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Be sure to tag us and use this year’s hashtag! @WesternTWS #TWSwest
Tenaya Lodge Wireless Internet: Username: WSWS2019 and Password: WSWS2019 Please don’t stream video or download large items – limited bandwidth available
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 1 February 4-8, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2019 ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM COMMITTEE ............................................................................................................. 2
MESSAGE FROM THE MEETING CHAIR.............................................................................................................................. 3
TWS WESTERN SECTION BOARD MEMBERS 2018 ........................................................................................................... 5
GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
GRUB .................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
2019 EXHIBIT HALL PARTICIPANTS-Forest View Room ................................................................................................. 16
2019 EXHIBIT HALL PARTICIPANTS-Salon 1 Room ......................................................................................................... 17
FUTURE MEETING DATES .................................................................................................................................................. 17
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS ............................................................................................................. 22
EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS ........................................................................................................ 24
PROFESSIONALS: SUPPORT OUR FUTURE WILDLIFERS! ............................................................................................ 25
CAREER ADVICE BOOTH ................................................................................................................................................... 26
KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND DIALOGUE .............................................................................................................................. 28
MEETING SCHEDULES ....................................................................................................................................................... 29
DETAILED SCHEDULE BY DAY AND HOUR ..................................................................................................................... 30
CONCURRENT SESSION GRID DISPLAY WEDNESDAY .................................................................................................. 32
CONCURRENT SESSION GRID DISPLAY THURSDAY ..................................................................................................... 34
CONCURRENT SESSION GRID DISPLAY FRIDAY ............................................................................................................ 36
CONTRIBUTED PAPER SCHEDULE ................................................................................................................................... 38
PLENARY AGENDA ............................................................................................................................................................. 46
PLENARY SPEAKER BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES .......................................................................................................... 47
POSTER SESSION ............................................................................................................................................................... 51
WESTERN SECTION CONSERVATION AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ....................................................................................... 48
TWS WESTERN SECTION COMMITTEES NEED VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE THE SECTION .......................................... 59
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 2 February 4-8, 2019
2019 ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM COMMITTEE Meeting Chair/President-Elect TWS-WS .................................................................................................... Matthew Bettelheim
President TWS-WS ..................................................................................................................................................... Jeff Davis
Professional Development Events & Pre-Conference Symposia .......................................................................... Janine Payne
Program Director ............................................................................................................................................... Cynthia Perrine
Meeting Planner.............................................................................................................................................. Candace Renger
Audio Visual Captains ................................. Sam Sosa, Chair; Don Yasuda, John McNerney, Mandy Culpepper, Chad Moura
Banquet Awards Ceremony ........................................................................................................... Rich Burg, Chair; Jeff Davis
Breakfast Roundtable ................................................................. Lisa Fields, Chair; Wendy Loeffler, Shay Zanetti, Terri Weist
Chapter Leaders Meeting .......................................................................................................................................... Jeff Lincer
Diversity Committee ......................... Bayan Ahmed, Chair; Jaclyn Aliperti, Korinna Domingo, Christopher Collier, Katie Smith
Exhibit Hall Chair ................................................................................................................................................ Callie Amoaku
How NOT to Give a Presentation Presenter ............................................................................................................ Jon Hooper
Job Interview Panel ................................................................................................................................................ David Wyatt
Keynote Speech Coordinator ............................................................................................................................. Cynthia Perrine
Onsite Registration .................................................................................................................................................... Cari Shaw
Peer Review & Publishing Workshop ............................................................................................................... Rocky Gutiérrez
Photo Collection Submissions and Slideshow ................................................................................................ Eveline Larrucea
Photographer ........................................................................................................................................................ Janine Payne
Plenary Session .......................................................................................................................................... Matthew Bettelheim
Poster Session Co-Chairs ......................................................................................................... Carlos Alvarado, Allison Fuller
Printed Program Compilation ............................................................................................................................ Natasha Dvorak
Printed Program Editing ............................................................................................ Debra Hawk, John Perrine, Rick Williams
Raffle and Silent Auction ............................................................................. Sandra Hunt-von Arb, Chair; Matthew Bettelheim, Kristen Burgess, Randi McCormick, Terri Weist
Résumé & Job Interview Skills Workshops ............................................................................................................ Kristina Hunt
Retirees Meeting............................................................................................................................................... Rocky Gutiérrez
Student Affairs Committee .................... Katie Smith, Chair; Matthew Bettelheim, Anna Cassady, Kristina Hunt, Patti Krueger, Randi Logsden, Randi McCormick, Elizabeth Meisman, Kacy O’Malley,
Liisa Schmoele, Courtney Tuskan, Kristen Wasz, Colleen Wisinski, Dave Wyatt
Student Judging Coordinators ............................................................................................................ Brian Barton, Terri Weist
Volunteer Coordination .............................................................................................. Ryan Baumbusch, Chair; Kristin Burgess
Wildlife Career Symposium ..................................................................................................... Liisa Schmoele, Randi Logsdon
Yosemite Workshop & Field Trip ........................................................................................................ Rachel Mazur, Jeff Davis
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 3 February 4-8, 2019
MESSAGE FROM THE MEETING CHAIR
FEBRUARY 2019
Fellow Wildlifers,
Thank you for joining us at the 2019 annual meeting of our section at the cozy Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite in Fish Camp, California. We have scheduled a wonderful slate of activities, networking events, and professional paper sessions that I hope you will enjoy.
Our theme and plenary session topic this year is “Death and Taxas: Extinction and Speciation During the Anthropocene.” We find ourselves faced with death, the plight of declining to extinct taxa, the discovery of new taxa, and the rediscovery of taxa thought to be extinct. Extirpation, recovery, extinction, and rewilding: one thing they have in common is humans, one thing that differentiates them is the passage of time. To reach extinction, to resort to rewilding, means we’ve waited too long. In the Anthropocene, time is money, and the costs to rebuild a species from genes and spare parts can be exponentially greater than those necessary to manage a species in decline. These are sobering thoughts in trying times, but the challenges are not insurmountable. Even as science marches forward, there is still time to remember the past so that we are not condemned to repeat it. These are the questions we’ll be exploring, using case studies from the past – the elephant seal, California condor – to inform crises in the present – Sierra Nevada red fox, mountain yellow-legged frog.
TWS meetings provide many opportunities! Present your research, learn from others, learn about TWS, and network. We hope you establish future collaborations, generate new ideas, and reinvigorate your enthusiasm for wildlife conservation as well as make new friends and colleagues. Thank you for sharing your time with us and helping us build a stronger Western Section of TWS.
Sincerely,
Matthew Bettelheim, TWS-WS President-Elect 2019 TWS-WS Annual Meeting Chair Certified Wildlife Biologist, Science Writer, Natural Historian, AECOM Employee
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 4 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 5 February 4-8, 2019
BOARD MEMBERS 2018
Executive Committee
President Jeff Davis Colibri Ecological Consulting, LLC
Past-President Rocky Gutiérrez Retired, University of Minnesota
President-Elect Matthew Bettelheim AECOM
Section Representative Cynthia Perrine TWS Western Section
Treasurer John McNerney City of Davis
Secretary Bridget Sousa Swaim Biological, Inc.
Student Chapter Representatives
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Courtney Tuskan
Humboldt State David Eubanks
San Francisco State Natalie Greer
UC Davis Thomas Grossman
UC Santa Barbara Dimitri Katsiouleris
University of Nevada, Reno Krymsen Hernandez
Chapter Representatives
California Central Coast Clint Scheuerman Environmental Consultant
California North Coast Elizabeth Meisman Green Diamond Resource Company
Hawaii Rachel Sprague Pulama Lanai’i
Nevada Kelley Stewart University of Nevada, Reno
Sacramento-Shasta Carlos Alvarado Ascent Environmental
San Francisco Bay Area Natasha Dvorak Swaim Biological, Inc.
San Joaquin Valley Randi McCormick McCormick Biological
Southern California Jeff Lincer
Committee Chairs
Awards and Grants Richard Burg CA Dept. Fish & Wildlife
Communications Chair Suzanne Marczak San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research
Conservation Affairs Kelly Holland GEI Consultants
Diversity Committee – Ad Hoc Caitlin Roddy
Membership/Historian Don Yasuda USDA Forest Service
Professional Development Janine Payne
Student Affairs Katie Smith WRA Environmental Consultants-/UC Davis
Howard O. Clark, Jr. Colibri Ecological Consulting, LLC
Contractors
Accountant Mike Chapel
Program Director Cynthia Perrine
Project Manager and Meeting Planner Candace Renger
Webmaster Eric Renger
Workshop Coordinator Ivan Parr
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 6 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 7 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 8 February 4-8, 2019
GENERAL INFORMATION
Behind the Logo: Laura Duffy is a San Francisco Bay Area wildlife biologist with experience in wildlife science, marine and coastal ecology, marine protected areas, and education and outreach – plus, a heretofore hidden talent in the arts. When she’s not at work, you can find Laura volunteering, painting, running, skiing, hiking, swimming, and exploring the coast. Weeks after accepting the assignment to develop the logo for this year’s annual meeting, Laura also accepted a FEMA deployment to Puerto Rico to help respond to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria. In between work and the not-infrequent intra-island moves required to help Puerto Rico recover, Laura worked hard to create our 2019 logo, “Death and Taxas: Extinction and Speciation During the Anthropocene.” The logo features species not only on the brink of extinction (Lange’s metalmark butterfly, Delta smelt, Sierra Nevada red fox) or possibly extinct (Fresno kangaroo rat) but also those on the road to recovery (California Condor) and successfully recovered (northern elephant seal), all set against the magnificent backdrop of Yosemite’s Half Dome.
