Credit: Brian Loflin
Welcome to the Wildlife Diseases Working Group of The Wildlife Society
The mission of the Wildlife Diseases Working Group is to promote better scientific understanding of the causes and consequences of disease in ecosystems and wildlife populations; to apply the principles of wildlife science, ecology, and epidemiology to the prevention and management of diseases in wildlife; to foster education and transfer of information on diseases to wildlife management professionals and the public; and to apply this knowledge to enhance the health and conservation of wildlife populations and their interactions with humans and domestic animals.
Our membership includes over 200 members representing the United States, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.
Our working group was founded in 2005 and gained official status in 2007. It has grown steadily since its first meeting and we hope that you will consider joining us too!
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2025 Student Travel Grant for TWS’ Annual Conference
This year, the WDWG is offering one $750 travel grant and one $250 registration grant for student members presenting a paper or poster at the annual conference of The Wildlife Society from October 5th – 8th 2025 in Edmonton, AB. Students do not need to be a member of the WDWG to apply.
The WDWG travel grant is intended to promote student interest and participation in the working group, and to recognize outstanding student research in the area of wildlife disease. Applicants must be students and members of The Wildlife Society. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate strong interest and research accomplishments in wildlife disease.
To further highlight these accomplishments, awardees will be asked to provide a 3-minute overview of their presentation at the in-person WDWG meeting (date and time to be determined once the conference program is released).
To apply, please submit:
- A cover letter (maximum 1 page) that explains:
- your interest and experience in wildlife disease research
- why you believe your talk/poster is strongly aligned with the Wildlife Diseases Working Group
- an approximate budget for costs to attend the conference (hotel, per diem, flights)
- details about whether you have access to any additional funds to support your attendance at TWS (e.g., departmental or supervisor funds – this does not refer to personal funds)
- The abstract of your accepted presentation at the annual conference of The Wildlife Society; and
- A letter of support from a mentor, advisor, or supervisor.
The deadline for submission is Sunday June 22nd at midnight Pacific Time. The recipient of the award will be notified by June 30th 2025. Awardees will be provided with the Early Bird registration rate. The award will be presented at the Wildlife Diseases Working Group meeting, during the TWS Annual Conference. Recipients who are not already members of the working group will also receive a complimentary 1-year membership.
For further information or to submit an application, contact the WDWG Board at tws.wdwg@gmail.com.
- A cover letter (maximum 1 page) that explains:
- Chronic Wasting Disease Information Links
Become a Member
Membership is available to all current TWS members. You may join our Working Group by logging in to your TWS account.