What’s happening Tuesday at TWS’ Virtual Conference?

The second day of The Wildlife Society’s 2021 Virtual Conference brings lots of events to explore, from the opening plenary to a lineup of symposia, panels, presentations, working group meetings and networking events.

Plenary

Speakers Dan Riskin and Carolyn Finney open this year’s conference with at the plenary, “Change the Climate: The Importance of Diversity.” A biologist, TV host and author, Riskin delivers the Caesar Kleberg Keynote Address, “Diverse Groups Can Feel Less Comfortable, but They Get Better Results.” Finney, a storyteller, author, cultural geographer and environmentalist, speaks on “The N Word: Nature, Revisited (an imagined conversation with John Muir).”

Symposia

Adaptation Through Collaboration: Integrating Genetics to Inform Wildlife Decisions: Genetic techniques to inform wildlife conservation and management continue to revolutionize our ability to monitor populations and gather data. Forging partnerships between managers and molecular ecologists can help put these tools to work. The symposium will also unveil the Molecular Ecology Working Group’s new “Geneticist Generator” tool to facilitate partnerships. No genetics experience required! Supported by the Molecular Ecology Working Group.

Transforming to Interdisciplinary Wildlife Coexistence and Management: Given the pace of the loss of wildlife and wild places, is it time to adopt more proactive, nonlethal solutions to human-wildlife conflicts? This session explores new pathways forward, underscores the critical nature of this transformation, and provide examples of new approaches in wildlife management that can best meet the needs of protecting biodiversity from the local to global perspectives.

Ecological Networks for Conservation: Protected areas are important, but they’re not enough to stem biodiversity loss. Ecological connectivity is essential, especially in a time of climate change. Supported by TWS Spatial Ecology and Telemetry Working Group; TWS Climate Change and Wildlife Working Group; TWS Forestry and Wildlife Working Group

Forest Service, Climate Change Scorecard, Climate Hubs and National Overview: In 2011, the U.S. Forest Service implemented the first Climate Change Performance Scorecard for all national forests and grasslands. These sessions highlight national and regional approaches using the Climate Scorecard and collaborations with USDA Climate Hubs and provide examples of work the Forest Service is doing to address climate change. Supported by the USDA Forest Service.

Integrating decision analysis and quantitative ecology to support wildlife management: This symposium will highlight synergies between decision analysis and quantitative ecology—two emerging areas of importance in wildlife management. Supported by the Biometrics Working Group.

Keeping Rangelands Profitable: In recent decades, we have seen a shift toward integration of livestock production and wildlife conservation, but producers are up against policies and technologies that encourage conversion of rangelands to crop production. A variety of incentives, including market-based approaches and conservation easements, are crucial to allow ranchers opportunities to enhance wildlife habitat while still profiting from their lands. Supported by The Wildlife Society; Rangeland Wildlife Working Group.

Panel discussions

Outreach in the Virtual World: Tips, Tricks, Pitfalls, and Successes: This panel discussion will bring outreach professionals from a variety of backgrounds to discuss their successes and their lessons learned with outreach during a global pandemic. Supported by the Conservation Education and Outreach Working Group.

Over a Century of Conservation and Partnership: America’s National Wildlife Refuge System: This panel will explore opportunities available to professionally engage with National Wildlife Refuge System activities, barriers to success in management and conservation activities on Refuge System lands, and conservation partnerships that serve as models for effective conservation activities on these multiuse landscapes. Supported by The Wildlife Society’s Government Affairs Program.

Wildlife Innovation Center

Faculty and Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in University Fish and Wildlife Programs: The National Association of University Fish and Wildlife Programs presents survey results and an open discussion of strategies for improving DEI efforts in fish and wildlife programs at universities. Sponsored by the National Association of University Fish and Wildlife Programs

Student Roundtable with the Editors: Join the Editors-in-Chief from each of The Wildlife Society’s three peer-reviewed journals for an engaging two-way discussion on publishing in scientific journals and the future of our very own publications. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights about getting published while contributing ideas that could help shape the landscape of TWS journals for years to come. Hosted by Wiley.

How to radio-track animals from a drone: Conservation ecologist Debbie Saunders shares her radio-tracking system that can be attached to a drone platform to track multiple animals simultaneously and search large areas efficiently. Sponsored by Wildlife Drones.

Networking

Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources Virtual Networking Event, 4-6 p.m. Eastern

Student-Professional Networking Event, 6-8 p.m. Eastern