Header Photo Credit: Allie Hoeft
Special Symposia
The following organized symposia will be included in the program at the 84th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference.
Symposia will be included as part of the technical program and will run concurrently with other technical sessions. All individual presentations within a special symposium, including those that have been invited, need to submit abstracts through the online form.
Symposium organizers have indicated type below if they are Invite Only (includes only speakers invited by organizer to submit); or Open (includes presentations from the general pool of abstract submissions).
Symposia will be included as part of the technical program and will run concurrently with other technical sessions. All individual presentations within a special symposium, including those that have been invited, need to submit abstracts through the online form.
Symposium organizers have indicated type below if they are Invite Only (includes only speakers invited by organizer to submit); or Open (includes presentations from the general pool of abstract submissions).
1. Advancing Conservation through Science Communication
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Amber Schiltz, Education Division Administrator, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, amber.schiltz@nebraska.gov
Co-organizers: This symposium could be organized by the Fish & Wildlife Education Division with Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, and be open to any and all conference participants to present.
Overview:
Science communication is key to bridging the gap between conservation science & practice with the public's understanding and participation in conservation behavior. The bridging between conservation science and the public can be achieved through education efforts, community engagement programs, community science initiatives, storytelling through visual or written media, and other related science communication approaches. This symposium will offer a gathering space and platform for participants to learn from one another about best practices and successfully applied methods in science communication that play a critical role in successful conservation efforts in our region.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Amber Schiltz, Education Division Administrator, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, amber.schiltz@nebraska.gov
Co-organizers: This symposium could be organized by the Fish & Wildlife Education Division with Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, and be open to any and all conference participants to present.
Overview:
Science communication is key to bridging the gap between conservation science & practice with the public's understanding and participation in conservation behavior. The bridging between conservation science and the public can be achieved through education efforts, community engagement programs, community science initiatives, storytelling through visual or written media, and other related science communication approaches. This symposium will offer a gathering space and platform for participants to learn from one another about best practices and successfully applied methods in science communication that play a critical role in successful conservation efforts in our region.
2. Control, Management and Prevention of Invasive and Nuisance Fishes in the Midwest
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Gavin Saari, Supervisory Research Toxicologist, U.S. Geological Survey, gsaari@usgs.gov
Co-organizers: Mike Smith (session co-chair), Invasive Carp Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Mountain Prairie Region, Michael_j_smith@fws.gov, 605-220-9142
Overview:
Fish have been introduced to waterbodies directly and indirectly for new fisheries, additional food sources, biological control, and to restore depleted stocks. Inadvertent introductions of fish and the intra-continental spread of invasive and nuisance fish species have resulted in substantial changes to aquatic biological communities. While not every introduced species becomes established, several fish species have substantial populations and pose considerable ecological and economic damage. Various fish control techniques exist to congregate, deter, and catch invasive and nuisance fish and new technologies are being developed to broaden the integrated pest management plan. Furthermore, new and potentially more effective prevention and early detection strategies are being implemented to limit fish introductions and range expansion into novel geographic areas. This symposium aims to discuss current and future control, management and prevention techniques used in management of invasive and nuisance fishes in the Midwest. Additionally, this session invites presentations about the decision-making process stakeholders utilize to select a control strategy under an integrated pest management framework.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Gavin Saari, Supervisory Research Toxicologist, U.S. Geological Survey, gsaari@usgs.gov
Co-organizers: Mike Smith (session co-chair), Invasive Carp Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Mountain Prairie Region, Michael_j_smith@fws.gov, 605-220-9142
Overview:
Fish have been introduced to waterbodies directly and indirectly for new fisheries, additional food sources, biological control, and to restore depleted stocks. Inadvertent introductions of fish and the intra-continental spread of invasive and nuisance fish species have resulted in substantial changes to aquatic biological communities. While not every introduced species becomes established, several fish species have substantial populations and pose considerable ecological and economic damage. Various fish control techniques exist to congregate, deter, and catch invasive and nuisance fish and new technologies are being developed to broaden the integrated pest management plan. Furthermore, new and potentially more effective prevention and early detection strategies are being implemented to limit fish introductions and range expansion into novel geographic areas. This symposium aims to discuss current and future control, management and prevention techniques used in management of invasive and nuisance fishes in the Midwest. Additionally, this session invites presentations about the decision-making process stakeholders utilize to select a control strategy under an integrated pest management framework.
