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November 29, 2012 the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Ocean, and Insular Affairs heard expert testimony relating to H.R. 501 which would list nine species of constrictor snakes as injurious under the Lacey Act.  It is […]

National Park Service staff capture a Burmese python (Credit: NPS)

November 29, 2012 the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Ocean, and Insular Affairs heard expert testimony relating to H.R. 501 which would list nine species of constrictor snakes as injurious under the Lacey Act.  It is illegal to import injurious wildlife into the US or move them across state lines.

Constrictor species pose a threat to native species and ecosystems, including, but not limited to, Federally-listed threatened and endangered species preyed upon when snakes are released or escape. These threats are not limited to south Florida and Puerto Rico, where three of these nine species already have invaded. Scientific evidence suggests that they could survive in the warmer regions across the southern tier of the United States as well as Hawaii and all of the island territories.

In February, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a final rule which listed only five of the species as injurious, after the 2010 Proposed Rule listed all nine. In 2011 Rep. Rooney (R-FL) introduced H.R. 511, which lists all nine species.

An amendment offered by the House Judiciary Committee which limits prosecution to those who “knowingly” violate the law was criticized for weakening the powers of the Lacey Act by supporters of the original bill. Minority witnesses representing small businesses involved in breeding these species testified against the bill.

Sources: E&E Publishing (E&E Daily News November 30, 2012), House Judiciary Committee, House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs

The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) has released a draft Communications Strategic Plan online for public comment.   The purpose of the plan is to increase visitation and awareness of the Refuge System and ultimately fostering the next generation of Refuge […]

In November 2012, I traveled to Bangalore, India, because I was asked to chair a committee to evaluate the master’s degree program in wildlife at the National Center of Biological Sciences (NCBS). The other committee members were Drs. Barry Noon […]

As part of our 75th Anniversary celebration, each issue of The Wildlifer features articles on the history of the Society. When the idea that ultimately led to the formation of The Wildlife Society was conceived in 1935, the driving need was […]

2013 Annual Conference Call for Proposals Call for Proposals: Workshops, Symposia, Panel Discussions, Breakfast Roundtables, and Special Poster Sessions Deadline is January 18, 2013. See complete information.

Holiday Break The Wildlife Society offices will be closed from December 24, 2012 through January 1, 2013. TWS Website As some of you may have noticed, The Wildlife Society website recently experienced technical difficulties, making access difficult or impossible. We […]

Five-Year Farm Bill Sign-on Sent to House On November 26, TWS and other conservation and sportsmen organizations sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives encouraging them to make the passage of a full five-year Farm Bill a priority […]

Call for Papers: Ecology and management of sage grouse The peer-reviewed journal Human–Wildlife Interactions is seeking manuscripts on the ecology and management of sage grouse for a special-topic issue to be published in 2013. Authors are encouraged to submit their papers via […]

The 46th Joint Annual Meeting of the New Mexico and Arizona Chapters of The Wildlife Society and Arizona/New Mexico Chapter of the American Fisheries Society will be held February 7-9, 2013, in Albuquerque, NM. Early registration deadline: December 31. Call […]

Credit: USFWS

The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) has released a draft Communications Strategic Plan online for public comment.   The purpose of the plan is to increase visitation and awareness of the Refuge System and ultimately fostering the next generation of Refuge supporters by guiding improved communications activities that reach key audiences throughout the next five years.  The draft was developed as a fulfillment of recommendations 14 and 15 in Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation, a document representing NWRS’ updated vision for the future of America’s wildlife refuges.

The draft Strategic Plan will be online for comment until January 16, 2013.  Individuals can view and comment the draft product by signing-up or signing-in to the social network.

 

You can also email comments to conservingthefuture@fws.gov or mail them to:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
NWRS-DVSC, Suite 634
4401 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
Attn: Vision Implementation Coordinator

In November 2012, I traveled to Bangalore, India, because I was asked to chair a committee to evaluate the master’s degree program in wildlife at the National Center of Biological Sciences (NCBS). The other committee members were Drs. Barry Noon from Colorado State University (also a TWS member), and Mewa Singh from the University of Mysore in Mysore, India. We were tasked to address numerous questions about the program. One was to contrast the program with other M.S. programs in wildlife at the international level. When viewed in this light, the review took on a different flavor — one of looking at an institution from the mountaintops, so to speak. The experience was a real eye-opener.

The NCBS is one of only two formal institutions in India that educates wildlife biologists; the other is the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehra Dun. As our committee contemplated the role of NCBS’s program at the international level, we relied on our combined experience with national and international education, but we also often returned to examples of education from TWS.

During our deliberations with faculty, students, alumni, and others in India, it became very apparent that TWS stands at the heart of the education of future wildlifers — directly and indirectly. Thus, I thought that outlining our Society’s involvement would be a powerful way to inform you of activities you may not be familiar with in the educational arena and also keep you appraised of the fantastic works that the TWS staff does on your behalf.

