2015 Accomplishments

• Completed day-to-day, behind-the-scenes work that our board conducts to keep all running smoothly (meeting minutes, treasurer reports, correspondence, website updates, etc.).
• Reviewed Bylaws and Operational Manual.  Improved clarification and edits to bring Bylaws in line with current practices.   Policy changes to improve board function.

• Finalized Chapter strategic plan with facilitation by Freshwater Future
• Finalized Chapter work plan

• Organized 2015 Joint Annual Meeting in Duluth with WiTWS (398 registered participants).
• Planned 2016 Annual Meeting in Mankato.

• New chapter website to be launched in late February 2016
• Published 3 issues of Chapter Newsletter
• Maintained Facebook Page
• Monthly board meeting conference calls.

• Continued Student/Professional mixer (speed networking), Quiz Bowl, Student Paper and Poster Awards, Student Chapter Leaders Breakfast at Annual Meeting, and $500 travel grants for student chapters/clubs.
• Provided $500 to support TWS National Conference in Winnipeg to support 2 students to attend conference.
• Provided $1,500 to support 2015 North Central Student Conclave held at the Audubon Center in Sandstone MN.  Attendance: 117 students and advisors and 11 regional universities)
• Provided $200 to support student to attend wildlife skills course in Vermont.

• Acknowledged and honored individuals and groups for conservation work in Minnesota through MNTWS Awards program.
• Acknowledged and honored MNTWS members for service to the Chapter through MNTWS Awards program.
• Several MN TWS members recognized for outstanding accomplishments
  • John Loegering, NM-Crookston, receives the Jim McDonough Award from The Wildlife Society at Annual Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
  • Rocky Gutierrez (UM-Twin Cities) receives Caesar Kleberg Award from The Wildlife Society at Annual Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • Steve Windels, Voyageurs NP, receives the 2014 National Park Service’s Director’s Award for Natural Resource Research, an award that recognized his contributions to understanding, protecting and managing natural resources

• Participated in NC Section Executive Board Meeting and Membership Meeting at Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, January 24-27, 2016 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

• Advocacy/Outreach –
  • State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program and other federal conservation programs:–
    • Teaming with Wildlife Fly In at Washington DC – Participated in Feb. 2015 and supporting participation again in March 1-2, 2016.
  • Conservation Affairs Network (CAN) – Continued participation in this new model for conservation affairs communication and collaboration between the Chapter, Section and TWS (main/international level).
  • MN Conservation Federation – Paid annual dues to continue membership and involvement
  • Participated in 2016 DNR Roundtable on January 15, 2016.
  • Continue to serve and provide input to the Minnesota State Technical Committee (serves in an advisory capacity to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on the implementation of the natural resources conservation provisions of Farm Bill legislation).
  • Chapter sent a Letter to Governor Dayton expressing Chapter concerns about the implications of Executive Order 15-10 to the management of Minnesota’s public trust wildlife resources, and that science-based information is essential to making credible, fact-driven decisions for wildlife populations managed in public trust.  Executive order 15-10 directed a cessation of capture and collaring of moose in Minnesota.
    • Chapter representatives meet with Governor Dayton’s senior policy advisor.
  • Provided letter of support to FSA for Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Proposal by BWSR and partners.
  • Provided comments to Scientific Certification Systems conducted an audit of forest management of MN DNR FSC certified lands.
  • Provided input and comment to MN DNR Elk Management Plan
  • Input compiled from members to North Central Section position statement on feral swine, through CAN
  • Provided $200 sponsorship for the Heart of the Continent Science Symposium in International Falls, March 10-11, 2016 to support travel for keynote speaker.
• Nongame
  • Provided input and comment in a letter to MN DNR for the revised 2015 Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan
  • Chapter supported reauthorization of the Lands and Water Conservation Fund.
• Non-toxic Ammunition and Tackle
  • Hosted 4 hunter education workshops around the state.
  • Contributed $500 to support Copper Roundtable on August 26
  • Reserved vendor booth (with The Raptor Center) at the Outdoor News Deer and Turkey Show for February 26-28, 2016
  • Received a $4,839 American Eagle Foundation grant to conduct cooper bullet demonstrations and hunter outreach effort to reduce lead poisoning.

• Provided letter of support for Minnesota Deer Hunters Association Jack Pine Forest/Crow Wing River Watershed Habitat Acquisition Proposal to the LSOHC.

• Organized successful Conservation Grazing Workshop in Big Lake MN
• Provided input and comment to CRP Grassland Initiative

• Signed on to Buffer Coalition in support of the Governor Dayton’s “Buffer Bill” proposal.

• MNTWS activities were highlighted in the following media outlets:
  • MN Chapter Meets with Governor’s Office Regarding Moose
  • Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society hands out awards, Outdoor News March 13, 2015​
  • UMC’s Loegering honored by The Wildlife Society