3. Current Topics and Challenges in Panfish Management
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Jeffrey Reed, Fisheries Research Scientist, Minnesota DNR, jeffrey.reed@state.mn.us
Co-organizers: Jon Hansen, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Alex Latzka, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Overview:
The group of fish collectively known as panfish (i.e. Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch) are among the most popular species sought by anglers in the Upper Midwest. Traditionally, management of these species has been largely passive. In response to angler demands related to shifting preferences and concerns over the impacts of electronics, fishery managers have recently taken a more active approach in managing these species. However, these active approaches also bring challenges of their own as the efficacy and palatability of many management actions remain unclear. This symposium will explore success and failures of active management approaches, identify remaining uncertainties, and generally provide an opportunity for biologists and managers to share information regarding their efforts. Topics will include the use of size and bag limits on Bluegill and crappie populations, the human dimensions of panfish management, the effects of technology use and angling on panfish populations, and other emerging issues related to panfish management.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Jeffrey Reed, Fisheries Research Scientist, Minnesota DNR, jeffrey.reed@state.mn.us
Co-organizers: Jon Hansen, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Alex Latzka, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Overview:
The group of fish collectively known as panfish (i.e. Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch) are among the most popular species sought by anglers in the Upper Midwest. Traditionally, management of these species has been largely passive. In response to angler demands related to shifting preferences and concerns over the impacts of electronics, fishery managers have recently taken a more active approach in managing these species. However, these active approaches also bring challenges of their own as the efficacy and palatability of many management actions remain unclear. This symposium will explore success and failures of active management approaches, identify remaining uncertainties, and generally provide an opportunity for biologists and managers to share information regarding their efforts. Topics will include the use of size and bag limits on Bluegill and crappie populations, the human dimensions of panfish management, the effects of technology use and angling on panfish populations, and other emerging issues related to panfish management.
4. Fisheries Telemetry to Inform Research and Management Throughout the Midwest
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Mark Fincel, Fisheries Supervisor, SDGF&P, Mark.Fincel@state.sd.us
Co-organizers: Will Radigan, University of Nebraska, 3310 Holdreege St., Lincoln, NE, wradigan2@huskers.unl.edu
Overview:
Fisheries telemetry has a rich history in the research and management of fish populations throughout the Midwest and the use of this technology has only increased over time. Over the last 25 years, costs to perform telemetry studies has decreased, tag size (and therefore fish-tag burden) has decreased, battery life has increased, and the functionality of the tagging systems have been adjusted to answer a wide array of new and different questions. In this symposium, we provide an avenue for novice and seasoned telemetry users to provide information on the various telemetry projects employed within the Midwest. We encourage a wide array of focal species, aquatic systems, and telemetry setups. We encourage presenters to highlight the specific telemetry methods used, why they were chosen, and how it is answering their specific fisheries questions. This is an open symposium (not invite-only), so we encourage all fish telemetry-oriented talks from throughout the Midwest.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Mark Fincel, Fisheries Supervisor, SDGF&P, Mark.Fincel@state.sd.us
Co-organizers: Will Radigan, University of Nebraska, 3310 Holdreege St., Lincoln, NE, wradigan2@huskers.unl.edu
Overview:
Fisheries telemetry has a rich history in the research and management of fish populations throughout the Midwest and the use of this technology has only increased over time. Over the last 25 years, costs to perform telemetry studies has decreased, tag size (and therefore fish-tag burden) has decreased, battery life has increased, and the functionality of the tagging systems have been adjusted to answer a wide array of new and different questions. In this symposium, we provide an avenue for novice and seasoned telemetry users to provide information on the various telemetry projects employed within the Midwest. We encourage a wide array of focal species, aquatic systems, and telemetry setups. We encourage presenters to highlight the specific telemetry methods used, why they were chosen, and how it is answering their specific fisheries questions. This is an open symposium (not invite-only), so we encourage all fish telemetry-oriented talks from throughout the Midwest.