Birds and their Habitats in the Sierra Nevada. Wednesday, 8:00am to 9:30am, Madera Room. Speaker: Ted Beedy. Ted will take us on a virtual transect of the range from the oak savanna in the west, through serene conifer forests of the west side, up into the majestic alpine regions, as well as the arid habitats of the east side. Along the way we’ll see and hear the stunning diversity of birds that make the Sierra their home. We’ll learn about how they use the varied habitats, which birds are in decline and which are expanding and increasing. Ted will also address some mysteries surrounding some of those species and discuss how birders can help to solve them. Ted Beedy has spent most of his life birding in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada. He lives in Nevada City and leads frequent field trips for Sierra Foothills Audubon Society as well as other birding and conservation groups. He recently co-authored a new book with Ed Pandolfino that was illustrated by Keith Hansen and published by the University of California Press: “Birds of the Sierra Nevada: Their Natural History, Status, and Distribution.” Ted received his Ph.D. in Zoology from UC Davis in 1982.
Breakfast Roundtable. Wednesday, 7:30am to 9:30am in Salon 1. Roundtable discussions were created in response to post-meeting membership surveys calling for more venues and events that facilitate small-group conversations about issues of interest to Wildlifers. We will have one breakfast roundtable at the 2019 Annual Meeting on to help you exchange ideas and cultivate productive professional relationships. The event starts promptly at 7:30 am. No late admissions please. Advance purchase required. Breakfast discussion topic 2019: Implications of protections for subspecies versus full species— Should subspecies be afforded the same level of protections as full species, why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of listing/protecting subspecies versus full species? What are the differences that must be addressed to protect multiple subspecies versus a single species?
Breakfast Socials. Thursday and Friday mornings from 7-8am in the Embers Restaurant. The Breakfast Socials are a new take on the Breakfast Roundtable concept, providing attendees an opportunity for an unstructured, yet prompted, conversation around a theme. Suggested conversation starters consisting of a few questions will be displayed on tables to encourage lively conversation around that day’s theme. Thursday Theme: Coordination and Collaboration and Friday Theme: Conference Conversations. Advance purchase required.
Business Meeting and Members Forum. Thursday 4:30 to 6:00pm, Salons 4-5. Reports summarizing Executive Board accomplishments and key highlights will be located in the back of the room. Minutes will be recorded during this meeting to track issues, ideas, and action items for the Executive Board. Attendance by all members is encouraged.
Career Advice Booth. “The Wildlife Biologist is in!” á la the Doctor’s booth belonging to Lucy of Peanuts fame. The booth will be attended by professionals during session breaks on Wednesday and Thursday. Ask your burning questions. An updated schedule is available at the booth!
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 9 February 4-8, 2019
Career Fair & Recruiters. Our traditional Career Fair will not be held this year. Jobs may be posted on the Jobs Board near the registration room. If you are hiring, please stop by the Student Affairs table to pick up an “I’m hiring!” button. Job seekers can wear “Hire me!” buttons to advertise their mutual needs. Companies with Exhibit Hall tables who are hiring are encouraged to use those booths as a dual-platform. Students and early career professionals are encouraged to attend the Wildlife Career Symposium and the Career Advice Booth.
Cell Phone – Informal Policy. The Western Section of The Wildlife Society strongly encourages all meeting participants to silence their cellular phones and similar devices prior to entering meeting rooms! The informal policy of the Western Section is that, if your device makes an audible noise during any session, you will be expected to purchase a beverage for every person in your seating row at that evening’s social function. Seriously…you beep, you buy!
Chapter Leaders Meeting. Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:30pm in the Boardroom. Join other Chapter board members and leaders to discuss the challenges you face in your Chapter. Brainstorm solutions together and share what systems and strategies work for your Chapter. There is room for up to two designated Board Members from each TWS-WS Student and Professional Chapter.
Certification Program – TWS. Certification of wildlife biologists is a service provided by The Wildlife Society for wildlife professionals who may desire a peer evaluation statement. The Wildlife Society is committed to the sound stewardship of wildlife resources under the guidance of well-educated, experienced, and dedicated wildlife biologists. To further this aim, The Wildlife Society has established standards for certifying the credentials of qualified wildlife biologists.
A professional wildlife biologist is a person with the educational background and demonstrated expertise in the art and science of applying the principles of ecology to the conservation and management of wildlife and its habitats. An applicant for professional certification who demonstrates this expertise through education and experience, and is judged to be able to represent the profession as an ethical practitioner, will be designated as a Certified Wildlife Biologis t. An applicant for professional certification who has limited experience but who has completed the rigorous academic standards and is judged to be able to represent the profession as an ethical practitioner will be designated as an Associate Wildlife Biologist (AWB). After sufficient experience is gained, the AWB may apply for the more advanced level of certification. Please visit the TWS (National) website (www.wildlife.org) for additional details, or contact your TWS -Western Section Professional Development Committee.
Concurrent Sessions. Concurrent sessions will be held on Wednesday afternoon, Thursday morning, and Friday morning You may refer to pages 32-45 for session topics, times, and locations.
Diversity Film – Grand Premiere. The Western Section Diversity committee film will premiere at the Wednesday Keynote Session held from 10:00am to Noon in Salons 4-5. We started this project because as a group we felt that, while the wildlife field has become increasingly diverse over the past few years, we still have a lot of work to do before we are truly diverse and inclusive. Our goal for this film is to show varying perspectives that people have on the wildlife field and the role that diversity plays within it. At the same time, we want to inspire youth to get involved in the wildlife sciences. We want aspiring scientists to be able to watch this film, see themselves potentially doing fieldwork, and be interested in environmental and wildlife issues. For this reason, we thought it would be a great idea to show what people are working on and the interesting wildlife species that they are working with. Our film showcases undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional biologists who represent different ages, genders, ethnicities, and life experiences. They also come from different backgrounds and have varied interests in the wildlife field, such as hunting, citizen science, field research, and public outreach or education. But they are all wildlife biologists, and are all passionate about helping the environment and diversifying the wildlife community.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 10 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 11 February 4-8, 2019
Elevator Speech Training. Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm (Boardroom). Students interested in pursuing graduate school will hear elevator speeches from Western Section Research Principle Investigators (P.I.s) for Masters and Ph.D. programs. Students attending this workshop will then share interests in a speed-round session. What is an elevator pitch? An elevator pitch is a concise, carefully planned, and well-practiced marketing message about your professional self that your grandmother should be able to understand in the time it would take to ride up an elevator. It should contain a hook or theme and last no longer than 60 seconds; resonate with your unique personality and interests, and contain a follow-up request for a business card, a referral, or future meeting.
Exhibits and Vendor Displays. The Exhibit Hall is in the Forest View Ballroom –the hub of the meeting. Hours are Tuesday 3:00pm to 8:30pm, Wednesday 9:00am to 7:00pm, Thursday 8:00am to 9:00pm, and Friday 8:00am to 11:00am.
HSU Reunion. A reunion will be held for all past and current Humboldt State University students, faculty and staff on Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30pm in the Embers Restaurant.
How NOT to Give a Scientific Presentation. Join us for this informative (and fun!) workshop led by retired California State University, Chico professor Jon Hooper. Jon has been leading communication workshops around the country for the past 40 years. He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist, a Certified Interpretive Trainer, and has a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology. This workshop will be held on Wednesday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm in the Madera room.
Job/Messages/Announcements Board. Post and view job announcements on the job board located near the registration desk. Please do not post résumés as we cannot be responsible for the security of your personal information.
Job Interview Panel: I Got a Job Interview, Now What? – Getting Jobs in a Tough Job Environment. Join us for a panel discussion about the skills that employers desire to see in prospective new hires and what candidates can expect in the interview process. Panelists include biologists from federal and state agencies and from private industry. Questions will also be fielded from the audience. The panel discussion will be held on Friday from 11:15am to 12:15pm in Salon 1.
Keynote Address & Dialogue. The Keynote Address and Dialogue will be held on Wednesday from 10:00am to Noon in Salons 4 & 5. Dr. Jennifer Malpass will deliver this year’s Keynote Speech titled Adapt or Die: Changes in who we serve and who we are. The Western Section TWS Diversity committee will also unveil their brand-new film at the Keynote Session which showcases undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional biologists who represent different ages, genders, ethnicities, and life experiences.
