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Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship Through Science and Education |
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Presidents Corner |
A few weeks back a newspaper article reminded me that our profession is ever challenged by the public. Well meaning, but in some cases self professed "experts" expound on the need for action to solve a problem, or in other cases let "nature take its course". As wildlife managers we tread a fine line when to become involved, as the world is in many cases no longer natural and operating as it did before the impact of humans. Our actions are often dictated by current agency or corporate policy, and it is incumbent on us to insure those who set these guidelines are aware of the current science surrounding the issue.
At various times in my column, I have written about the need for wildlife biologists
to keep current in their field and to become familiar with topics and issues
of the day, and the science related to them. The Manitoba Chapter of The Wildlife
Society is offering such an opportunity. The Delta Getaway (see notice in newsletter)
will feature a one day seminar on Wildlife Diseases and their implications for
biologists. This will include the effects on specific species, and also the
potential for wildlife biologists to be directly affected (or not) by working
with infected animals. The seminar contains a cross section of diseases and
parasites, some very current in the news, and others that are often present
but sometimes overlooked by the media.
I also want to draw your attention to a few other items. Firstly, the Manitoba
Chapter’s Conservationist of the Year Award. The details are elsewhere
in the newsletter, but for several years now there have been very few nominations.
Surely there are some deserving folks out there, so please review the criteria
and get those nominations in. Secondly, the Central Mountains and Plains Section
(to which we belong) of TWS has a new website that is in our links section,
so be sure to check it out.
And lastly for you students out there, our Manitoba Chapter Bursary Award is
once again available, so look for details in this current newsletter.
I hope everyone has had a safe and memorable Christmas, and my best wishes on
behalf of the Chapter Executive for the New Year- Don Sexton
The Species at Risk Act (SARA) received Royal Assent on December 12, 2002, bringing to a close a nine-year legislative process to protect Canada's species at risk and their critical habitat. The new legislation will come into force in 2003.
SARA is one of three elements of the government's Strategy for the Protection
of Species at Risk. Under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk,
the Government of Canada works with provinces and territories on a common approach
to protecting species at risk in Canada that includes complementary legislation
and programs to protect habitat and species.
The other key component of the federal Strategy is stewardship, a cornerstone
of the Government of Canada's approach to species protection. Canada's Stewardship
Agenda, approved earlier this year by federal, provincial and territorial Ministers
of Wildlife, encourages Canadians to work together in a landscape approach to
protect habitat, contribute to the recovery of species at risk and conserve
Canada's natural heritage. One such initiative is the federal government's Habitat
Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, which funds projects that support habitat
conservation and stewardship. Hundreds of projects involving Aboriginal organizations,
landowners, businesses, industries, and non-government organizations have been
approved over the last three years. The Government of Canada committed $45 million
to the Habitat Stewardship Program over 5 years.
The species at risk legislation ensures that species are assessed under a rigorous
and independent scientific process that operates at arm's length from the federal
government. It also requires the development of recovery action plans for species
that are found to be most at risk, and recognizes the essential role of Aboriginal
peoples in the conservation of wildlife by requiring the establishment of a
National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk.
SARA will come into force by an order in council in 2003. In the period leading
up to the order in council, the Government of Canada will develop the regulations
required under the Act, including regulations on compensation.
Source: Government of Canada Website http://www.ec.gc.ca/press/2002/021212_n_e.htm
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The purpose of the Important Bird Areas Community Action Fund is to provide
funding support for high-priority projects that contribute to the conservation
of bird species and their habitats within an Important Bird Area. Emphasis of
the fund is local conservation action. All projects must be conducted within
an officially recognized Important Bird Area, and/or contribute to the conservation
of the birds and habitats for which the site has been identified. For Manitoba
IBA sites visit http://www.manitobanature.ca
and click on the Important Bird Areas link.
Maximum annual grant is $5000.00. A 1:1 match is required, which may be cash,
in-kind (eg. materials and/or volunteer time), or a combination of both. Matching
funds must be in place prior to the disbursement of the first installment. Also,
documentation verifying the 1:1 match (letters of commitment from supporters)
must be forwarded to the Canadian Nature Federation prior to the disbursement
of the first installment. All applications will be subject to external review.
Application deadline for 2003-2004 funding cycle is January 17th, 2003. The
guidelines are available at http://www.ibacanada.ca.
Create a Poster that invites Membership in The Wildlife Society. Your poster
should be designed for printing on a large format, high resolution printer/plotter.
