Central/11am Mountain/10am Pacific

To join the webinar:
Step 1: For the Audio: Dial-in: 800.768.2983, access code: 8383462
Step 2: For the Slide Presentation: Web login: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1db9ke77n0be6&eom

Climate Academy 2018

Training Announcement: Climate Academy ALC3193
Natural resource and conversation professionals are tasked with understanding climate change impacts and using this knowledge in making decisions. This 8 week online course is designed to cover the fundamentals of climate science, provide an overview of tools and resources for climate adaptation, and increase climate literacy and communication skills. The course is designed to encourage networking among conservation professionals engaged in the management of fish, wildlife, habitat and cultural resources and provides participants an opportunity to interact with experts as they address case studies across multiple habitat types.

Beginning in January 2018, a webinar session with leading experts in these topics, will be held every week for 8 weeks, for a total of 8 sessions. There is a break the week of February 5th. Pre-webinar assignments, class resources and discussion forums will be accessed through Moodle, a distance learning platform (no special software required). Course participants will then develop a final product addressing climate change in their management of natural resources.

Objectives

• At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to:
• Explain the scientific basis of climate change.
• Understand biological impacts of climate change.
• Understand the role of vulnerability assessments and select decision support tools.
• Identify principles and tools of adaptation planning and examples of adaptation action.
• Effectively communicate climate change impacts to co-workers, stakeholders and management.
• Demonstrate how climate change integrates into their work.

Date

Webinars: Jan 10th 2018 - March 7th 2018

Break: week of February 5th

Wednesdays 1:30 -3:00 PM Eastern

Final project: due no later than March 23, 2018

Length

An estimated 3hrs/week will be spent towards participation in in lectures, discussions, and to complete reading assignments. Additional time for the final project will vary.

Location

Online

Who Should Attend

Natural resource and conservation professionals. Course is suitable for individuals or group participation.

College Credit

One semester hour is available on request.

CEUs are available through TWS.

Tuition

Tuition is $200.00

There is no tuition for FWS or NPS.

To Register

Register online at: http://training.fws.gov

NOTE: Please disregard the number of available seats. You will be notified via email concerning your enrollment status.

Registration closes October 27, 2017

Availability

Course offered annually.

Contact for Registration Questions

Jill Del Vecchio at (304) 876-7424 or

jill_delvecchio@fws.gov

Contact for Content Questions

Ashley Fortune at (304) 876-7438 or

ashley_fortune@fws.gov

Click here to download the flyer

Webinar: Dispersal Hazards of Pseudogymnoascus destructans by Bats and Human Activity at Hibernacula in Summer

A Webinar Presentation with:

Anne Ballmann, DVM, PhD

Wildlife Disease Specialist, USGS-National Wildlife Health Center

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017, 2:30 PM Eastern Time

To Participate in the Webinar:
Step 1: Dial-In for the Audio: 1-800-768-2983; Use Access Code: 8383462
Step 2: Web Login for the Video: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1o8mcagbdhff0&eom

Abstract: Bats occupying hibernacula during summer are exposed to Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), and may contribute to its dispersal. Furthermore, equipment and clothing exposed to cave environments are a potential source for human-assisted spread of Pd. To explore dispersal hazards for Pd during the nonhibernal season, we tested samples that were collected from bats, the environment, and equipment at hibernacula in the eastern US between 18 July–22 August 2012. Study sites included six hibernacula known to harbor bats with Pd with varying winter-count impacts from WNS and two hibernacula (control sites) without prior history of WNS. Nucleic acid from Pd was detected from wing-skin swabs or guano from 40 of 617 bats (7% prevalence), including males and females of five species at five sites where WNS had previously been confirmed as well as from one control site. Analysis of guano collected during summer demonstrated a higher apparent prevalence of Pd among bats (17%, 37/223) than did analysis of wing-skin swabs (1%, 4/617). Viable Pd cultured from wing skin (2%, 1/56) and low recapture rates at all sites suggested bats harboring Pd during summer could contribute to pathogen dispersal. Additionally, Pd DNA was detected on clothing and trapping equipment used inside and near hibernacula, and Pd was detected in sediment more readily than in swabs of hibernaculum walls. Statistically significant differences in environmental abundance of Pd were not detected among sites, but prevalence of Pd differed between sites and among bat species. Overall, bats using hibernacula in summer can harbor Pd on their skin and in their guano, and demonstration of Pd on clothing, traps, and other equipment used at hibernacula during summertime within the WNS-affected region indicates risk for pathogen dispersal during the nonhibernal season.