Members Awards Banquet. Join us for a cozy banquet to celebrate another wonderful wildlife season with your new friends, old friends and colleagues. The 2019 Awards program will follow the meal, along with networking and a short raffle. The banquet will be held Wednesday evening from 7:00pm to 10:00pm in Salons 2-5. All registered conference participants are invited to attend the no-host cocktail reception preceding the banquet in the Foyer. Also, for those who did not purchase banquet tickets, the presentation, awards, and raffle are open to all meeting attendees at 8:00pm or as soon as the doors open to the banquet hall. We encourage everyone to keep it casual this year with cozy clothing - think fleece, not suits!
Professional Development. The number of contact hours for each workshop and contributed paper session is equal to the number of actual hours spent in a workshop or session and does not include time allotted for breaks or lunch. Generally, attendance at the TWS-WS Annual Meeting is not creditable for an initial application for Certified Wildlife Biologist or Associate Wildlife Biologist (but this year’s pre-meeting events are!); however, meeting hours may be credited one for one toward CWB Recertification. For example, if you attend four, 2.5-hour technical sessions (sorry, social events do not count!) you may claim 10 hours toward a Professional Development Certificate (in category 1) or toward Certified Wildlife Biologist renewal (also category 1). Speaking in or chairing a session is usually credited at 1 hour = 2 hours. Additional information on the TWS Professional Development Certificate and Certified /Associate Wildlife Biologist programs is available from the TWS-Western Section Professional Development Committee or on the TWS website. Please visit the TWS website (www.wildlife.org) for additional details or contact your TWS-Western Section Professional Development Committee.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 12 February 4-8, 2019
Publishing and Peer-Reviewing Scholarly Papers: Process, Pitfalls, and Responsibilities. Wednesday from 8:00am to 10:00am in Salon 2. Organized by R.J. Gutiérrez, Professor and Gordon Gullion Endowed Chair Emeritus, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. No additional cost, included in the meeting registration fee. The purpose of this workshop is to provide an overview of the process of publishing and reviewing papers. Researchers employ many strategies when publishing papers, so there is no magic strategy for success. “In this workshop, I will simply provide my perspective on things to consider when one is trying to publish a paper; these are observations synthesized from my own experiences over several decades as an author, reviewer, and editor. I will discuss the broad issues of ‘why publish, what to publish, when to publish, how to publish, and where to publish’ – illustrated with specific examples.” – R.J. Gutiérrez.
Plenary Session. The Plenary Session, titled Death and Taxas: Extinction and Speciation During the Anthropocene, will be held on Thursday from 1:30pm to 3:00pm in Salons 4 & 5. There will be no concurrent sessions during the plenary session. Everyone should plan to attend. See the Plenary Agenda for more information about the speakers.
Poster Session. Posters will be available for viewing in Salon 1 starting on Wednesday at 4:00pm through the end of the Poster Reception which concludes at 9:00pm on Thursday evening. No-host bars in the foyer from 4:00pm – 11:00pm on Thursday. Chili bar & veggies served from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in Salons 1-5 (name badge required).
Professional Development Committee (PDC) Meeting. The PDC will meet on Thursday afternoon from 3:15pm to 4:15pm in Salons 4-5. This is an opportunity for PDC chapter coordinators and PDC Section members to discuss objectives and schedules for 2019 events and activities. Whether your interest is as a subject matter expert for a topic of interest or as host of a facility that would be perfect for field workshops, this meeting is a great chance to make an action plan to serve Western Wildlifers. Come and offer your skills and knowledge or learn what events are in the works.
Raffle and Silent Auction. We encourage everyone to purchase raffle tickets and bid high on the silent auction! All 2019 raffle ticket sales and silent auction purchases will be donated to support Western Section student and early career professionals. Raffle tickets will be sold starting Tuesday night at the Welcome Reception, and a last call for raffle tickets will be announced after dinner at the Member’s Banquet on Wednesday evening. The raffle will be a Dutch/Bucket raffle which will be held at the end of Wednesday night’s banquet. Place tickets in the buckets for the prizes you hope to win. This banquet raffle is a lot of fun and there will be some amazing prizes, including some new super surprises! The silent auction will open on Wednesday morning and will close just before the Poster Reception on Thursday evening at 6:30pm. Items must be purchased and picked up by 11am on Friday. The silent auction items will be on display starting Tuesday at the Welcome Reception.
Retirees Meeting. Are you retired and want to connect with other retired TWS-WS members? Gather informally on Wednesday from 12:30am to 1:30pm in the Boardroom to talk about issues important to retired Wildlifers.
Photographer. Say "Cheese" for our meeting photographer, Janine Payne. Please check in with her if you have any concerns, and especially if you'd like her to take a photo for you!
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 13 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 14 February 4-8, 2019
Recycled and Low Environmental Impact Program Materials. This program has been printed on 30% post-consumer recycled and Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper. Ascent’s participation in Close the Loop, a zero waste to landfill recycling program, allows for 100% recycling of collected consumable supplies such as cartridges, drum units and toner bottles. Best of all, it manufactures eLumber™ using all the waste that was once considered unusable. Thank you to Ascent Environmental for handling the layout and printing this program at no charge to TWS-WS. They also provided outstanding editing skils (AND that last bit is just a silly joke for the few who actually read these things).
Refreshment and Lunch Breaks. Drinks will be provided in the foyer throughout the week. Light refreshments will also be provided at the afternoon breaks on Wednesday and Thursday. The meeting registration fee for 2019 includes several meals at no additional cost: the Tuesday Fajita Bar Welcome Reception, Wednesday and Thursday Box Lunches, and Thursday Chili Bar Poster Reception are all included with the meeting registration.
Registration Desk. Registration materials, general information, and Western Section membership applications can be picked up at the Registration Desk located in the Mariposa room at the Tenaya Lodge.
Résumé Workshops led by Kristina Hunt, Career Advisor in the Academic & Career Advising Center for the College of Natural Resources and Sciences at Humboldt State University. Advance signups required. All workshops will be held in the Madera Room.
● Wednesday 2:30 to 3:30pm Job Interview Skills Workshop. Preparing for an interview can be stressful and overwhelming. Many people will needlessly spend hours practicing answers to all the questions they find in an internet search. This workshop will help you learn how to prepare efficiently, take control of the interview and ensure that you are ready for any question that might come your way. With a little guidance, you can easily stand out from other applicants.
● Wednesday 4:00pm to 6:00pm A Beginner’s Guide: The Basics of a Résumé, C.V., and Interview Skills. This workshop will review the basics of a résumé, with an emphasis on formatting and categories to include. Participants will learn to recognize where structure is necessary and when creative freedom is appropriate when constructing a résumé. We will focus on how to gain experience to put on a résumé and discuss interview skills for someone who has minimal experience in the wildlife field.
● Thursday 10:00 to Noon Advanced Résumé, C.V., and Interview Skills. This workshop will build on a foundation of résumé skills. Participants will learn how to use a job announcement to highlight their strengths and gain more information about C.V.s. We will focus on how to build interview skills that will allow you to talk about unique experiences you have gained, while keeping it relevant to an employer. This workshop is most appropriate for those who have attended a workshop previously, have a successful résumé or C.V., or are preparing to apply to (or are attending) graduate school.
● Thursday 2:00pm to 4:00pm Résumé Critiques by advance appointment. Kristina will also be available on a sign-up basis to critique C.V.s/résumés. She is also willing to review emailed résumés and C.V.s after the annual meeting. Sign up here: https://twsresumereview.youcanbook.me
Re-usable Name Badge Holders. The Western Section is now using re-usable name badge holders. At the end of the meeting, please drop off your name badge holder at the Registration Desk so it can be re-used next year. Thanks!
Speaker Practice Room. The Boardroom is available for speakers to practice their presentations. Obtain a key from the Registration Desk. Advance signups suggested.
Student Presentation Contest. Recognition is awarded to the best student oral and poster presentations. Award winners will be announced on our website and through our email list-serv after the meeting.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 15 February 4-8, 2019
Student Mixer. Wednesday from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in Salon 1. An opportunity for all students to come together in a relaxed environment to meet, network, and share experiences.
Videotaping and Photography Policy. Videotaping and photography of participants at meeting events may occur. Western Section of TWS may use photographs and videos of meeting attendees for any lawful purpose, including publicity, illustration, advertising, newsletter, and web content. More information will be available at the meeting registration desk. Your registration and attendance at this meeting confirms your acknowledgement and agreement with these terms for use of videos and photographs.
Welcome Reception. Tuesday from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in Salons 1-4 & Grand Terrace. Fajitas served from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. A ticket or name badge symbol indicating payment is required for this event. Wildlife photos submitted by Western Wildlifers and Wildlings will be on display. Wear a Wildlife T-Shirt! Student judges will award prizes for the best shirts in several categories: Best Howling Wolf, Best TWS-WS Shirt, Funniest, Best in Science/Nature.
