Welcome to the TWS Nutritional Ecology Working Group
The Nutritional Ecology Working Group (NEWG) serves as a forum to facilitate communication and exchange of information related to advancing the science of nutritional ecology as it pertains to conservation and management of wildlife populations.
We define nutritional ecology as the science of relating an animal to its environment through nutritional interactions and involves nutritional requirements, food availability and quality, foraging and life history strategies under different environmental conditions, changes in body mass and condition, with implications for reproduction, survival and population performance.
(Photo Credit: David Hewitt)
Consistent with the goals of The Wildlife Society, and relative to the role of nutritional ecology in the management, conservation and recovery of wildlife and their habitats the Nutritional Ecology Working Group’s goals are:
- Develop and maintain professional standards for wildlife research and management and the application of methods for research related to nutritional ecology of wildlife.
- Facilitate communication and the exchange of information among members of The Wildlife Society interested in advancing the science of nutritional ecology.
- Advance professional stewardship of wildlife resources and their habitats in the context of nutritional ecology.
- Encourage use of sound biological information for wildlife policy decisions.
- Enhance knowledge and technical capabilities of wildlife professionals relative to nutritional ecology and the application of methods for research related to nutritional ecology of wildlife.
- Increase public awareness and appreciation of nutritional ecology in wildlife management.
To aid in the achievement of these goals, this Working Group proposes to:
- Provide regular communication among members of the Society experienced in the study of nutritional ecology and the application of methods for research related to nutritional ecology of wildlife through meetings, symposia, workshops, newsletters, specialty publications and other means.
- Help biologists understand sampling methods, and work with biologists to collect data accurately and consistently, for studies of nutritional ecology.
- Promote membership in The Wildlife Society to wildlife professionals interested in nutritional ecology.
- Make recommendations to The Wildlife Society Council for specific actions by the Society concerning nutritional ecology.
- Develop draft technical reviews, position statements and other materials concerning nutritional ecology for consideration by the Society Council.
- Provide information and technical assistance to Wildlife Society members concerning nutritional ecology and the application of methods for research related to nutritional ecology of wildlife.
- Provide information and technical assistance to journalists, government officials, other organizations, and the general public concerning nutritional ecology and the application of methods for research related to nutritional ecology of wildlife.
Announcements
- Our Autumn 2025 newsletter is available to nonmembers to provide a snapshot of NEWG activities
- Winter Webinar Series
- Sponsored Symposiums
- Sponsored Workshops
- Scholarships
- Foundational Papers
Become a member
Membership is available to all current TWS members. You may join our working group by logging in to your TWS account.
Officers
Chair:
Dan Thompson
Chair-elect:
Kristin Denryter
Past Chair:
Marcus Blum
Secretary:
Katey Huggler
Treasurer:
Ryan Martin
Outreach & Communications officer:
Yasaman Shakeri
Newsletter editor:
Bryan Spencer
Board Members:
Rachel Cook
Colter Chitwood
Levi Heffelfinger
Jocelyn Biro
Garrett Savory
Benjamin Padilla
Meetings