5. Habitat for Herps: Case Studies of Amphibian and Reptiles in Restored and Created Habitats
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Melissa Youngquist, Research Biologist, Shedd Aquarium, myoungquist@sheddaquarium.org
Co-organizers: Mark Mills, Missouri Western State University; Midwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Overview:
Midwestern amphibian and reptile populations continue to face multiple threats to their health and persistence, with habitat loss and fragmentation being one of the greatest contributors to population decline and changes in community composition. Because many of these species have relatively small home-ranges, as compared to larger game-species, they can serve as indicators of local land conservation and management efforts. Conservation of these taxa will require collaboration and cooperation from diverse stakeholders: local, federal, and tribal governments, research institutes, zoos and aquariums, non-profits, and the public. The objective of this symposium is to share how amphibians and reptiles respond to habitat improvement efforts, either as the primary target or non-target species of habitat protection, restoration, or creation. This symposium seeks to provide a platform to share current research, management actions, and technologies and to foster collaborations for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Melissa Youngquist, Research Biologist, Shedd Aquarium, myoungquist@sheddaquarium.org
Co-organizers: Mark Mills, Missouri Western State University; Midwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Overview:
Midwestern amphibian and reptile populations continue to face multiple threats to their health and persistence, with habitat loss and fragmentation being one of the greatest contributors to population decline and changes in community composition. Because many of these species have relatively small home-ranges, as compared to larger game-species, they can serve as indicators of local land conservation and management efforts. Conservation of these taxa will require collaboration and cooperation from diverse stakeholders: local, federal, and tribal governments, research institutes, zoos and aquariums, non-profits, and the public. The objective of this symposium is to share how amphibians and reptiles respond to habitat improvement efforts, either as the primary target or non-target species of habitat protection, restoration, or creation. This symposium seeks to provide a platform to share current research, management actions, and technologies and to foster collaborations for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.
6. Habitat Restoration and the Northern Great Plains Native Seed Partnership
Type: Invite Only
Contact: Lora Perkins, Associate Professor, South Dakota State University, lora.perkins@sdstate.edu
Co-organizers: Bret Lang, SDSU; Amy Symstad, USGS
Overview:
Native plants and their seeds are essential natural resources vital for habitat restoration. Successful habitat restoration depends on an adequate supply of quality seeds of the right species at the right time. Currently, the lack of locally sourced and genetically diverse native seeds impedes habitat restoration in the northern Great Plains. To address this fundamental shortcoming, the Northern Great Plains Native Seed Partnership (NGPNSP) recently formed. The NGPNSP is a collaborative partnership among agencies, organizations, landowners, and land managers, as well as other users and producers of native seeds and plants with the goals to 1) assess and improve native seed resources in the northern Great Plains and 2) form a collaborative community of practice to improve habitat restoration outcomes in the region. This symposium will highlight native seed and habitat restoration projects by members of the NGPNSP. We will share information on restoration project details, successes, and lessons learned.
Type: Invite Only
Contact: Lora Perkins, Associate Professor, South Dakota State University, lora.perkins@sdstate.edu
Co-organizers: Bret Lang, SDSU; Amy Symstad, USGS
Overview:
Native plants and their seeds are essential natural resources vital for habitat restoration. Successful habitat restoration depends on an adequate supply of quality seeds of the right species at the right time. Currently, the lack of locally sourced and genetically diverse native seeds impedes habitat restoration in the northern Great Plains. To address this fundamental shortcoming, the Northern Great Plains Native Seed Partnership (NGPNSP) recently formed. The NGPNSP is a collaborative partnership among agencies, organizations, landowners, and land managers, as well as other users and producers of native seeds and plants with the goals to 1) assess and improve native seed resources in the northern Great Plains and 2) form a collaborative community of practice to improve habitat restoration outcomes in the region. This symposium will highlight native seed and habitat restoration projects by members of the NGPNSP. We will share information on restoration project details, successes, and lessons learned.
7. Invasive Plant Species Impacts on Fish and Wildlife in the Northern Midwest
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: David Swanson, Professor of Biology, University of South Dakota, David.Swanson@usd.edu
Co-organizers: Mark Dixon, Department of Biology, University of South Dakota
Overview:
Anthropogenic influences on the landscape of the northern Midwest, including land use/land cover and climate change, have dramatically altered the habitats available to fish and wildlife in this region. One of the major associated effects of such changes is the colonization of grassland, wetland, riparian woodland, and forested habitats by non-native species or by native species formerly excluded from certain habitats. Such colonization can markedly alter the vegetative community composition with concomitant effects (potentially both positive and negative) on wildlife occupying such invaded habitats. This symposium will describe research into the dynamics of plant species invasions, including the anthropogenic influences favoring these invasions, and the impacts of invasive plants on fish and wildlife biology and populations. Invasive plant species may have different effects on wildlife during different periods of the year, so we anticipate talks in the symposium to examine these effects throughout the annual cycle of fish and wildlife species, populations, or communities. We will invite talks focusing on a variety of fish and wildlife taxa to provide a stimulating overview of the main invasive plant species in different habitats within the region and their impacts on a wide diversity of fish and wildlife species.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: David Swanson, Professor of Biology, University of South Dakota, David.Swanson@usd.edu
Co-organizers: Mark Dixon, Department of Biology, University of South Dakota
Overview:
Anthropogenic influences on the landscape of the northern Midwest, including land use/land cover and climate change, have dramatically altered the habitats available to fish and wildlife in this region. One of the major associated effects of such changes is the colonization of grassland, wetland, riparian woodland, and forested habitats by non-native species or by native species formerly excluded from certain habitats. Such colonization can markedly alter the vegetative community composition with concomitant effects (potentially both positive and negative) on wildlife occupying such invaded habitats. This symposium will describe research into the dynamics of plant species invasions, including the anthropogenic influences favoring these invasions, and the impacts of invasive plants on fish and wildlife biology and populations. Invasive plant species may have different effects on wildlife during different periods of the year, so we anticipate talks in the symposium to examine these effects throughout the annual cycle of fish and wildlife species, populations, or communities. We will invite talks focusing on a variety of fish and wildlife taxa to provide a stimulating overview of the main invasive plant species in different habitats within the region and their impacts on a wide diversity of fish and wildlife species.