Western Wildlife Planning Meeting. Western Wildlife is our peer-reviewed online journal. All are welcome to join the Planning Meeting on Thursday from 7:30am to 8:30am in the Boardroom to talk about Western Wildlife.
Wildlife Career Symposium. Geared toward students and early career professionals, the Wildlife Career Symposium will be held on Friday, February 8 from 9:00am to 11:00am in Salon 1. Attendance is free to all registered conference attendees. Do you want to learn more about career paths in wildlife biology and natural resources fields? Have you wondered how people end up working in a wildlife job they love? If so, please join us for the Wildlife Careers Symposium, where you will hear from professional biologists working at State and Federal agencies, non-profit organizations, consulting firms, and corporations. These professionals have a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, and they will share their current work, as well as what they have learned over the course of their careers, to encourage and inspire you to follow your passion to a career in the wildlife field. This event consists of two parts: (1) 9:00am to 10:00am: general wildlife careers overview from six representatives of Federal and State agencies, consulting firms, and industry; and (2) 10:00am to 11:00am: round robin discussion with a panel of wildlife professionals.
GRUB
We are excited to meet in the forest this year! However, a forest meeting means limited restaurant and food options due to the rural location. The meeting registration fee for 2019 includes several meals at no additional cost. The Tuesday Fajita Bar Welcome Reception, Wednesday and Thursday Box Lunches, and Thursday Chili Bar Poster Reception are all included with the meeting registration. Tenaya Lodge has three options for on-the-fly food purchases, but they may be very busy with possible long wait times. All hotel rooms at the Tenaya Lodge have mini-refrigerators and Keurig coffee systems.
Tenaya Lodge
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Small deli that serves take-away sandwiches, hot drinks, and sodas/waters/juices/beer/wine by the bottle
Jackalopes, a pub style bar & grill Sierra Restaurant - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Fish Camp General Store
Open daily 7:00am to 8:00pm Mon-Sat. 7:00am to 7:00pm Sun. Deli, groceries, sandwiches. 0.7-mile from Tenaya Lodge.
Town of Oakhurst
13.9 miles from Tenaya Lodge. Multiple restaurants and grocery stores.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 16 February 4-8, 2019
2019 EXHIBIT HALL PARTICIPANTS – FOREST VIEW ROOM Organization Email
Animex Fencing ............................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Ascent Environmental ................................................................................................ [email protected]
Career Advice Booth, TWS-WS ............................................................................................................ [email protected]
Conservation Affairs Committee, TWS-WS ................................................................................... [email protected]
Coyote Brush Studios .............................................................................................................. [email protected]
Craft and Quail .................................................................................................................................. [email protected]
Diversity Committee, TWS-WS .............................................................................................................. [email protected]
Desert Tortoise Council ........................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Dudek ........................................................................................................................................................ [email protected]
ERTEC Environmental Systems .................................................................................................... [email protected]
GeoTrak, Inc. ..................................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Hobbs Ecology ...................................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Holohil Systems Ltd. .................................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Leia Hewitt Photography ................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Lotek Wireless Inc………………………………………………………………………………………………[email protected]
Natural Resource Data Solutions, Inc. .................................................................................................................. [email protected]
North Star Science and Technology, LLC .............................................................................................. [email protected]
Raffle & Silent Auction, TWS-WS ........................................................................................................... [email protected]
Student Affairs, TWS-WS ....................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Swaim Biological Incorporated............................................................................................................. [email protected]
Titley Scientific ....................................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Tomahawk Live Trap ................................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Westervelt Ecological Services ........................................................................................................... [email protected]
Wildnote ............................................................................................................................................. [email protected]
Workshops, TWS-WS ........................................................................................................................ [email protected]
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 17 February 4-8, 2019
2019 EXHIBIT HALL PARTICIPANTS – SALON 1 ROOM Organization Email
AECOM ................................................................................................................................ [email protected]
Central Coast Chapter TWS ........................................................................................................... [email protected]
GEI Consultants.......................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Humboldt State Wildlife Graduate Student Society ....................................................................... [email protected]
LSA .......................................................................................................................................................... [email protected]
McCormick Biological .......................................................................................................... [email protected]
National Wildlife Federation ............................................................................................................................... [email protected]
North Coast Chapter TWS ................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Sac-Shasta Chapter TWS .................................................................................................................. [email protected]
San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research ..................................................................... [email protected]
SF Bay Area Chapter TWS ............................................................................................................................. [email protected]
Southern CA Chapter TWS .......................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Wildlands, Inc……………………………………………..……… ………………………………………[email protected]
FUTURE MEETING DATES
TWS Western Section Annual Meeting
• February 3-7, 2020: Redding, CA - Holiday Inn & Red Lion Inn
• February 1-5, 2021: Riverside, CA - Convention Center & The Mission Inn
TWS Annual Conference
• September 29-October 3, 2019: Reno, Nevada
• September 27-October 1, 2020: Louisville, Kentucky
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 18 February 4-8, 2019
Western Wildlife www.wwjournal.org
PUBLISH WITH US
• Peer reviewed
• Open access
• On-line immediately upon acceptance and final formatting
• Original research, notes, reviews, perspectives and correspondence on the ecology, natural history, management, and conservation biology of animals
• Submit materials to David Germano at [email protected]
READ THE LATEST RESEARCH
• 2018 December 12: Diet and Nesting Trends of Two Sympatric Terns Breeding in the San Francisco Bay, David L. Riensche, Meredith L. Elliott, Sarah K. Riensche, and Rebekah E. Riensche
• 2018 November 12: The Biology and Ecology of the Amargosa Vole (Microtus californicus scirpensis), Risa Pesapane, Deana L. Clifford, Justin C. Lam, Nora Allan, Austin Roy, Nicole Bellini, Olivia Rivett, and Janet Foley
• 2018 July 23: History, Status, and Population Trends of Cottontail Rabbits and Jackrabbits in the Western United States, David E. Brown, Greg Beatty, J. Elaine Brown, and Andrew T. Smith
• 2018 June 18: Predation of a Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) by a Great Egret (Ardea alba), David J. Germano and Bill Buchroeder
• 2018 February 28: Mass Mortalities of Migratory Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus): Implications for Ecosystem Function, Conservation, or Management?, Vernon C. Bleich
• 2018 February 28: Coastal Vegetation Communities Affect Mesocarnivore Activity in Northern California Dune Ecosystems, Elizabeth Meisman, Claire Bortot, Lauren Enriquez, Colleen Herr, Sean Ihle, Steven Jensen, Matthew Johnson, Mark Sampson, and Carrie Wendt
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 19 February 4-8, 2019
How to stay in communication with TWS-WS:
● Join our email list:
http://tinyurl.com/WesternSection-Mailing-List
● Twitter: @WesternTWS
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tws.western
● Visit our website: www.tws-west.org
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 20 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 21 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 22 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 23 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 24 February 4-8, 2019
TWS-WS EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS The Western Section of TWS Board of Directors knows it’s hard to land that permanent full-time position, and they want to help folks advance their career by attending the 2019 Annual Meeting! The Western Section awarded TWO ($500 each) Early Career Professional Scholarships this year. The award winners are all Western Section members who have a relevant bachelor’s degree but are unemployed, underemployed, or employed outside of the wildlife profession.
Announcing our 2019 Early Career Professional Scholarship Winners
Rebecca Peterson – UC Santa Cruz, BS Ecology & Evolution 2016
“Although I have considered other careers related to wildlife and other animals, being a wildlife biologist has stuck with me since my very first time in the field as an undergraduate. I strongly believe in the pursuit of knowledge and the scientific method as tools to shed light onto how we can better interact with wildlife. I want to be a part of a team that protects ecosystems by preserving keystone species, such as carnivores, and studies their behaviors so that humans may co-exist with them better. I am excited at the prospect of meeting professionals and peers who have the same goals as I do and become part of a team where we can leave a positive impact on our communities. I am excited at the prospect of learning about new developments in the field that give us better data and more insight into wildlife ecology. I am ready to take the next step in finding where I fit in the field of wildlife ecology, and I believe attending the conference will help me discover what the next step is.”
Sarah Hockensmith – Chico State University, BS Natural Resource Management 2014
“The environment is important. Science is important and a lot of people have not had the opportunities to recognize the value behind it. If there is any way I could give back in this lifetime, it would be to share my enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion for the natural sciences and the outdoors to influence others to be stewards of our natural resources and find value in the environment. With binoculars around my neck and a smile on my face, I am eager to learn, find answers behind unanswered questions, and share the importance of science with those that are willing to listen with competence. Working for various governmental entities, balancing college athletics and classroom academics, all while spending a significant time outside birdwatching and learning more about the natural world, I understand the meaning of hard work and am willing to go beyond curiosity to learn all that I can to become a well-versed scientist and naturalist as well as share that information with others. I understand how to teach others of all ages and backgrounds with humble and caring attention and would love to have this opportunity to grow as an individual/professional at the upcoming Wildlife Society conference.”