Forthcoming paper in Journal of Wildlife Disease: http://www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/pdf/10.7589/2016-09-206?code=wdas-site

Webinar: Effects of Climate Change on Inland Fish and Fisheries: Global, North American, and Management Perspectives

Hosted by AFWA’s Climate Change Committee and Fisheries and Water Resources Policy Committee

Join us for a webinar featuring research from the USGS’s National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center. The presentation will cover documented and projected effects of climate change on inland fishes and proposed opportunities for adaptation. The speakers will draw from two important publications including “Global synthesis of the documented and projected effects of climate change on inland fishes” and “Climate change effects on North American inland fish populations and assemblages”.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017
1:00-2:00pm EST

Speakers
Abigail J. Lynch, USGS, National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center
Bonnie J. E. Myers, USGS, National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center

How to Join
Click here to join the meeting: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1rj4v71g7w74m&eom
Dial-In Number: 800.768.2983, enter Access Code: 8383462
Contact Davia Palmeri (dpalmeri@fishwildlife.org or 202-838-3464) with questions.

Webinar: Overview of the Animal Welfare Act and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs)

Abstract: The USDA Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is the federal law initially written to pertain to animals used in biomedical research but which has been amended in recent years to include animals in wildlife research. Institutions involved in wildlife research have established Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) to ensure compliance with the AWA. The US Forest Service is amongst several federal and state wildlife agencies that have established IACUCs and have realized the benefit for their research scientists. This webinar will review the requirements of the AWA and its regulations, help to understand key terminology and where to find informational resources, explain the role and responsibilities of the IACUC, and discuss perspectives on determining when/if IACUC oversight is needed in wildlife research and other wildlife activities to ensure ethical use of wildlife resources and to promote distribution of scientific knowledge.

Speaker: 
Dr. Patrice Klein
Attending Veterinarian, USFS IACUC; and National Program Lead, Fish & Wildlife Health, U.S. Forest Service Research & Development- Washington Office

Date: Tuesday, August 29,
Time: 2 PM Eastern 1 PM Central 12 PM Mountain 11 AM Pacific

To join the webinar:
Step 1: For the audio,
Dial: 800.768.2983,
Access code: 8383462
Step 2: Web Log-in: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/18dryus51iu0d&eom

Contacts: Monica Tomosy (mstomosy@fs.fed.us)
and Nicole Zimmerman (nzimmerman@fs.fed.us)

Webinar presented by the U.S. Forest Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Webinar: What Natural Resource Managers should know about Genetic Technology Terminology & Techniques to Understand the Consideration of Value verses Risk

Webinar presented by the U.S. Forest Service and the Association of Fish & Wildlife

Agencies.

Abstract: New gene editing techniques have arisen recently (e.g. CRISPR/CAS9), with many possible applications in fish and wildlife management and conservation. These new approaches have shown considerable potential in areas such as invasive species control, wildlife disease management, and imperiled species recovery. However, there are also significant challenges for state and federal agencies in determining how, when and whether to apply these new technologies. To help prepare you for any discussions, we provide you here with an explanation of terms, techniques in use, and what some scientists and managers are asking. Examples will be given based on ongoing work with the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which causes White-nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats.

Dr. Daniel Lindner
Research Plant Pathologist
U.S. Forest Service
Research & Development
Northern Research Station




When: Thursday, July 27, 2 p.m. Eastern/1 Central/ 12 p.m. Mountain/11 a.m. Pacific

To join the webinar:
Step 1: For audio, dial: 800.768.2983, access code: 8383462
Step 2: Web Login: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1wifnrle7whdo&eom

Contacts: Monica Tomosy (mstomosy@fs.fed.us) and Nicole Zimmerman (nzimmerman@fs.fed.us)

Download the flyer here.

Wind & Wildlife Workshop

Week of October 9, 2017

National Wind Technology Center
Broomfield, Colorado

This is a classroom and field based workshop held at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center1 in Broomfield, CO2, where attendees will learn about current techniques for studying the impacts of wind turbines on bats, grassland birds, and raptors. Expert instructors will lead discussions topics including:

• Pre-construction surveys
• Post-construction fatality monitoring
• Fatality estimators
• Thermal and near-infrared videography
• Impact reduction strategies and mitigation options

Attendees will gain hands-on experience using these techniques and field equipment at actual wind turbines. In addition, attendees will get practical experience using the latest software to estimate bird and bat fatalities. The workshop agenda, registration, and hotel information will be distributed by mid-July. For immediate notification once this information is available, email Rebecca Patterson (rpatterson@batcon.org) to be added to the Wind and Wildlife Workshop email list.

