Native American Research Assistantship Program
The Native American Research Assistantship (NARA) Program offers an opportunity for Native undergraduate or graduate students to gain experience during a paid 3-month summer research project with USDA Forest Service Research and Development (USFS R&D) scientists. Established in 2014, NARA provides training for careers in natural resource and conservation-related fields, promotes Native student advancement in the wildlife profession, and elevates Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) within federal research projects. We are now accepting applications for the 2025 field season.
READ TWS’ JOURNALS
Being a member of The Wildlife Society expresses your support for wildlife science and gives you access to our science-based journals: The Journal of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Monographs, and Wildlife Society Bulletin.
The Journal of Wildlife Management, published continuously since 1937, is one of the world’s leading scientific journals covering biodiversity, climate change, competition, conservation, diseases that influence populations, ecology, economics, genetics, habitats, habitat restoration, human-dimensions, human-wildlife interactions, hunting, landscape ecology, management, sustainable use, quantitative approaches to ecology, and models, among others.
Wildlife Monographs, published since 1958, are single-topic, peer-reviewed studies on specific problems and issues in wildlife science, management and conservation.
Wildlife Society Bulletin is a fully open-access, peer-reviewed publication containing papers related to wildlife management, law enforcement, education, economics, administration, ethics and more.
LEARN. NETWORK. ENGAGE.
THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY’S 32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Wildlife Society’s Annual Conference is widely regarded as the largest and most important technical meetings for wildlife professionals and students in North America. Join us as we head to Canada for the first time in ten years and engage in over 1,000 educational and networking opportunities all within a city that’s full of surprises. Check out our event page for more information and submit your proposals starting January 15th!
Join a local community
Networking has become critical to career development, job opportunities, collaboration, research, developing best practices, and effective advocacy at national, regional and local levels.
The Wildlife Society has built one of the most effective wildlife networking programs through the combination of our annual conference, TWS sections and chapters across North America and our working groups.
Strategic Plan
Over the next 5 years and beyond, TWS will maintain, enhance, or expand its performance and leadership in each mission priority area:
- Building Community – engage and evolve an inclusive community of diverse wildlife professionals to conserve wildlife and their habitats
- Supporting Professionals – enhance support and provide resources to ensure professionals effectively influence the future of wildlife conservation
- Exercising External Influence – TWS is an effective voice and a trusted resource for wildlife science, conservation, and management
Each year, TWS will take action on and track progress of each of the goals, objectives, and strategies identified for each mission-driven priority in the strategic plan. Priority tactics aligned with each set of strategies will be developed into annual operations plans, along with performance metrics, staff resources, and budgets needed to achieve results. Many of the objectives and strategies in the plan are aspirational for TWS and implementation will depend on securing additional budget resources or significant volunteer service from TWS members.
Latest News
From The Wildlife Society
TWS’ news center features the latest wildlife science and conservation news. Stay up to date with coverage from around the world.
Sign Up for Updates
Sign up to stay up-to-date on wildlife science, news and events.
Grassland conservation benefits American burying beetle
Presence of the beetle can help managers and researchers gauge the overall health of an ecosystem
Hawaiian crow released in Maui
The bird went extinct in the wild in 2002
Invasive spotted lanternflies thrive in cities
The invasive insects are showing up earlier and remaining active later in New York City
The Nov/Dec issue of The Wildlife Professional
On Track with Wildlife: Satellite tracking devices uncover wildlife movement
Policy and collaboration for wildlife agency professionals
Our members and vast network of wildlife agency professionals make up a large portion of The Wildlife Society. We know how important it is to stay connected with your industry, near and far, and encourage wildlife professionals to get involved in local chapters and sections and working groups. We also invite wildlife professionals to attend and present at our annual conference or seek publication opportunities in one of our publications.
Advancing opportunities for early career professionals
The Wildlife Society is here to support professionals beginning their careers in the wildlife science industries. As you get started in your career, we offer early career professionals a discounted membership, access to our Early Career Professional Working Group, and encourage you to utilize our job board and certificate programs to enhance your resume experience and continue learning after graduation.
Education, networking and career development for wildlife students
The Wildlife Society encourages students majoring in, or interested in, wildlife sciences to get involved with student chapters and take advantage of our student membership! We have numerous educational resources to help you with classes, networking opportunities, and early career development tools to get you ahead of the curve.
TWS MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Grow your resources and professional network with TWS’ membership. Our members support the wildlife profession and gain access to our huge network of wildlife professionals and students through local sections and chapters, working groups, and wildlife events across North America and beyond. Additionally, our members have access to our publications, bookstore, and discounted rates to our prestigious annual conference.
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
UNDERSTANDING
INCLUSIVENESS
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY
Becoming a member of The Wildlife Society is one of the best choices you can make during your journey as a wildlife professional. Grow your network, participate in professional development opportunities, browse our numerous resources and publications and more. Membership is open to wildlife professionals, students and supporters who are interested in wildlife science, management and conservation. Join online to take full advantage of the benefits of TWS membership and to show your commitment to sustaining healthy wildlife populations and habitats for generations to come!