The Manitoba Chapter Wildlife Society Newsletter

Presidents Corner

Speaking of "recently elected Executive", the Annual General Meeting held on March 16 at Oak Hammock Marsh was highly successful.  See the summary of the meeting in the Newsletter.  Congratulations to the Past Executive for a great job of organizing the AGM.

An item of interest to many will be the outcome of discussions with the University of Manitoba and the Chapter on the Rich Goulden Memorial Scholarship.  The Province of Manitoba continues to offer their program of matching one for one dollars with granting agencies towards student awards.  Bob Emery, former President of the Chapter and longtime member, has been seeing this through the inevitable red tape.  Bottom line is that the Chapter will continue to exert some control over the award via the criteria and also having a member sit on the selection panel.  The upside (and there is only an upside) is that we have a great opportunity to double the value of the award for the student in future years.

The Chapter is also intending to provide a presentation in support of the Manitoba Government developing contingency plans for Climate Change and its effects on our resources including wildlife.  Announcement of a Task Force in this regard was made via a Government press release on March 20, 2001 (see Newsletter feature).  Public input hearings will give the Chapter the opportunity to feature the potential impacts on wildlife and their habitats.  This is in keeping with TWS's Strategic Goals adopted by Council June 28, 2000 (see Jan/Feb 2001 -  'The Wildlifer').

For those looking forward to the annual summer meeting of CMPS, it's in Fort Collins, Colorado, July 18-20.  The theme is Conservation of Shortgrass Prairie Species.  Find out more elsewhere in the Newsletter and note the opportunity to travel as a group.

A final note to all members - any issues or concerns on wildlife or the Chapter can be brought to the attention of the Executive - our emails are on the website.  And, Executive meetings are open to all members.  Last, but not least, we are always looking for help in developing programs.  With the President Elect position vacant, an opportunity exists for any member to take on some responsibilities on behalf of the Chapter to determine if running for an Executive position next year interests you!

Have a great summer! - Don Sexton
 

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At a recent Executive meeting of the Chapter, it was decided that the Executive would deliver a short oral presentation to the Task Force during the public consultation process.  The gist of our message will be that the Chapter supports the concept of the initiative, and that there is a potential for climate change to significantly affect wildlife and their habitats in Manitoba.  Also, we encourage the province to fully consider the existing science and take carefully considered actions after analyzing the various scenarios that the climate change models predict.

A more complete summary of the Chapter's presentation will be posted on our website shortly, or you may contact Cory Lindgren at c_lindgren@ducks.ca for further information.
 

Staff at the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretative Center provided chapter members with a very tasty snack that no doubt fuelled everyone for the silent auction.  As in previous years, there were numerous items donated for the silent auction event and a huge thank-you goes out to all organizations and members who donated silent auction items.

Later in the evening, Jim Duncan took the stage and answered the question - Why are we seeing so many Great Grey Owls in Manitoba this winter ??  Dr. Duncan enlightened the membership on the behavior of and conservation efforts ongoing to manage our provincial bird, the Great Grey Owl.  I am sure that everyone present took home alittle more knowledge on this Owl and enjoyed Dr. Duncan's many photos.  Thanks to Dr. Duncan for sharing his time and knowledge with the membership.

Kurt Mazur provided the chapter membership with information regarding the upcoming "Birds of Manitoba" book being prepared by the Manitoba Avian Research Committee of the Manitoba Naturalists Society.  The 500 page, hardcover book, will feature a history of birding in Manitoba, Manitoba eco-regions, accounts of nearly 400 bird species, range maps, colour and black-and-white line drawings as well as results from Christmas and Breeding Bird Surveys.  It is anticipated that this book will be available in the summer of 2002. Advance orders are being accepted until May 31 2001.  The retail price will be $63.00 and advance purchases will cost $48.00 and is available through the Manitoba Naturalists Society by calling 943-9029. - Cory Lindgren
 

Don Sexton  -  President

I've been a member of The Wildlife Society since 1976, and a member of the Manitoba Chapter since about 1980.  Previous service on the Executive includes two stints as Secretary Treasurer and one as Member at Large in the 1980s.  I have also handled the review and selection process for the Chapter's Conservationist of the Year Award the past two years.

I've worked as a Biologist and now Manager of Field Operations for Ducks Unlimited Canada for most of my 23 year career in wildlife management.  Prior to that I had a few term and seasonal positions with Manitoba Conservation, back when they were variously known as Manitoba Natural Resources, and Manitoba Renewable Resources and Transportation Services!