Registration is open to anyone who is interested. This workshop will help individuals plan projects, implement field methods, interpret reports, and better understand wildlife and wind energy issues. The diversity of participants and instructors will provide multiple perspectives related to these issues.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has set aside funds to provide for registration, airfare, hotel and per diem for state fish and wildlife biologists. If you are interested in attending and need funding for travel, please contact Davia Palmeri (dpalmeri@fishwildlife.org; 202-838-3464).

Click here to download the flyer.

Webinar: Ranchers and Beavers- Social Aspects of Beaver-related Watershed Restoration in Western Rangelands

Webinar presented by the U.S. Forest Service and the
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies:

Abstract: This research focuses on the Great Basin and investigates how to create a socially enabling
environment for using beaver-related restoration approaches to restore incised stream channels, improve in-stream habitat for fish, enhance riparian habitat for wildlife, and promote climate change adaptation on western rangelands. These approaches include installing artificial structures that mimic the effects of beaver dams in streams and encourage beavers to take over, and undertaking habitat
restoration that causes beavers to naturally colonize an area. The research considers factors
such as the perspectives of ranchers who own private lands or graze on public lands where the restoration activities are to occur; the costs and benefits of beavers and beaver dams to ranchers; how to mitigate potential costs to them; regulatory and policy restrictions that make restoration challenging; and incentives to promote conservation and restoration activities. It is one example of the kind of research we could do to address the question of how to create a more socially-enabling environment for habitat restoration and conservation projects more broadly.

Contacts: Monica Tomosy (mstomosy@fs.fed.us) and Nicole Zimmerman (nzimmerman@fs.fed.us)

Presenter:
Dr. Susan Charnley
Author of Stitching the West Back Together: Conservation of Working Landscapes
Research Social Scientist, U.S. Forest Service Research & Development
Pacific Northwest Research Station

Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2017,
Time: 2 p.m. Eastern/1 Central/ 12 p.m. Mountain/11 a.m. Pacific

To join the webinar:
Step 1: For audio, dial:
800.768.2983, access code: 8383462

Step 2: Web Login:
https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1c4cwvkexcjji&eom

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Partners with the BAND Foundation

Washington D.C. (May 4, 2017) - The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is pleased to announce a partnership focused on fish and wildlife health, in collaboration with Bat Conservation International, the Amphibian Survival Alliance, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, the Center for Invasive Species Prevention, and five universities in the United States.

Disease is rapidly emerging as a major threat to wildlife globally. While wildlife diseases are not new, human actions are dramatically increasing their spread and impact. The partnership between the BAND Foundation and the Association will lead to more effective responses to emerging wildlife diseases.  Three specific emerging pathogens that affect bats (White-nose syndrome (WNS)), salamanders (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal)) and sea stars (Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD)) are of immediate concern in the United States. These families of animals play vital roles as ecosystem engineers across a range of habitats from agricultural landscapes to forests to intertidal zones. This project provides funding for critical research and monitoring to better understand the diseases that threaten them, aims to catalyze a public policy framework for tackling wildlife disease more broadly and strategically, and seeks to leverage additional dollars to address this critical issue.

“State fish & wildlife agencies are on the front lines of wildlife disease prevention. This much needed funding will go a long way to prevent and prepare for disease outbreaks through the United States,” said Nick Wiley, President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.

A conference to bring together experts in science and management of various wildlife diseases will be convened in 2018, to help further identify needs and improve communication and responses.

Funding for this collaborative effort was provided by the BAND Foundation, a charitable foundation whose mission includes conservation of wildlife and plant species and combatting wildlife diseases.

For more information about this new partnership, please contact Priya Nanjappa (202.838.3463/pnanjappa@fishwildlife.org) or Jonathan Mawdsley (202.838.3462/jmawdsley@fishwildlife.org).