The Wildlife Society has been a leader in analyzing the current state of educational programs and career opportunities for those interested in careers in wildlife management and conservation. For example, TWS’s current Vice President Rick Baydack of the University of Manitoba chaired a special ad hoc Committee on Collegiate Wildlife Programs that in 2009 issued a comprehensive report on wildlife education in North America. One year later, Baydack chaired TWS’s special Blue Ribbon Panel on wildlife education. Its final report — titled “The Future of the Wildlife Profession and its Implications for Training the Next Generation of Wildlife Professionals” — is an essential resource for any institution or hiring agency interested in the future of education in this field.

The Wildlife Society has also actively participated in advancing the education of wildlife students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Each year we provide four student conclaves in the U.S. and one in Canada, giving students from different schools a chance to come together to learn, compete, and network with mentors. These events provide great opportunities for students to see how students from other universities operate and contribute to conservation and management. They also offer a level of hands-on education that is not available in the classroom or in the halls of academia, but is very important to budding effective wildlifers.

In addition to conclaves, TWS offers its hugely popular student-professional mixer and Quiz Bowl at the Annual Conference, as well as an annual Career Fair and various grant programs designed specifically to help create opportunities for Native Americans and others who have been historically underrepresented in the profession. TWS also provides online mentoring so students can obtain advice or get skilled opinions from professionals afield. Likewise, we have an online career center with information about summer jobs and permanent jobs that might be available upon graduation.

One of the Society’s strongest programs to nurture the next generation of wildlife professionals is our Leadership Institute, which provides training for select graduate students and young professionals to they can advance in their careers. The Leadership Institute involves online classes and training exercises that culminate with a presentation to TWS Council at the Annual Conference. Since the origin of the Institute, several of the ideas presented to Council have been implemented including the addition of a student representative on Council member, the creation of working groups and workshops, and programs geared toward underrepresented students..

The Society’s working groups for students and early-career professionals provide a system for networking and learning about educational and career opportunities. Various departments at TWS headquarters in Maryland offer internship opportunities for qualified students and young professionals who are interested in wildlife management and conservation. And the Society has more than 200 subunits — including student and state chapters and regional sections — that offer annual meetings and events where students can meet professionals, network, and perhaps serve on committees or become an officer or chair.

Young professionals may also find opportunities to learn from and contribute to some of TWS’s many publications and peer-reviewed journals, including The Wildlifer, The Wildlife Professional, The Journal of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Monographs, the Wildlife Society Bulletin, books, and Technical Reviews. In addition, there are many newsletters and other publishing outlets available at the state and regional level of TWS.

All of these opportunities enhance the education of beginning wildlife professionals and can be used by any member anywhere in the world — including budding wildlifers at the NCBS in Bangalore, India, where our committee was able to share some of TWS’s offerings with our colleagues abroad. The Wildlife Society is smack dab in the middle of the educational process with numerous programs that can benefit you. Use them!

This will likely be my last time in the “bully pulpit” as a member of Council or as an interim member of the TWS staff and I want to acknowledge Lisa Moore. Lisa was inspirational in assisting me to get my message out in an understandable manner with her popular writing experience — something I lack. Many thanks, Lisa.

As part of our 75th Anniversary celebration, each issue of The Wildlifer features articles on the history of the Society.

When the idea that ultimately led to the formation of The Wildlife Society was conceived in 1935, the driving need was a means for wildlife conservation professionals to communicate with one another on issues and problems of common concern. The mechanism to accomplish this began with a simple two-pronged approach: an annual meeting and the Journal of Wildlife Management, with four issues published annually. Soon after, in 1938, the first TWS subunit, the Northeast Section formed, and in 1939 TWS launched Wildlife Society Information, the predecessor to our current newsletter (The Wildlifer). The growth in membership and establishment of chapters and sections and associated meetings indicated the desire for wildlife conservation professionals to communicate and share information was real.

The beginnings of TWS occurred during one of the most dynamic periods in the history of wildlife conservation. TWS’s creation was influenced heavily by events set in place by the 1930 American Game Policy that, among many other actions, called for the establishment of a wildlife profession. The conservation movement that began in the mid-19th century transformed into a new phase, with restoration of populations and habitats as the new focus.

Changes that have occurred in TWS in the years following its creation reflect the dynamics of the times. The next major period of dynamic change in the conservation movement occurred during the 1960s and 1970s with federal and state mandates for environmental protections and a broadening of the scope of taxa agency wildlife biologists were responsible for. The 1973 North American Wildlife Policy, published in the new Wildlife Society Bulletin (1:73-92), articulated this. Another article in volume 1 of the Bulletin titled “From fish and wildlife officer to environmental conservation officer” reflected the “new normal” as well (1:128-130).