8. New Presenters Symposium with Feedback
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Logan Cutler, Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University, logancutler1999@gmail.com
Co-organizers: Hadley Boehm (University of Missouri); Kamden Glade (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Overview:
This symposium aims to provide a relaxed venue to present research while allowing more time for open feedback and discussion than a typical conference presentation. Presentations should be 10 to 12 minutes, leaving 8 to 10 minutes for oral feedback. Additionally, written feedback sheets will be distributed to audience members and given to presenters at the end of the symposium. This symposium will end with a short lecture followed by discussion on presentation best practices and science communication tips.
Conference participation plays an integral role in professional development in the natural resources field. However, presenting to a room of seasoned professionals can be intimidating, especially for students and those early in their careers who are new to public speaking. New presenters may be nervous about what questions professionals may ask; may not have received any pre-conference feedback on presentation content, style, or format; or are presenting about a project that is still in progress or in the proposal stage. Further, conventional conference format allows little to no feedback on presentations themselves, and the feedback often stops once the presentation ends. These situations may leave new presenters feeling discouraged when they sought a positive, interactive, feedback driven, and maybe more relaxed presentation experience.
The goal of this symposium is to provide a more laid-back environment in which to present while incorporating constructive recommendations for how to improve future presentations. With these goals in mind, this symposium targets undergraduate and graduate students, early-career professionals, English as a second language presenters, and first-time presenters who seek feedback on presentation content, style, or format, in addition to a discussion of research directions with peers. Examples of welcomed presentation topics include proposals, research ideas, in-progress projects, and first-time presentations.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Logan Cutler, Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University, logancutler1999@gmail.com
Co-organizers: Hadley Boehm (University of Missouri); Kamden Glade (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Overview:
This symposium aims to provide a relaxed venue to present research while allowing more time for open feedback and discussion than a typical conference presentation. Presentations should be 10 to 12 minutes, leaving 8 to 10 minutes for oral feedback. Additionally, written feedback sheets will be distributed to audience members and given to presenters at the end of the symposium. This symposium will end with a short lecture followed by discussion on presentation best practices and science communication tips.
Conference participation plays an integral role in professional development in the natural resources field. However, presenting to a room of seasoned professionals can be intimidating, especially for students and those early in their careers who are new to public speaking. New presenters may be nervous about what questions professionals may ask; may not have received any pre-conference feedback on presentation content, style, or format; or are presenting about a project that is still in progress or in the proposal stage. Further, conventional conference format allows little to no feedback on presentations themselves, and the feedback often stops once the presentation ends. These situations may leave new presenters feeling discouraged when they sought a positive, interactive, feedback driven, and maybe more relaxed presentation experience.
The goal of this symposium is to provide a more laid-back environment in which to present while incorporating constructive recommendations for how to improve future presentations. With these goals in mind, this symposium targets undergraduate and graduate students, early-career professionals, English as a second language presenters, and first-time presenters who seek feedback on presentation content, style, or format, in addition to a discussion of research directions with peers. Examples of welcomed presentation topics include proposals, research ideas, in-progress projects, and first-time presentations.