The winning poster(s) will be made available on TWS' website as a pdf file,
and downloaded and printed as needed by TWS units for use at international,
section and chapter meetings to recruit new members.
Contest Guidelines
Entries should promote the benefits of membership in The Wildlife Society.
TWS membership offers many benefits. The list below will get you started.
Please use as many as will fit your design, giving special attention to the
nine items marked with an asterisk (*). Creativity is encouraged.
Entries should be attractive, full color, include photos or graphics, and display
the TWS logo. Posters should be 24" x 36" (horizontal or vertical).
Posters should be designed for printing on a large format, high resolution printer/plotter.
The winning poster(s) will be made available on TWS' website as a pdf file,
and downloaded and printed as needed by TWS units for use at international,
section and chapter meetings to recruit new members.
Entries should be submitted as both a hard copy and cd-rom (pdf file format
preferred, but also will accept jpeg, ppt, pm, wpd, and doc files) at the Burlington
conference.
All contestants must send an email to catherine_hibbard@fws.gov by August 1
to inform organizers of your intent to participate so adequate display space
may be made available. If you are unable to attend the conference, please contact
catherine_hibbard@fws.gov for details on how to make your submission by mail.
All TWS members are eligible to participate. Limit of one entry per person.
Conference participants will select the winning poster from among qualified
entries.
Prizes will be awarded as follows:
Gift certificates are redeemable for TWS (national) books, merchandise, membership,
registration fees, or other services (expire Dec. 31, 2005). Winning entries
may be modified by TWS to meet graphic and text standards. TWS reserves the
right to unlimited use of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place posters, and use upon
approval by the designer of any other poster submitted to the contest. The designer
will be recognized on all posters used by TWS.
The Wildlife Society
5410 Grosvenor Lane Bethesda, MD 20814 USA tel. (301) 897-9770
fax. (301) 530-2471 tws@wildlife.org or
www.wildlife.org
Catherine J. Hibbard
Refuge Program Specialist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, Massachusetts 01035-9589
(413) 253-8200
(413) 253-8468 (fax)
Catherine_Hibbard@fws.gov
These 30 day Wildlife Management Courses are for students and
professionals interested in African conservation. The course includes lectures,
classes and hands-on projects taught by instructors from the University of
Pretoria's Centre for Wildlife Management.
Course topics include:
8 credits from the University of Pretoria. Cost:$2600 (US dollars)
For more information contact:
Ecolife Expeditions
976 Duncan Street
Brooklyn, Pretoria 0181
South Africa.
Phone: +27 12 460 5430
Fax: +27 12 460 9707
http://www.ecolife.co.za
email: Education@ecolife.co.za
What is it?
The Manitoba Chapter holds an annual weekend getaway at Delta Marsh featuring
speakers on wildlife issues of current interest. In addition there are opportunities
to interact with wildlife professionals and researchers in a social atmosphere.
There will be opportunities to enjoy the local outdoors (weather dependent).
When is it?
February 21 – 23 , 2003.
Starting at 19:00 on 21 February
Where is it?
The University of Manitoba Field Station at Delta marsh. Maps available to
registrants.
What does it cost?
Chapter Members:
Student: $35 (wknd), $20 Saturday only All Others: $60 (wknd), $30 Saturday
only
Non Members:
Student: $45 (wknd), $30 Saturday only All Others: $70 (wknd), $40 Saturday
only
What do I get for my money?
All meals are provided. This will include Saturday and Sunday Brunch, Supper
on Saturday and snacks on Friday and Saturday night. All accommodation. Saturday
only registrants get lunch, supper, & coffee at breaks
What is the speaker topic this year ?
Wildlife Diseases; epidemiology and implications for wildlife biologists. An
expanded program of speakers is found later on in this newsletter.
What else is there to do before/after the speakers?
Friday night will be a mixer and student posters on wildlife topics ( these
will also be available to view Saturday ). There may be a wildlife related film
- we’re still looking for a top rated one! On Saturday, following the speakers,
we will hold the annual "Great Perch Search" (icefishing at its best
on Lake Manitoba), or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the beach ridge
or marsh. Or just relax in front of the huge fireplace in the Main Lodge
What do I need to bring?
Warm clothing and equipment for your particular outdoor pursuit (a fishing license
required if you fish), personal items and a towel- all bedding is provided.
How and When do I register?
Contact Cory Lindgren at c_lindgren@ducks.ca or (204) 467-3000, before 15 February.