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 25 February 4-8, 2019
PROFESSIONALS: SUPPORT OUR FUTURE WILDLIFERS! Dear Wildlife Professional:
Remember how it felt to be a student at your first conference? Or an early career professional trying to land that first wildlife biology job? It was a little overwhelming and intimidating, right?
One of the aims of The Wildlife Society is to support and foster the next generation of wildlife professionals. Please help us meet that goal by looking for opportunities to engage with students.
Here’s how (it’s easy!):
● Students have blue badge-holders and Early Career Professionals have red badge-holders. When you see a student or an Early Career Professional, especially one who might need some conference guidance, introduce yourself and help them engage in a conversation, session or activity.
● Fill out your “Ask me about…” button. We will be encouraging students to ask you about it! You can change the topic every day with your re-usable badge.
● Stop by the Student Activities table and let us know if you would be interested in being a mentor at the meeting.
● Pick up buttons at the Student Affairs table so students know your expertise. This will help them approach you for a conversation!
If you have any questions or ideas about how to help TWS-WS help students get the most out of their experiences at our Annual Meeting, please visit us at the Student Activities table, located in the Exhibit Hall.
Katie Smith, Chair Student Affairs Committee
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 26 February 4-8, 2019
Career Advice Booth Hey Students! Stop by during breaks on Wednesday and Thursday to chat with professionals
about a variety of career options and experiences!
Time Affiliation Experience and Expertise
Wed
nesd
ay F
ebru
ary
6
9:30-9:45 AM Swaim Biological, Inc. Wildlife biologist, generalist, conservation and permitting Jacobs Wildlife biologist- marine/terrestrial, education, husbandry
9:45-10:00 AM California Department of Fish and Wildlife Carnivores, spatial ecology; cannabis and wildlife Collins Pine Company Wildlife and forest management; Amphibians; T&E Species
12:00-12:20 PM California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wetland management and ecology, restoration, T&E
Species
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wetland management and ecology, restoration, T&E Species
12:20-12:40 PM Westervelt Ecological Services General wildlife surveys, drone operation, document preparation.
12:40-1:00 PM WEST-INC Avian biologist with worldwide work experience
3:00-3:15 PM Academic & Consulting Wildlife Biologist/Entomologist/Consultant Sierra Nevada Conservancy; Retired CDFW
Wildlife/Conservation Policy; Conservation Planning; Naturalist
3:15-3:30 PM Brown-Berry Biological Consulting Bats, Consulting, Academia, Research Brown-Berry Biological Consulting Bats, Consulting, Academia, Research
5:00-5:20 PM McCormick Biological, Inc. T&E species of central California; surveys and permitting
5:20-5:40 PM California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Getting a job with the state/CDFW; timber; CESA California Department of Fish and Wildlife
5:40-6:00 PM Harris and Associates Natural resources conservation planning, ecological
restoration, and permitting Harris and Associates
Thur
sday
Feb
ruar
y 7
10:00-10:15 AM California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Biologist: big game/resource assessment California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Biologist: Human/wildlife conflict, game
10:15-10:30 AM
San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research
Coordinating burrowing owl research and conservation efforts throughout Southern California
San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research
Burrowing owl research; Conservation biology, population dynamics, and habitat use of birds
3:00-3:15 PM WEST-INC Avian biologist with worldwide work experience Dudek Wildlife biologist, permitting, wetlands
4:15-4:30 PM SFO Protect habitats of threatened and endangered species, and
make the airport less attractive to wild animals Nomad Ecology Herpetology, wildlife diets
4:30-4:45 PM WEST-INC Avian biologist with worldwide work experience
Humboldt State University Career Advisor to Wildlife Students at Humboldt State University
4:45-5:00 PM National Ecological Observatory Network Wildlife biologist/entomologist/soil technician
Humboldt State University Career Advisor to Wildlife Students at Humboldt State University
5:00-5:15PM National Ecological Observatory Network Wildlife biologist/entomologist/soil technician WRA Environmental Consultants, Inc. Research, wetland ecology, academia, agency, consulting
5:15-5:30PM GEI Consultants, Inc. General consulting GEI Consultants, Inc. Forest ecology, Agroforestry, Consulting
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 27 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 28 February 4-8, 2019
KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND DIALOGUE
Adapt or Die: Changes in who we serve and who we are Dr. Jennifer Malpass, Bird Banding Lab Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
● Wednesday: 10:00am to Noon ● Salons 4 & 5 Stakeholders in wildlife conservation have shifted considerably in the 21st century, for those who use or rely on natural resources, and also among those seeking wildlife careers. Over half of the population is living in urban areas for the first time in history. Declining participation in hunting threatens established funding sources for wildlife conservation, and non-consumptive users are more prominent as both stakeholders and wildlife professionals. The diversity of experiences and motivations of millennial wildlifers are essential in this era of unprecedented challenges for wildlife conservation. Our keynote provides a look at modern challenges, while asking the question “can we adapt?” Or should we consider facing the reality of what staying the same might mean in a world of change.
Dr. Jennifer Malpass is a Bird Banding Lab Biologist at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Originally from Chicago, she worked on wildlife research projects across the US, South Africa and Thailand before earning her Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Jenn is passionate about connecting all people to nature to increase capacity for wildlife conservation. She is an Associate Wildlife Biologist© and has been a TWS member since 2011.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 29 February 4-8, 2019
MEETING SCHEDULES Monday, February 4 1:00pm to 6:00pm Western Section Executive Board Meeting and Dinner (Boardroom)
1:00pm to 6:00pm Mohave Ground Squirrel Working Group (Salon 3)
Tuesday, February 5 8:00am to 11:45am Mohave Ground Squirrel Working Group continues (Salon 3)
8:30am to 2:30pm Western Section Executive Board Leadership Training (Boardroom)
1:00pm to 4:00pm Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Working Group (Salon 2)
3:00pm to 4:30pm Chapter Leaders Meeting, Professional and Student Chapters (Boardroom)
4:30pm to 6:00pm U.S. Forest Service Biologists and Researchers Reception (Embers Restaurant)
5:30pm to 6:30pm CDFW Science Institute Staff Training (Salon 5)
Wednesday, February 6 8:00am to 10:00am California Fisher Working Group (Salon 3)
10:00am to 12:20pm Sierra Nevada Red Fox Working Group (Boardroom)
12:30pm to 1:30pm TWS-WS Retirees’ Meeting (Boardroom)
3:00pm to 5:30pm Sierra Nevada Red Fox Conservation Advisory Team (Boardroom)
5:30pm to 6:30pm HSU Reunion (Embers Restaurant)
Thursday, February 7 7:30am to 8:30am Western Wildlife Planning Meeting (Boardroom)
12:15pm to 1:30pm TWS Chapter Meetings (students, please attend your local Professional Chapter meeting)
– CA Central Coast (Salon 2)
– Hawaii (Lobby)
– Nevada (Salon 1)
– North Coast (Hospitality Suite)
– Sac-Shasta (Madera)
– SF Bay Area (Salon 3)
– San Joaquin (Embers Restaurant)
– Southern CA (Boardroom)
3:15pm to 4:15pm Member Engagement Committee Meetings (Salons 4 & 5)
– Student Affairs & Diversity Committee
– Awards and Grants Committee
– Conservation Affairs Committee
– Professional Development Committee
– Member Communications Committee
4:30pm to 6:00pm Annual Business Meeting and Members Forum (Salons 4 & 5)
Friday, February 8 8:00am to 5:00pm CA Bat Working Group (Madera Room)
1:00pm to 2:00pm Meeting Planning Committee Wrap-Up (Boardroom)
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 30 February 4-8, 2019
DETAILED SCHEDULE BY DAY AND HOUR M
on
day
8:30am to 5:30pm R Bootcamp* (Salon 5)
1:00pm to 6:00pm Western Section Executive Board Meeting (Board Room)
1:00pm to 6:00pm Fire Ecology & Forest Health in the 21st Century Symposium* (Salon 4)
1:00pm to 6:00pm Mohave Ground Squirrel TAG Meeting (Salon 3)
6:00pm to 8:00pm Dinner – Fire Ecology/Board of Directors (Salons 1 & 2)
8:00pm to 9:00pm Registration Packet Production (Mariposa)
Tu
esd
ay
7:00am to 8:00pm Registration & Office (Mariposa)
8:00am to 11:45am Mohave Ground Squirrel TAG Meeting (Salon 3)
8:30am to 12:30pm Fire Ecology & Forest Health in the 21st Century Symposium* (concludes) (Salon 4)
8:30am to 2:30pm Western Section Executive Board Leadership Training (Board Room)
12:30pm to 1:30pm Luncheon, Board of Directors (Embers Room)
12:30pm to 4:30pm Wildlife Biologist Construction Awareness Training (WildC.A.T)* (Salon 3)
1:00pm to 5:00pm California Department of Fish and Wildlife Research Permitting Overview* (Salon 5)
1:00pm to 3:00pm Marketplace/Exhibit Hall/Raffle-Silent Auction Setup (Forest View Ballroom)
1:00pm to 4:00pm Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher Working Group Meeting (Salon 2)
2:00pm to 4:30pm Coffee and drinks served in Foyer
3:00pm to 4:30pm Chapter Leaders Meeting New Time! (Board Room)
3:00pm to 8:30pm Marketplace/Exhibit Hall/Raffle-Silent Auction (Forest View Ballroom)
4:00pm to 11:00pm No-host bar open in Foyer
4:30pm to 6:00pm U.S. Forest Service Biologists and Researchers, Meet & Greet (Embers Restaurant)
5:00pm to 6:00pm Elevator Speech Training for Students New Time! (Board Room)
5:30pm to 6:30pm CDWF Science Institute – Planning tools to guide wildlife management – CDFW Staff training session, by invite (Salon 5)
6:00pm to 9:00pm Speaker Practice Room (Sign up in the Mariposa Room) (Board Room)
6:30pm Official Meeting Opening
6:30pm to 8:30pm Welcome Reception, Photo Display, Wildlife T-Shirt Contest (Salons 1-4, Grand Terrace) - Fajitas served from 6:30-8pm.
