NAUFWP partnership increased student participation in TWS Annual Conference 

Through The Wildlife Society’s partnership with the National Association of University Fisheries and Wildlife Programs (NAUFWP), students from over 20 universities were given discounted registration rates for the TWS Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The discount allowed those who may otherwise have been unable to afford registration a chance to attend and further their professional careers.  

“The discount on registration provided by NAUWFP helped immensely in my ability to obtain the funds necessary for my students to attend The Wildlife Society Annual Conference in Baltimore,” said Heather Mathewson, an associate professor at Tarleton State University (TSU). “By providing the discount, NAUWPF clearly demonstrates that student involvement at the conference is important to the association, and it furthers the association’s mission to contribute to student education and promotion of opportunities for students.” 

As a result of the partnership, TWS provided over $7,000 in discounts to student attendees. Additionally, for every 10 NAUFWP registrants, TWS gave a free registration to a local student from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Howard University, Morgan State University and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore.  

The mission of the NAUFWP is to represent, strengthen and advocate for all college and university programs educating fish and wildlife conservation and management professionals. With aligning missions, TWS and NAUFWP have formed a Strategic Partner relationship to further enhance both organizations’ efforts in support of wildlife education and the development of the next generation of wildlife professionals. 

TWS and NAUFWP share a goal of creating a better leadership pipeline for students pursuing studies and careers in wildlife. Through this partnership, TWS hopes to reach and engage with more students while keeping its finger on the pulse of the evolving academic and professional landscape in wildlife. 

Since 2023, TWS has increased student participation in the conference by more than 130% and university participation by 114%. 

“We, at the National Association of University Fish and Wildlife Programs, view the success over the last two years of our students taking advantage of member benefits as a great step forward,” said John Carroll, President of NAUFWP. “We are the beginning of the pipeline of future professionals in wildlife conservation. Getting those students front-facing at the most important venue for wildlife professionals simply makes them more competitive and known in the field even before they enter the job market.” 

Carroll said that he views the partnership with TWS to be more than transactional.  

“We see this support of our students as just one of a growing number of ways we are working together to strengthen the future wildlife professional workforce.” 

Mathewson’s students at TSU agree that the ability to attend the TWS Annual Conference is beneficial to their academic and future careers in conservation.  

“Attending The Wildlife Society’s conference is an exciting opportunity for me to grow academically and professionally,” said Grace Soechting, a graduate student at TSU. “It’s a chance to learn from experts in wildlife conservation, hear about the latest research, and discover new ideas that inspire my work.” 

Alex Hoxie, also a graduate student at TSU, added that the conference allows for valuable in-person meeting opportunities and a chance to share new ideas and research. 

“Attending the conference is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to communicate my master’s research with a wide range of wildlife professionals, which brings in new ideas and perspectives that will help me refine my research,” Hoxie said. “I serve as the communications chair for the Habitat Restoration Working Group (HRWG). Being able to meet in person with leaders in the HRWG and other working groups has strengthened our communication and collaborative potential, which I will put to good use in the next year.” 

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