My view of the Manitoba Chapter is that it represents Manitoba's wildlife professionals, but is only as strong as its membership.  The Chapter's role should be to show leadership in wildlife management and to promote a better understanding of wildlife, their habitats, the role of wildlife professionals and the need to employ sound science in decision-making in the public's view and that of governments and industry.  The Chapter also has a role in professional development of its members through seminars and information sessions or the newsletter.  And lastly, it should continue to promote the wildlife profession to students and recent graduates through strong links to our academic institutions and the Rich Goulden Memorial Student Award.

Neil Mochnacz - Student Representative

Neil has an undergraduate degree in Ecology from the University of Manitoba specializing in aquatic biology. He is currently a second year graduate student at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) where his research focuses on bull trout distribution and habitat requirements in the Northwest Territories. The research is designed to provide the government, First Nations, and the hydrocarbon industry in northern Canada with practical criteria to protect aquatic habitat during industrial development. Neil has also worked for two years throughout remote areas of Arctic Canada for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Freshwater Institute. His love for the outdoor environment stems from great experiences hiking and camping as a child. He is an outdoor enthusiast that enjoys hunting, fly-fishing, hiking, and camping.

Neil served as Student Representative for the Manitoba Chapter of the Wildlife Society in 2000/01 and is continuing these duties throughout 2001/02. Neil organized a "meet the executive night" in November 2000, promoted the Richard C. Goulden Memorial Scholarship, helped out with the GIS workshop and assumed his regular duties with the executive throughout 2000/01. Neil hopes to increase awareness of the Wildlife Society and its initiatives throughout the student community as well as promote membership throughout his second term with the chapter.

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As a professional agrologist, soil scientist and soil survey leader, Ted became intimately acquainted with the agricultural landscape throughout the province.  That experience taught him that intensive agricultural production was not always the "highest and best use" for land in the region.

Ted applied those lessons to a comprehensive land use/rural community adjustment program (called FRED) in the Interlake that, among other things, led to the establishment of all major Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in that region and the restoration of Oak Hammock Marsh.  It was a development model that showed how habitat conservation could be an integral part of rural economic development.  Ted had a major role in land adjustment initiatives along the Riding Mountain escarpment in the RM of Rosedale that ultimately led to the Conservation District movement in Manitoba.  His contribution was recently recognized through a "Conservation Builder" Award presented to him by the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association.

As a consultant and, later, as Chairperson for the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, Ted played the key role in developing the organizational structure that ensured successful delivery of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) in Manitoba.

In recognition of these outstanding achievements, the Manitoba Chapter of The Wildlife Society presents its Conservationist Award to Ted Poyser.
 
 

Mr. James Froese was awarded the 2001 Richard C. Goulden Memorial Scholarship.  Mr. Froese currently is enrolled at the University of Manitoba Natural Resources Institute.  The title of his research  is "Determining Effective Aspen Management Strategies in Manitoba's Interlake". The primary objective of his research is to identify in an experimental setting the most biologically and cost effective method to restrict aspen spread onto former grassland areas with limited aspen regeneration.  The research will be conducted near Chatfield Manitoba in the Narcisse Wildlife Management Area.  Congratulations James, the membership will look forward to hearing how your research is progressing at the 2002 AGM.

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The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc. (RRF) will hold its annual meeting from 24 October through 28 October 2001, at the Radisson Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Attendees are encouraged to register early to obtain the early registration discount and to help the local committee plan the meeting efficiently. All nonmembers are encouraged to join the Foundation.

Papers on any aspect of raptor biology, ecology, conservation or management are solicited.  To apply for a place on the program, contact the Local Committee Chair for additional information.  The deadline for receipt of abstracts is 15 August 2001. Participants will be notified of abstract acceptance and scheduling by 15 September 2001.

Two workshops are planned in conjunction with the RRF meeting: Conservation of the eastern Loggerhead Shrike, and the North American Raptor Monitoring Strategy.