Wed
nes
day
7:30am Breakfast Roundtable Discussion* Starts promptly at 7:30am (Salon 1)
7:30am to 7:00pm Registration & Office (Mariposa)
7:30am to 8:30am Speaker Practice Room (Sign up in the Mariposa Room) (Board Room)
8:00am to 9:30am Birds and their Habitats in the Sierra Nevada (Madera)
8:00am to 10:00am Publishing Papers and Peer Review Workshop (Salon 2)
8:00am to 10:00am California Fisher Working Group Meeting (Salon 3)
9:00am to 7:00pm Marketplace/Exhibit Hall/Raffle-Silent Auction (Forest View Ballroom)
9:00am to 4:30pm Coffee and drinks served in Foyer
9:00am to 9:30am Student Chapter Mentor Program Information Session and Orientation (Boardroom)
10:00am to 12:00pm Résumé Critiques with Kristina Hunt (Madera) Advance signups required: https://twsresumereview.youcanbook.me (Madera)
10:00am to 12:20pm Sierra Nevada Red Fox Working Group (Board Room)
10:00am to 12:00pm Keynote Address & Dialogue — Dr. Jennifer Malpass. Adapt or Die: Changes in who we serve and who we are (Salon 4 & 5).
12:00pm Lunch break (Box Lunches distributed on Grand Terrace Outside)
12:30pm to 1:30pm Retirees Meeting (Board Room)
12:30pm to 1:30pm How *Not* to Give a Scientific Presentation Workshop (Madera)
1:00pm to 5:30pm
Scientific Concurrent Sessions (Salon 2/Salon 3/Salon 4/Salon 5) – The Anthropocene: Decline & Extinction I & II – Ecology and Conservation of Birds I & II – Ecology and Conservation of Mammals I & II – Wildlife Techniques and Technologies - Wildlife Professionals: Consultant Case Studies
1:30pm to 2:30pm Speaker Practice Room (Sign up in the Mariposa Room) (Board Room)
2:00pm to 4:00pm Poster Setup Hours (Salon 1)
2:30pm to 3:30pm Job Interview Skills Workshop (Madera)
3:00pm to 5:30pm Sierra Nevada Red Fox Conservation Advisory Team (Boardroom)
3:05pm to 3:30pm Afternoon Break with drinks and light snacks served in Foyer
4:00pm to 7:00pm Poster Viewing and Judging (Salon 1)
4:00pm to 6:00pm Résumé Workshop: A Beginner’s Guide: The Basics of a Résumé, C.V., and Interview Skills (Madera)
5:00pm to 11:00pm No-Host bar open in Foyer
5:30pm to 6:30pm HSU Reunion (Embers Restaurant)
6:00pm to 7:00pm Student Mixer – An opportunity for all students to come together in a relaxed environment to meet, network and share experiences. (Salon 1)
6:00pm to 9:00pm Speaker Practice Room (Sign up in the Mariposa Room) (Board Room)
7:00pm to 10:00pm Annual Members Banquet, Awards Ceremony, and Bucket Raffle* (Salons 2-5). Seating available at 8pm for those who would like to attend the awards program portion of the evening only.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 31 February 4-8, 2019
DETAILED SCHEDULE BY DAY AND HOUR T
hu
rsd
ay
7:00am to 8:00am Breakfast Social* (Embers Restaurant)
7:30am to 8:00pm Registration & Office (Mariposa)
7:30am to 4:00pm Coffee & drinks served in Foyer
7:30am to 8:30am Western Wildlife Planning Meeting (Board Room)
8:00am to 9:00pm Marketplace/Exhibit Hall/Raffle-Silent Auction (Forest View Ballroom)
8:00am to 8:00pm Poster Viewing and Judging (Salon 1)
8:00am to 12:10pm
Scientific Concurrent Sessions (Salon 2/Salon 3/Salon 4/Salon 5) – The Anthropocene: Pathogens & Invasive Species – Ecology and Conservation of Birds III – Ecology and Conservation of Bats I & II – Yosemite Restoration I & II – The Anthropocene: Speciation & Hybridization – Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles I
8:30am to 12:00pm Speaker Practice Room (Sign up in the Mariposa Room) (Board Room)
10:00am to 12:00pm Resumé Workshop: Advanced Résumé, C.V., and Interview Skills (Madera)
10:05am to 10:30am Morning Break, Coffee and drinks served in Foyer
12:00pm Lunch break (Box Lunches distributed on Grand Terrace Outside)
12:15pm to 1:30pm
Chapter Meetings New Time! – Central Coast Chapter – Salon 2 – Hawaii Chapter – Lobby – Nevada Chapter – Salon 1 – North Coast Chapter – Hospitality Suite – Sac-Shasta Chapter – Madera – San Joaquin Chapter – Embers Restaurant – SF Bay Area Chapter – Salon 3 – Southern CA Chapter – Boardroom
1:30pm to 3:00pm Plenary Session: Death and Taxas: Extinction and Speciation During the Anthropocene (Salons 4-5)
1:30pm to 8:00pm Speaker Practice Room (Sign up in the Mariposa Room) (Board Room)
2:00pm to 4:00pm Résumé Critiques with Kristina Hunt (Madera) Advance signups required: https://twsresumereview.youcanbook.me (Madera)
3:00pm to 3:15pm Afternoon break with drinks and light snacks served in Salons 4-5
3:15pm to 4:15pm
Member Engagement Committee Meetings (Salons 4-5) – Student Affairs and Diversity Committee – Awards and Grants Committee – Conservation Affairs Committee – Professional Development Committee – Member Communications Committee
4:00pm to 11pm No-host bar open in foyer
4:30pm to 6:00pm Annual Business Meeting and Members Forum (Salons 4-5)
6:30pm Silent Auction Closes New Time! (Forestview)
7:00pm to 9:00pm Poster Reception (Salons 1-5) Chili bar and veggies served from 7-8:30pm in Salons 1-5
Fri
day
7:00am to 8:00am Breakfast Social* (Embers Restaurant)
7:30am to 1:00pm Registration & Office (Mariposa)
7:30am to 11:00am Coffee & drinks served in Foyer
7:30am to 11:00am Speaker Practice Room (Sign up in the Mariposa Room) (Board Room)
8:00am to 12:30pm
Scientific Concurrent Sessions (Salon 2/Salon 3/Salon 4/Salon 5) – The Anthropocene: Recovery & Re-Wilding – Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles II & III – Ecology and Conservation of Mammals III & IV – Wildlife Professionals: Agency Coordination & Collaboration – Wildfire and Wildlife – Ecology and Conservation of Martens and Fishers
8:00am to 11:00am Marketplace/Exhibit Hall/Coffee (Forest View Ballroom)
8:00am to 11:00am California Department of Fish and Wildlife: How to Get Temporary and Permanent Jobs in Wildlife Conservation (Forest View Ballroom)
9:00am to 11:00am Wildlife Career Symposium for Students (Salon 1)
8:00am to 5:00pm CA Bat Working Group Meeting (Madera)
10:05am to 10:30am Morning break. Coffee and drinks served in Foyer
11:15am to 12:15pm Job Interview Panel (Salon 1)
1:00pm to 2:00pm Meeting Planning Committee Wrap-Up (Board Room)
1:00pm to 4:00pm Yosemite Workshop & Field Trip Case Studies in Species Restorations at Yosemite
*Requires Separate Registration & Extra Fee
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 32 February 4-8, 2019
CONCURRENT SESSION GRID DISPLAY WEDNESDAY
Room Salon 2 Salon 3 Salon 4 Salon 5
The Anthropocene: Decline &
Extinction I Chair: Stacy Anderson, CDFW
Ecology and Conservation of Birds I
Chair: Rick Williams, PG&E
Ecology and Conservation of Mammals I
Chair: Kelley Stewart, UNR
Wildlife Techniques and Technologies
Chair: Natasha Dvorak, Swaim Biological
Wednesday 1:05 PM
The demise of "California's" blackbirds: an historical
perspective. Edward Beedy
Determining prevalence and diversity of avian pox in California
hummingbirds. Hanna Baek
Student Paper
Impact of mountain lion predation on pronghorn
populations in northeastern California: are lions using a changing landscape against
novel prey? David Garcelon
An improved camera trap for amphibians, reptiles, small
mammals, and large invertebrates.