When one looks at TWS today, and compares it to those early years, the changes are profound. One would expect this to be the case, and scholars who have studied the growth and evolution of movements and organizations have identified patterns identical to that of TWS’s evolution. Of particular importance is the role of TWS during the growth and maturation of the wildlife profession.  TWS President Wini Kessler, in the November 2012 issue of The Wildlifer, discussed the importance of TWS making a difference, and her commitment to position TWS to be a catalyst.

Often it can be difficult to discern the impact of a particular organization on events that unfold. Such has been debated and discussed relative to the influence of the Boone and Crockett Club on the formation of the original conservation movement. Some argue it was the acts of individual members, not the Club itself. While individual members such as Congressman John Lacey in implementing the Yellowstone Park Protection Act and the Lacey Act, New York Assemblyman Carey Sanger writing the Adirondack Deer Law, or Madison Grant starting the New York Zoological Society, were responsible, I argue that if it were not for the collaborations, synergy and awareness fostered by their interactions within the Club, they may not have been inspired to seek these achievements.

The same can be argued for TWS. Many of our individual members have made profound contributions to wildlife conservation.  How many of these contributions began as ideas spawned at TWS conferences or meetings, or resulted from reviewing papers and articles in our publications? These intangibles are difficult if not impossible to document, but the creators of TWS knew the value of communications. What they could not forsee is what communication within TWS would look like in 2012, with the variety of publications and social media tools, and of course, our annual conference with thousands of wildlife professionals in attendance.

So for TWS to make a difference in moving the needle of conservation as president Kessler has affirmed our commitment to, we need catalysts. We have a Council comprised of exceptional professionals who volunteer to provide direction to TWS efforts, and a professional staff of extraordinary talent to move us in that direction, but the heart and soul of TWS has always been its membership.

As we move forward, TWS will be relevant if it can be a leader in identifying and addressing critical wildlife conservation issues.  We face enormous challenges. On the political front, wildlife conservation has not even been an afterthought during the recent elections, yet issues such as wolf management and energy development on public lands are prominent in the media. Will our society ever look beyond proximal concerns such as jobs and the economy and recognize the significance of wild nature in our health and quality of life?  Will we retain traditional wildlife-related pursuits as part of our national heritage? Will our landscapes be able to sustain wildlife diversity?

Every TWS member has some degree of passion for wildlife – it’s why we chose this profession. Our predecessors did as well, and they formed this great organization to help them deal with the challenges they were faced with. Often we become frustrated in our inability to effect meaningful change, working in our capacities within our organizations of employment. Take heed of president Kessler’s message and be an active participant at chapter, section, and working group meetings and our annual conference. Use the channels of communication that feed into our Government Affairs program through these venues.

With our membership at record high, more than ever TWS is positioned to make a difference, and we can lead our sister societies and conservation organizations to have the community speak with one voice, based on science and knowledge. We should be leading change, and exerting influence on societal attitudes and values towards wildlife resources with enlightened and informed public policy as a goal.

Much as punctuated equilibrium operates as an evolutionary mechanism on animal populations, TWS has evolved in response to dramatic changes in the conservation arena. A strong, diverse, and active membership will ensure a TWS of the future, while likely looking different from that of today (as we are different from the TWS of 1937), we will be adaptable, relevant, and influential, while retaining our ancestral DNA — the visions and values of Leopold, Murie, Jahn, Berryman, Peterle, and all who have built our legacy these past 75 years.

2013 Annual Conference Call for Proposals
Call for Proposals: Workshops, Symposia, Panel Discussions, Breakfast Roundtables, and Special Poster Sessions Deadline is January 18, 2013. See complete information.

This edition examines a variety of critical wildlife issues such as the impact of deer breeding on public trust wildlife, the ethics of wildlife photography, ongoing efforts to protect Vietnam’s rarest primate, and more. Read now!

        A Growing Threat How Deer Breeding Could Put Public Trust Wildlife at Risk By James E. Miller Working Group Takes on Mule Deer Continental Collaboration for Mule Deer Conservation By Anis Aoude The Ethics of Wildlife Photography Sticky Questions […]

A recent news story in Iowa’s The Gazette, dated September 21, 2012, began: “Iowa’s first seven cases of chronic wasting disease—all directly related to confined white-tailed deer—have put a bull’s eye on the backs of the state’s deer breeders and the pay-to-shoot […]

In 2010, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VTDFW) was caught off guard. State legislators passed a bill with a provision granting a private elk farmer ownership of wild moose and white-tailed deer that had become entrapped inside his 700-acre farm enclosure, where […]

These are interesting times for mule deer biologists across North America. They are excited and anxious as they implement and monitor new efforts by their respective states or provinces to improve mule deer habitat and population performance. The excitement comes from having public funding and support […]

In 2010, a wildlife photographer in Madrid, Spain, was stripped of the prestigious Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year award when the contest committee ruled that he had likely hired a captive wolf to represent a wild animal in his winning image (Booth 2010). Months […]