The Manitoba Chapter presents an annual student award valued at $500. It is awarded to a graduate student enrolled at a Manitoba University carrying out research on a topic related to wildlife in Manitoba. The basis of the award is a proposal made by the student in writing. Details of the award and how to apply are available on the Chapter website under "AWARDS". The deadline for application is February 14th, 2003. The award will be presented at the Annual General Meeting to be held in late March.
The Manitoba Chapter, will again be seeking nominations for the Conservationist Award. This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to wildlife management in Manitoba and need not be a member of the Chapter or a wildlife professional. An application form can be accessed via the Chapter website, under "AWARDS". For more details contact Don Sexton at d_sexton@ducks.ca or 467 3275.
The Manitoba Chapter will hold its Annual General Meeting on Friday March 7,
2003 at Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Center . Your annual membership fee is
due at that time. Details will be posted on the website and emailed to all members,
but will include a guest speaker, student award presentation, the 2002 student
award speaker, business meeting including the election of a new executive, and
a silent auction. Mark your calendars and watch for more details soon .
Manitoba Chapter Bylaws
-Update-
The Executive of The Manitoba Chapter are currently reviewing and preparing
a revised draft of the Chapter Bylaws . These Bylaws will be the "rules"
that guide Chapter business and must conform to the basic outline and overriding
bylaws of The Wildlife Society. The Manitoba Chapter Executive will be asking
the membership to endorse the revised bylaws at the Annual General Meeting of
the Chapter in March 2003. The "proposed guidelines" will be posted
on the Manitoba Chapter Website in February, 2003. As well, all members will
be notified of this posting and the proposal for ratification at the AGM. Watch
for these coming soon to the Chapter website.
The Wildlife Society will hold its 10th Annual Conference in Burlington, Vermont, September 6-10, 2003. The meeting will include symposia, workshops, contributed papers (oral presentations), and posters. Submission of technical papers and posters on topics of wildlife science, management, education, or policy within the broad theme of Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship through Science and Education are invited. Presentations will not be published, so reports are encouraged from the author's most recent scientific investigations and management experiences. Papers and posters should present results from completed studies or completed phases of long-term projects. Papers and posters will be accepted based on their technical merit and contribution to our knowledge of species, populations, communities, ecological processes, management practices, education models, or policy issues.
To place a request for an Associated Meeting at the 2003 Conference, please
download and complete the Request for Associated Meeting form from the Society
website at http://www.wildlife.org. You
can also download the 2003 Conference Call for Papers and Posters for more information
on paper and abstract submissions.
Symposia
Workshops
Special Poster Session
Contributed Papers and Posters
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3rd International Wildlife Management Congress
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The beautiful coastal city of Christchurch, New Zealand will be the exciting setting for the 3rd International Wildlife Management Congress. December 1-5, 2003 is early summer, the perfect time to visit New Zealand!
Programme highlights:
The Congress will have a strong Pacific and Southern Hemisphere flavour, but
the main focus will be on contrasting perspectives on wildlife management in
the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Within the theme of the Congress (Ki
te takikite tonga - ki uta kitai: From the north to the south - from mountains
to sea) we will bring these contrasting perspectives together for a fascinating
global focus on wildlife management issues in the 21st Century.
Principal themes will be:
Hosts:
The Wildlife Society (USA)
Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research (New Zealand)
Australasian Wildlife Management Society
Ngai Tahu (Maori tribe of New Zealand's South Island)
New Zealand Department of Conservation
For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.conference.canterbury.ac.nz/wildlife2003/
The 7th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conferences is coming the Calgary February 26-29, 2004. This conference has a tradition of excellence due to strong support and attendance from a broad cross-section of society including conservation groups, industry, government, and academics. More than 600 people are expected to attend. Keeping the Wild in the West will focus on sharing information and ideas on conserving prairie ecosystems, both big & small. The conference will be interest to a wide range of participants from the agricultural community, First Nations, energy industry, government agencies, municipalities, universities and conservation groups. For more information visit the conference website at http://www.PCESC.ca.
The Institute of Waterfowl and Wetlands Research, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s
research arm, has a number of job postings for research team leaders and technicians.
Interested? Check out DU Canada’s website at http://www.ducks.ca/careers/021101a.html.
NOTE: The competition for these positions closes soon !
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Don Sexton (W) 204-467-3269 e-mail: d_sexton@ducks.ca |
President Elect |
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Secretary/Treasurer: |
Niel Monchnacz e-mail: mochnaczn@dfo-mpo.gc.ca |
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Alex Miller e-mail: alex_miller@shaw.ca |
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