Membership in the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society 54th Annual Conference Wildlife Restoration: Celebrating Conservation Success and Facing Future Challenges February 23rd – February 26th Missoula, Montana Holiday Inn Downtown 1 Table of Contents About The Wildlife Society and the Montana Chapter .................................................................................................... 3 2015 - 2016 MONTANA TWS CHAPTER OFFICERS ................................................................................................................... 4 2015 - 2016 MONTANA TWS COMMITTEE CHAIRS ................................................................................................................. 4 Greetings and Welcome to the 54th Annual Conference of the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society (MT TWS) ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Conference Logo Artist ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Nominees for Executive Board Officers 2016 ..................................................................................................................... 7 Presidential Candidate .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Presidential-Elect Candidates ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Treasurer Candidates ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 2016 Conference Schedule ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Holiday Inn Downtown Map ............................................................................................................................................. 11 Daily Detailed Schedule ................................................................................................................................................... 12 Workshop - Collaborative and Innovative Strategies for Project Design and Accomplishing Work Goals ...................... 14 Plenary Speakers ............................................................................................................................................................... 15 Banquet Speaker ............................................................................................................................................................... 17 CONCURRENT SESSION SCHEDULE ................................................................................................................................... 18 POSTER SESSION ............................................................................................................................................................... 21 PLENARY SESSION ABSTRACTS .......................................................................................................................................... 22 GENERAL ABSTRACTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 More About the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society ......................................................................................... 59 STANDING COMMITTEES.................................................................................................................................................. 59 AD HOC COMMITTEES ...................................................................................................................................................... 61 Membership in the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society........................................................................................ 62 Montana Chapter Membership Fee Schedule .................................................................................................................. 63 2 Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society 54th Annual Conference Wildlife Restoration: Celebrating Conservation Success and Facing Future Challenges About The Wildlife Society and the Montana Chapter Founded in 1937, The Wildlife Society’s mission is “To inspire, empower, and enable wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations and habitats through science-based management and conservation.” The Society's membership of nearly 10,000 includes research scientists, educators, communications specialists, managers, conservation law enforcement officers, administrators and students in more than 60 countries. The principle objectives of The Wildlife Society are: 1 . To develop and promote sound stewardship of wildlife resources and of the environments upon which wildlife and humans depend; 2. To undertake a role in preventing human-induced environmental degradation; 3. To increase awareness and appreciation of wildlife values; and 4. To seek the highest standards in all activities of the wildlife profession. The Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society was chartered in 1962 and formally organized with the election of its first officers in 1963. Adoption of chapter bylaws occurred in 1964. The mission of the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society is to encourage and support effective wildlife management in Montana by fostering development of current and future wildlife professionals, providing science-based information for policy and education, and communicating and collaborating with conservation organizations and the public. The Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society Values and Respects: 1. Sound stewardship of wildlife and habitat including the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation; 2. Dedicated, passionate, and responsible wildlife professionals; 3. A diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and individuals unified behind our core mission; 4. Integrity and ethical conduct; and 5. A land ethic influenced by informed public input The Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society sponsors a conference each year. This conference occurs during the winter and provides a forum for invited speakers and member presentations. Topics focus on those issues of particular importance or interest to Montana. Our chapter is as strong as our members and participation. We have numerous committees that can use participation; there are elected positions which we encourage acceptance of nominations; and the presentation of research and management activities are always needed to continue communication between agencies and the various wildlife organizations in the state! Please see the Committees Page to find out more about the various committees in your chapter as well as chairperson contacts. The Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society has been a primary sponsor of the Intermountain Journal of Sciences (ISSN 1081-3519) since its inception in 1995. This journal provides the official publication for the printed proceedings of our annual meetings and submission of multidisciplinary scientific manuscripts for review and publication without regard to membership is encouraged. 3 Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society 54th Annual Conference Wildlife Restoration: Celebrating Conservation Success and Facing Future Challenges 2015 - 2016 MONTANA TWS CHAPTER OFFICERS President: Brent Lonner (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) Past-President: Kristina Boyd (Yaak Valley Forest Council) President-Elect: Mark Ruby (US Forest Service) Secretary: John Waller (National Park Service) Treasurer: Sonja Smith (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) Montana State University Student Chapter President: Thomas Sutton University of Montana Student Chapter President: Augustus Geldersma 2015 - 2016 MONTANA TWS COMMITTEE CHAIRS Programs: Mark Ruby Awards: Brendan Moynahan Education/Information: Terry Lonner Financial Management: Chuck Bowey Membership: Chuck Bowey Nominating and Elections: Vacant Resolutions/Public Statements: Executive Board Scholarships: Bob Garrott – MSU Paul Lukacs – UM Species of Concern Committee (Ad hoc): Bryce Maxell Effects of Recreation (Ad hoc): Bryce Maxell Grants (Ad hoc): Claire Gower Legislative Affairs (Ad hoc): Vacant Intermountain Journal of Sciences (Ad Hoc): Rick Douglass and Terry Lonner 4 Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society 54th Annual Conference Wildlife Restoration: Celebrating Conservation Success and Facing Future Challenges Greetings and Welcome to the 54th Annual Conference of the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society (MT TWS) I wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to serve as your president-elect. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with and learn from so many professionals that I admire and respect. The chapter conference always served as an inspiration to me and I expect this year to be no different. This year's theme is Wildlife Restoration: Celebrating Conservation Success and Facing Future Challenges. The subject is one of the most challenging aspects of wildlife management. The focus is intentionally broad, as the success of conservation and