MEETING SCHEDULE

Tuesday, 23 October - North American Raptor Monitoring Strategy Workshop
Wednesday, 24 October - Field Trips, Board Meeting, Registration, Ice-Breaker Reception
Thursday, 25 October - Paper Session, Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Workshop, Slide & Video Night
Friday, 26 October - Paper Session, Poster Session & Reception
Saturday, 27 October- Paper Session, Dinner & Awards Banquet
Sunday, 28 October - Field Trips

Registration Fees:
RRF Members  $140.00
Non-members  $155.00
Students  $75.00
Late Fee (after Sept. 1)  $30.00

Important Deadlines
Abstract submission  15 August, 2001
Early registration  1 September, 2001
Hotel reservation  23 September, 2001

For additional information, visit the meeting web site: http://www.networkx.net/~sparrow/rrf2001.html or the Raptor Research Foundation web site: http://biology.boisestate.edu/raptor/

Or contact:
Local Committee Chair
Jim Duncan, phone: 204-945-7465; fax: 204-945-3077; email: jduncan@nr.gov.mb.ca
Scientific Program Chair
Jeff Smith, phone: 801-484-6758; fax: 801-484-6810; email: jsmith@hawkwatch.org
Field Trips
Bill Koonz, phone: 204-945-6811; fax: 204-945-3077; email: wkoonz@nr.gov.mb.ca

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Mark your calendars for the upcoming summer meeting. The focus will be on issues related to the shortgrass prairie. While we are still putting the program together, we anticipate a full day field trip on the Pawnee National Grasslands on Thursday, July 19th. We’ll visit several sites, with presentations on the biology and issues surrounding a variety of species, including herptiles, raptors, mountain plovers, swift fox, burrowing owls, songbirds, native fish and prairie dogs. Other issues will include grazing management, cattle vs. bison, historical perspectives and the Conservation Reserve Program. We hope to carry some of that theme into the Friday technical sessions, including the role of conservation organizations in preserving the prairie, and the reintroduction of black footed ferrets.

Call for Papers and Posters: We invite the submission of technical papers for the Friday morning technical session. Papers and posters can address any topic of wildlife science or management. Abstracts (300 words) should include a statement of objectives, a brief description of the methods used, results and a summary/conclusion. If there are multiple authors, please underline the presenter’s name and include submitting author’s complete mailing address, telephone and fax number and email address. All contributed papers will be scheduled for 20 minute intervals. Please indicate audio visual needs in your submission. Abstracts should be submitted electronically, either as an email attachment or via floppy disc. Abstract deadline is May 30, 2001. Send abstracts to: Lisa Evans, Division of Wildlife, 317 W. Prospect, Ft. Collins, CO 80526. Email to lisa.evans@state.co.us.
 
 

TWS  Reno/Tahoe 2001 8th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society Reno/Tahoe, Nevada September 25-29, 2001

Plenary: The Endangered Species Act -- How do we make it work? Some new approaches.

Symposia

• Remote Photography in Wildlife Research and Management: Detection, Inventory, and Beyond
• What We Have Here Is a Failure to Communicate! Symptoms and Solutions
• Methods and Applications for Monitoring Wildlife in National Parks - sponsor: Biometrics Working Group, TWS
• Avian Interactions with Utility Structures
• Restoration and Maintenance of Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystem Health
• Conservation Management of Bison in Northern Landscapes: Advances in Ecology and Epidemiology - sponsor: International Wildlife Management Working Group, TWS
• Using Community-Based Conservation Approaches to Better Manage Human-Wildlife Conflicts in the West - sponsor: Wildlife Damage Management Working Group and Public Conservation Education and Extension Working Group, TWS
• Research and Management Concerns for Alpine Ecosystems: Conflicts, Connectivity, and Climate Change
• Understanding and Conserving Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs
• Conservation of Bats and their Habitats: Contemporary Research and Management
• Toxicological Effects of Mining on Wildlife Species - sponsor: Wildlife Toxicology Working Group, TWS
• Bayesian Analysis: a New Frontier for Wildlife - sponsor: Biometrics Working Group, TWS
• Sage Grouse Management and Habitat Relationships

• Adaptive Wildlife Management: Concepts, Optimization Tools, and Case Studies - sponsor: Biometrics Working Group, TWS
• Landscape Level Wildlife Habitat Planning and Management in the Urban Environment - sponsor: Urban Wildlife Working Group, TWS
• Developing Tomorrow's Professionals: Teaching the Skills They Will Need - sponsor: College and University Wildlife Education Working Group, TWS

• Wildlife Toxicology: Contaminant Issues in the Western U.S. - sponsor: Wildlife Toxicology Working Group, TWS

• Ecology and Conservation of Birds
• Ecology and Conservation of Mammals & Other Wildlife
• Conservation of Communities, Ecosystems & Landscapes
• Wildlife-Habitat Relationships
• Wildlife Population Dynamics, Estimation, & Modeling
• Human Dimensions, Conservation Education, & Conservation Policy
• Wildlife Damage Management
• Environmental Contaminants & Wildlife Diseases

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