Michael Hobbs
Wednesday 1:25 PM
Life on the edge - the American pika in Bodie, California: a 65 year case study of genetic erosion in a
species of special concern. Kelly Klingler
Investigating relative disturbance risk to seabirds and pinnipeds in
northern California. Claire Nasr
Student Paper
Anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in California mountain
lions (Puma concolor). Deana Clifford
Camera trap monitoring of culvert usage under Vasco Road with emphasis on California red-legged frogs and California tiger
salamanders. Travis McCleary
Wednesday 1:45 PM
Assessing methods for censusing island spotted skunks on the California Channel Islands.
Ellie Bolas Student Paper
Integrating nest site selection and survival consequences for greater sage-grouse in the Anthropocene.
Shawn O'Neil
Modeling wildlife movement behavior to identify mitigation locations along linear barriers.
Eric Abelson
Estimating home ranges using different currencies and animals'
perception about their environments. Roger Powell
Wednesday 2:05 PM
Sampling across twenty years reveals loss of diversity and genetic connectivity in the Coachella Valley
fringe-toed lizard linked to fragmentation and drought.
Amy Vandergast
Linking micro and macro-scale habitat factors to vital rates of
declining ring-necked pheasants in the Central Valley of California.
Ian Dwight
What do migrants do differently? Identifying habitat for partially
migratory populations. Derek Spitz
Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE) version 3: biodiversity,
significant habitats, connectivity, and predicted climate resilience
maps for California. Melanie Gogol-Prokurat
Wednesday 2:25 PM
Effects of future land use changes on tricolored blackbird habitat in
the foothill grassland region of the Sierra Nevada. Daniel Airola
Landscape and vegetation features improve restoration success for birds: using the
riparian bird index to evaluate creek restoration in California
rangelands. Kathleen Grady
Fencing and the foraging behavior of a large carnivore -
are mountain lions selecting for an easy lifestyle in California's
wine country? Alexandra Hettena
Student Paper
Rock corrals, a novel and low-tech approach to the successful
relocation of foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) egg
masses. Emily Eppinger and Sara
Viernum
Wednesday 2:45 PM
Extirpation and recolonization of mountain lions in the eastern United States: implications for conservation in the Far West.
Lynn Cullens
Reproductive success of common ravens influences nest predation
rates of their prey: Implications for egg-oiling techniques.
Brianne Brussee
Cannabis land use change and its potential consequences. Phoebe Parker-Shames
Student Paper
California Department of Fish and Wildlife explores utilizing
biological scent detection canines for science.
Helayna Pera
Session Break
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 33 February 4-8, 2019
The Anthropocene: Decline & Extinction II
Chair: Susanne Marczak, ICR-SD Zoo
Ecology and Conservation of Birds II
Chair: Brad Valentine, retired
Ecology and Conservation of Mammals II
Chair: Kelley Stewart, UNR
Wildlife Professionals: Consultant Case Studies
Chair: Linda Leeman, Ascent Environmental
Wednesday 3:30 PM
Tipton kangaroo rats: sliding toward extinction before our very eyes?
Brian Cypher
Riparian birds and bats rely on food chains that begin in rivers.
Breeanne Jackson
Tule elk habitat selection in the Carrizo Plains region.
Adam Mohr Student Paper
A different way to assess wildlife connectivity.
John Ko
Wednesday 3:50 PM
The bear necessities: ecological effects of the world's largest
terrestrial omnivore, Ursus arctos. Sean Denny
Student Paper
GIS tools to predict nesting habitat suitability of
woodpeckers and bat occupancy for post-fire planning
in the Sierra Nevada. Brent Campos
Layered landscapes of fear: black-tailed deer navigate spatiotemporal variation in risk from hunters and
carnivores. Kaitlyn Gaynor Student Paper
Non-invasive survey methods for detecting the endangered
Buena Vista Lake Shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus).
Larry Saslaw
Wednesday 4:10 PM
San Joaquin kit fox demographic and ecological attributes in the
Carrizo Plain Core Area highlight local and range-wide variation.
Tory Westall
Predictive traits indicate avian response to anthropogenic
nightlight and noise. Ashley Wilson Student Paper
The strong correlation between declining California deer harvests
and declining timber removed. G. Kent Webb
California tiger salamanders, exclusion fencing and high-
speed rail construction - a case study.
Marcus Jones
Wednesday 4:30 PM
Predators, genetics, and climate change: prioritizing conservation actions for endangered Hawaiian
tree snails. Melissa Price
California's rangelands matter for birds.
Mel Preston
Predictive model-guided fecal pellet sampling for density estimation and genetic characterization of tule elk in Colusa and Lake Counties, CA.
Tom Batter Student Paper
Impacts of transient human communities on wildlife and
habitat, and biological field staff monitoring practices and safety.
Devin Barry
Wednesday 4:50 PM
Assessing effectiveness of management actions for the Bi-
State Distinct Population Segment of greater sage-grouse.
Mark Ricca
White-headed woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus) nesting
habitat selection: are they making good choices?
Kathryn Purcell
Behavioral plasticity in a short distance mule deer migration. To go
or not to go? Jerrod Merrell
Nesting behavior of birds studied over two years during
major levee improvement construction.
Brook Constantz
Wednesday 5:10 PM
Last chance to save, the rush to conserve Hawai'i's iconic land
snail fauna. David Sischo
The effects of noise and light pollution on bird and bat
diversity. Jennifer Phillips
Combining participatory mapping with fine-scale spatial data to understand livestock-predator
conflict at multiple scales. Alex McInturff Student Paper
Opportunities and challenges in restoring habitat occupied by
sensitive species. Charles Holland
When entering or exiting rooms during sessions, please be careful to open and close doors quietly.
Please do not congregate and converse in the hallway in the immediate area of a door, as your conversation may disturb ongoing sessions.
SESSION ABSTRACTS ELECTRONIC ACCESS INFORMATION
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To conserve paper and reduce energy consumption, abstracts for concurrent and poster sessions are provided electronically.
Abstracts are available to view, download or print via the Western Section Annual Meeting website: www.tws-west/tenayalodge2019/
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 34 February 4-8, 2019
CONCURRENT SESSION GRID DISPLAY THURSDAY
Room Salon 2 Salon 3 Salon 4 Salon 5
The Anthropocene: Pathogens
& Invasive Species Chair: Karen Converse, CDFW
Ecology and Conservation of Birds III
Chair: Dan Airola, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
Ecology and Conservation of Bats I
Chair: Scott Osborn, CDFW
Yosemite Restoration I Chair: Rachel Mazur, Yosemite
NPS
Thursday 8:05 AM
Modeling scenarios for the management of axis deer (Axis
axis) in Hawaii. Steven Hess
Occupancy models and stable isotope analyses indicate potential compatibility of California spotted owl conservation and private land
management. Brendan Hobart Student Paper
Island area and diet breadth explain the diversity and
distributions of bats among the San Juan Islands.
Rochelle Kelly Student Paper
A multi-scale approach to restoring an aquatic reptile.
Laura Van Vranken
Thursday 8:25 AM
Invasive plant Arundo donax reduces mammalian predator use of habitat in a southern California
riparian system. Molly Hardesty-Moore
Student Paper
Sticktight fleas take hold in a Southern California burrowing owl
population: implications for artificial burrow design and
management. Susanne Marczak
Effectiveness of abandoned mine reclamation for the conservation
of bats. Rick Sherwin
Conservation efforts for the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) in Yosemite National
Park. Robert Grasso
Thursday 8:45 AM
Eradication of invasive rats alters aboveground carbon storage on a
tropical island. Ana Miller-ter Kuile
Student Paper
Quantifying relationship between habitat and prey removal of
nesting barn owls in Napa Valley vineyards.
Dane St. George Student Paper
Roost selection in a hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) migratory stopover location in northern
California. Skye Salganek Student Paper
In-situ detection of the invasive amphibian chytrid fungus: field DNA extraction and analysis
using a handheld thermocycler. Colleen Kamoroff
Thursday 9:05 AM
Risk, spread, and control of Fusarium dieback - shot hole borers in southern California.