Trapping Matters Workshop

Workshop held at the Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Annual Conference

The Association will be hosting a “Trapping Matters Workshop” during the WAFWA Annual Conference in Vail, Colorado on Saturday, July 8, 2017.  “Trapping Matters” is a professional development workshop that qualifies participants for 7 hours of credit with The Wildlife Society. Participants will be instructed in how to use proven key messages for effective communication about trapping with the media and public.  Participants are also given hands-on instruction in the use of commonly used trapping devices and provided with sound scientific information about trapping and furbearer management.  For registration or questions contact: Bryant White at bwhite@fishwildlife.org

Click here for more information.

Citizen science team monitors a deadly fungus threatening amphibian communities in northern California

Webinar presented by the U.S. Forest Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies:

                                              

Abstract: Citizen science projects increasingly are making important contributions to conservation science. Most citizen science projects solicit opportunistic reports of observations from the general public. However, the need for targeted and standardized citizen science sampling schemes has been recognized. In this webinar, we will share a case study in which the USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station partnered with an invested volunteer group to conduct citizen science to answer a specific conservation question. We discuss why and how the partnership between research scientists, state agencies, and citizens was successful at creating important research and educational products, while also maintaining participant motivation through education, enjoyment, and societal contribution. We partnered with the McKinleyville, California “EcoClub” to assess the distribution and prevalence of the

deadly amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, or “chytrid fungus”, among amphibians of public lands in Humboldt County, California. EcoClub youth and supervising family members comprised a multigenerational (4 to 74 years old) and multiethnic (39% Latino, Native American, or African-American heritage) citizen science program that reflected the local community structure. The team’s objectives were to use citizen science to understand the status and distribution of the fungus within local amphibian communities and to evaluate whether citizen science with children could be an effective strategy for conducting viable research on a significant wildlife disease problem such as chytridiomycosis. From May 2013 to April 2015, the EcoClub conducted 29 sampling trips and collected skin swabs from 230 amphibians of eight of species. The team’s results were recently published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases and demonstrated that children are effective samplers and that an energized team of citizens can make a difference for conservation science.

Contacts: Monica Tomosy (mstomosy@fs.fed.us) and Nicole Zimmerman (nzimmerman@fs.fed.us)

PRESENTER

Dr. Karen Pope

Research Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Forest Service Research & Development

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Wednesday, May 24th, 2017 2 p.m. Eastern/1 Central/ 12 p.m. Mountain/11 a.m. Pacific

To join the webinar:

Step 1: For audio, dial: 800.768.2983, access code: 8383462

Step 2: Web Login:  https://cc.callinfo.com/r/12bxo1fahz22q&eom  

Webinar - Solar with Monarch Habitat: a Win-Win in the Land of Milkweed and Honey

Thursday April 6, 2017  

Webinar: 2:00-3:00 Eastern (1-2 PM Central)

Solar with Monarch Habitat: a Win-Win in the Land of Milkweed and Honey with Eric Udelhofen (OneEnergy Renewables) and Rob Davis (Fresh Energy). Register here!

This webinar will discuss the science and safety of photovoltaic solar and the growing trend of planting pollinator habitat under and around ground-mounted solar panels. In 2016 alone, nearly 2,500 acres of solar sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin were seeded with millions of native flowers and grasses including black-eyed susans, side-oats grama, purple prairie clover, butterfly milkweed, and calico aster.

Eric Udelhofen, development director from OneEnergy Renewables, will discuss site selection for large-scale solar arrays, including existing land use, utility interconnection, topography and other environmental factors. He will give an overview of what the development process looks like, discuss construction and provide insight into what an installation actually looks like.

Rob Davis, of 501(c)3 nonprofit Fresh Energy, will discuss its work in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, Monarch Joint Venture, the Gund Institue for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont, and others to establish standards as to what constitutes “pollinator friendly solar.” Rob will delve into the history of how pollinator-friendly solar was imported from the UK, where it is a common practice. Rob will outline how Fresh Energy and Audubon Minnesota built a bipartisan coalition of support for a statewide standard for vegetation on solar sites, including support from prominent agricultural legislative leaders and advocacy organizations.

Rob and Eric will both discuss the public and environmental benefits provided by pollinator-friendly solar sites as well as standard practices of pollinator meadow management on solar sites, and will describe some of the benefits to solar project owners over the long-term, including reduced maintenance expenses, improved stormwater infiltration, and greater community acceptance.

Register here!

More info here: http://monarchjointventure.org/news-events/events