9. Nuts and Bolts of using Native Plants in Habitat Restoration
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Lora Perkins, Associate Professor, South Dakota State University, lora.perkins@sdstate.edu
Co-organizers: Bret Lang, SDSU; Amy Symstad, USGS
Overview:
Seed-based habitat restoration often has less success than desired. In other words, the seed that is used in habitat restoration often does not result in the establishment of desired vegetation. However, restoration ecologists, habitat managers, and members of the Northern Great Plains Native Seed Partnership have driven innovation in ecological restoration methods and have information to share that will help improve habitat restoration outcomes. We will provide information on site preparation, choosing species, weed control, planting methods, and other practical advice for habitat restoration using native plants.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Lora Perkins, Associate Professor, South Dakota State University, lora.perkins@sdstate.edu
Co-organizers: Bret Lang, SDSU; Amy Symstad, USGS
Overview:
Seed-based habitat restoration often has less success than desired. In other words, the seed that is used in habitat restoration often does not result in the establishment of desired vegetation. However, restoration ecologists, habitat managers, and members of the Northern Great Plains Native Seed Partnership have driven innovation in ecological restoration methods and have information to share that will help improve habitat restoration outcomes. We will provide information on site preparation, choosing species, weed control, planting methods, and other practical advice for habitat restoration using native plants.
10. Pursuing Relevancy: Examples of How to Get Started, Determine Paths Forward, Evaluate, and Adapt
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Keith Warnke, MAFWA R3 and Relevancy Coordinator, Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, warnkekeith@gmail.com
Co-organizers: Megan Wisecup Iowa DNR; Tanna Wanger Kansas FWP
Overview:
Fish and wildlife conservation is undergoing rapid change characterized by increasingly stressed agency resources to address complex conservation challenges. Changes include increased numbers and diversity of stakeholders with varied values toward, fish and wildlife; generally declining participation rates in “traditional” uses (hunting, angling, and trapping); and increasing numbers of people who are disconnected from the natural world. These changes necessitate a shift in many agencies as they adapt to changing societal conditions (AFWA and WMI 2019). Agency, partner, and stakeholder efforts to interpret and implement the Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap (AFWA and WMI 2019) (Roadmap) have varied across Midwest states. The Roadmap provides descriptions of categories and barriers to relevancy and an outline for agencies and stakeholders to refer to when making decisions regarding allocation of limited resources and selection of priorities for focus. This outline is not a blueprint or a prescription, rather it identifies potential paths available to agencies and stakeholders to identify barriers and select strategies and actions that are attainable. This symposium invites relevancy theorists and practitioners to present examples of how to initiate relevancy efforts, approaches and actionable items that can be evaluated and adapted moving forward. Presenters will provide evaluation and adaptation experiences and hypotheses for advancing toward maintaining/regaining relevancy with Midwest hunters and anglers, and with the population in the Midwest. The symposium will consist of agency and partner personnel providing information on efforts around the Midwest, barriers that exist to relevancy, how they are being addressed, and needs to improve efforts.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Keith Warnke, MAFWA R3 and Relevancy Coordinator, Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, warnkekeith@gmail.com
Co-organizers: Megan Wisecup Iowa DNR; Tanna Wanger Kansas FWP
Overview:
Fish and wildlife conservation is undergoing rapid change characterized by increasingly stressed agency resources to address complex conservation challenges. Changes include increased numbers and diversity of stakeholders with varied values toward, fish and wildlife; generally declining participation rates in “traditional” uses (hunting, angling, and trapping); and increasing numbers of people who are disconnected from the natural world. These changes necessitate a shift in many agencies as they adapt to changing societal conditions (AFWA and WMI 2019). Agency, partner, and stakeholder efforts to interpret and implement the Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap (AFWA and WMI 2019) (Roadmap) have varied across Midwest states. The Roadmap provides descriptions of categories and barriers to relevancy and an outline for agencies and stakeholders to refer to when making decisions regarding allocation of limited resources and selection of priorities for focus. This outline is not a blueprint or a prescription, rather it identifies potential paths available to agencies and stakeholders to identify barriers and select strategies and actions that are attainable. This symposium invites relevancy theorists and practitioners to present examples of how to initiate relevancy efforts, approaches and actionable items that can be evaluated and adapted moving forward. Presenters will provide evaluation and adaptation experiences and hypotheses for advancing toward maintaining/regaining relevancy with Midwest hunters and anglers, and with the population in the Midwest. The symposium will consist of agency and partner personnel providing information on efforts around the Midwest, barriers that exist to relevancy, how they are being addressed, and needs to improve efforts.
11. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System and Full Annual Cycle Conservation
Type: Invite Only
Contact: Anna Buckardt Thomas, Avian Ecologist, Iowa Department Of Natural Resources, anna.buckardt@dnr.iowa.gov
Co-organizers: Sarah Kendrick, USFWS
Overview:
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a global automated radio telemetry system used to track large-scale movements of small wildlife, like birds, bats, and insects. The system is rapidly expanding across the Midwestern US and revealing critical wildlife movement information, particularly contributing to our understanding and implementation of full annual life cycle conservation in migratory birds. This symposium will discuss the basics of the Motus system and the vision for Motus into the future. It will highlight case studies of current and future research occurring in the Midwest and the Tropics, showcasing the variety of applications of the system from local telemetry to migratory ecology.
Type: Invite Only
Contact: Anna Buckardt Thomas, Avian Ecologist, Iowa Department Of Natural Resources, anna.buckardt@dnr.iowa.gov
Co-organizers: Sarah Kendrick, USFWS
Overview:
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a global automated radio telemetry system used to track large-scale movements of small wildlife, like birds, bats, and insects. The system is rapidly expanding across the Midwestern US and revealing critical wildlife movement information, particularly contributing to our understanding and implementation of full annual life cycle conservation in migratory birds. This symposium will discuss the basics of the Motus system and the vision for Motus into the future. It will highlight case studies of current and future research occurring in the Midwest and the Tropics, showcasing the variety of applications of the system from local telemetry to migratory ecology.
12. The State of the Art of Conservation Social Science/Human Dimensions in the Midwest (2024)
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Adam Landon, Conservation Social Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Adam.Landon@state.mn.us
Co-organizers: Emily Pomeranz, Ph.D., Human Dimensions Research Specialist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Kiandra Rajala, Regional Social Scientist – Science Applications, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Peter Fritzell, Human Dimensions Specialist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Overview:
The conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources is a dynamic interplay between people and nature. State and federal agencies, academia, Tribal governments, and conservation institutions are placing increasing emphasis on the ‘people’ component of that equation, including through research and engagement. This symposium is hosted by the MAWFA Conservation Social Science / Human Dimensions technical working group to a) showcase social science research relevant to fish and wildlife conservation and management, and b) provide a forum for interaction for social scientists from across the region. This is an open symposium and authors are encouraged to submit relevant research on topics pertaining to the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, and their habitats drawing on the theories and methods of sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, and other social sciences. This symposium will help facilitate discussion of how social science can address conservation challenges in the region and identify opportunities for collaboration and coordination across boundaries. We encourage submissions that relate to the conference theme of “habitat: working today to benefit tomorrow,” but submissions on all topics engaging social science approaches are welcome.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: Adam Landon, Conservation Social Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Adam.Landon@state.mn.us
Co-organizers: Emily Pomeranz, Ph.D., Human Dimensions Research Specialist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Kiandra Rajala, Regional Social Scientist – Science Applications, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Peter Fritzell, Human Dimensions Specialist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Overview:
The conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources is a dynamic interplay between people and nature. State and federal agencies, academia, Tribal governments, and conservation institutions are placing increasing emphasis on the ‘people’ component of that equation, including through research and engagement. This symposium is hosted by the MAWFA Conservation Social Science / Human Dimensions technical working group to a) showcase social science research relevant to fish and wildlife conservation and management, and b) provide a forum for interaction for social scientists from across the region. This is an open symposium and authors are encouraged to submit relevant research on topics pertaining to the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, and their habitats drawing on the theories and methods of sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, and other social sciences. This symposium will help facilitate discussion of how social science can address conservation challenges in the region and identify opportunities for collaboration and coordination across boundaries. We encourage submissions that relate to the conference theme of “habitat: working today to benefit tomorrow,” but submissions on all topics engaging social science approaches are welcome.
13. Tribally Led Fish and Wildlife Management
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: William Severud, Assistant Professor, South Dakota State University, William.Severud@sdstate.edu
Overview:
Tribal natural resource agencies are increasingly being recognized for their work in the management and restoration of fish and wildlife to maintain Indigenous ways of life. We plan to highlight projects and research that are informed by Indigenous worldviews, highlighting tribal data sovereignty, food security and subsistence harvest, and training the next generation of Indigenous managers.
Type: Open Symposium
Contact: William Severud, Assistant Professor, South Dakota State University, William.Severud@sdstate.edu
Overview:
Tribal natural resource agencies are increasingly being recognized for their work in the management and restoration of fish and wildlife to maintain Indigenous ways of life. We plan to highlight projects and research that are informed by Indigenous worldviews, highlighting tribal data sovereignty, food security and subsistence harvest, and training the next generation of Indigenous managers.