Shannon Lynch Student Paper
Broad-scale monitoring for broad-scale challenges: bioacoustics and the California spotted owl.
Connor Wood Student Paper
Bats in the megafire: how high intensity wildfire is shaping nocturnal
food webs in the western Sierras. Haley Mirts
Student Paper
Restoration efforts for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana
sierrae) in Yosemite National Park.
Robert Grasso
Thursday 9:25 AM
Predictability of invasive Argentine ant distribution across
Mediterranean ecoregions of California.
Tritia Matsuda
Space use, forays, and habitat selection by California spotted owls
(Strix occidentalis occidentalis) during the breeding season: new
insights from high resolute. Rachel Blakey
Collaborative acoustic monitoring can provide efficient multiple-species monitoring of bats in
California. Theodore Weller
Returning endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep to Yosemite's wilderness.
Tom Stephenson
Thursday 9:45 AM
Efforts to eradicate invasive nutria from California. Valerie Cook
Assessing mitigation relocation strategies for burrowing owls in
Southern California. Colleen Wisinski
Elucidating patterns of bat species occupancy across a disturbed
landscape in California's Central Valley.
Trinity Smith Student Paper
The San Francisco Zoo and Garden's role in conserving rare
species in Yosemite National Park. Jessie Bushell
Session Break
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 35 February 4-8, 2019
The Anthropocene: Speciation
& Hybridization Chair: Karen Converse, CDFW
Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles I Chair: Dave Cook, SCWA
Ecology and Conservation of Bats II
Chair: Scott Osborn, CDFW
Yosemite Restoration II Chair: Rachel Mazur, Yosemite
NPS
Thursday 10:30 AM
Phylogeographic assessment of the Heermann's kangaroo rat
(Dipodomys heermanni). Bridgett Downs Student Paper
A new road crossing structure for small animals: case study with the
Yosemite toad. Cheryl Brehme
The use of scent dogs demonstrates spatial fatality
patterns at a California wind farm. Dave Johnston
Human-bear management at Yosemite National Park: finally, a
story of success. Caitlin Lee-Roney
Thursday 10:50 AM
Color patterns and zones of intergradation in the Alameda
whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus) and chaparral whipsnake (M. l. lateralis).
Eric Britt
Bullfrog control (Lithobates catesbeianus) as a means to
enhance arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) and western pond turtle (Emys marmorata pallida)
population. Denise Clark
Managing farmlands to conserve bats.
Elissa Olimpi
Managing climbing access to avoid disturbance to nesting
peregrine falcons in Yosemite National Park.
Crystal Barnes
Thursday 11:10 AM
Contractions and expansions: investigating the trajectory of the
Sierra Nevada red fox and its associates. Cate Quinn
Rattlesnake coloration affects detection by predators.
Mallory Harmel Student Paper
Impacts of trout introduction on bat activity at high-elevation lakes
in the Sierra Nevada. Mary Clapp
Student Paper
Raccoons in Yosemite: Endangered species and trash for
dinner while lions are at the table?!
Katie Patrick
Thursday 11:30 AM
Does natural selection affect gene flow between nonnative and native red fox populations?
Sophie Preckler-Quisquater Student Paper
Canine scent detection surveys as an effective tool to identify
California tiger salamanders in upland habitat in eastern Alameda
County. Jerry Roe
Assessment of the status of the Townsend's big-eared bat in
California. Leila Harris
Student Paper
Big wall bats. Breeanne Jackson
Thursday 11:50 AM
Identifying genome-informed management units for an
endangered species in California's San Joaquin Desert. Michael Westphal
Demography of the salt marsh harvest mice and associated rodents in tidal and managed
wetlands Katie Smith
Long-term banding of California leaf-nosed bats along the lower
Colorado River to determine movements and longevity.
Patricia Brown
A technology boost to Yosemite wildlife management.
Ryan Leahy
When entering or exiting rooms during sessions, please be careful to open and close doors quietly.
Please do not congregate and converse in the hallway in the immediate area of a door, as your conversation may disturb ongoing sessions.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 36 February 4-8, 2019
CONCURRENT SESSION GRID DISPLAY FRIDAY
Room Salon 2 Salon 3 Salon 4 Salon 5
The Anthropocene: Recovery &
Re-Wilding Chair: Ryan Baumbusch, OSU
Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles II Chair: Dave Cook, SCWA
Ecology and Conservation of Mammals III
Chair: Natasha Dvorak, Swaim Biological
Wildlife Professionals: Agency Coordination & Collaboration
Chair: Rhys Evans, Vandenberg AFB
Friday 8:05 AM
Quantifying benefits of a plug and pond meadow restoration in
Mariposa County, CA - status and preliminary monitoring results.
Melissa Odell
Using dynamic occupancy and state space models to identify
trends in a population of California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii).
Matthew Sharp Chaney
Competitive interactions between desert kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis
arsipus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) in the Mojave Desert.
Erica Kelly
Collaboration: crucial to mitigating conflict with mountain lions.
Korinna Domingo
Friday 8:25 AM
Northern elephant seals: a tale of imminent extinction and assisted
recovery over 50 years. Ben Becker
Thermal ecology of the federally endangered blunt-nosed leopard
lizard (Gambelia sila). Kat Ivey
Student Paper
Parasite safari: using citizen science to understand herbivore parasite exposure risk at East
African watering holes. Georgia Titcomb
Student Paper
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Science
Institute - supporting collaborative science for action. Christina Sloop
Friday 8:45 AM
Ecological recovery from catastrophic historic disturbance in the Sierra Nevada: implications for contemporary land management
challenges. Daniel Shaw
Canopy effects on early stage vital rates for northern red-legged frogs and potential Impacts to population
growth rates. Kelcy McHarry
Impact of urban-suburban landscape conversion on canid species presence in the Sierra
Nevada Foothills. Amanda Coen Student Paper
Supporting integration of climate adaptation strategies into CDFW
wildlife and land management practices.
Whitney Albright
Friday 9:05 AM
Buena Vista Lake shrews: on the brink of extinction but highly
recoverable. Brian Cypher
Effects of temperature and hydroperiod on northern red-legged
frog. Lindsey Gordon Student Paper
Relationship between amount of suitable habitat and land status and genetics in a wide-ranging
large carnivore Justin Dellinger
Agenda-driven science: recognizing and avoiding the
pitfalls. R. Gutiérrez
Friday 9:25 AM
Results of 20 years of condor recovery on California's Central
Coast. Joe Burnett
From poop to scoop: a novel method to survey blunt nosed leopard lizard and sympatric lizards using genetics and noninvasive fecal samples.
Mark Statham
Outfoxed no more: Sierra Nevada red fox captures reveal new insights into habitat use and
reproduction. Jennifer Carlson
Creating collaborative landscape conservation opportunities through
regulatory framework - SB34 Advanced Mitigation Land
Acquisition Grants Program. Cody Hanford
Friday 9:45 AM
The reintroduction gap: could the California grizzly ever be
reintroduced? Elizabeth Forbes
Student Paper
Conservation of an endemic reptile: creation and potential applications of
a rangewide habitat model for the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma
mcallii). Patricia Valcarcel
"Going to California" (a Led Zeppelin song about wolf
dispersal?). California wolf management update.
Kent Laudon
California Biodiversity Council: 28 years of interagency coordination
and collaboration. Don Yasuda
Session Break
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 37 February 4-8, 2019
Wildfire and Wildlife
Chair: Amanda Culpepper, CDFW
Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles III Chair: Dave Cook, SCWA
Ecology and Conservation of Mammals IV
Chair: Natasha Dvorak, Swaim Biological
Ecology and Conservation of Martens and Fishers
Chair: Kathryn Purcell, USFS
Friday 10:30 AM
Patterns of woodboring beetle activity following recent fires and bark-beetle outbreaks in montane
forests of California. Robert (Bob) Wilkerson
Effects of vernal pool hydroperiod on larval occupancy of threatened California tiger salamanders in the
Central Valley. Eric Hansen
Temporal and spatial density estimates of pygmy rabbit
populations across the Great Basin.
Miranda Crowell Student Paper
Multi-species carnivore monitoring: investigating statistical power to
detect marten and fisher population declines using spatially-
explicit simulations. Jody Tucker and Katie M.
Moriarty
Friday 10:50 AM
Impact of wildfires on barn owl (Tyto alba) habitat selection in a vineyard agroecosystem in Napa
Valley. Allison Huysman
Student Paper
Eat, prey, live: thermal ecology and energy requirements of
coastal and inland populations of Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus
oreganus). Hayley Crowell Student Paper
Stand occupancy by fisher and tree squirrels in northern
California: investigating the influence of masting hardwoods.
Andria Townsend Student Paper
Movement characteristics explain energetic expenditures of a cryptic
carnivore, the Pacific marten. Marie Martin
Student Paper
Friday 11:10 AM
Effects of forest fire and drought-induced tree mortality on habitat selection by California spotted
owls in Yosemite National Park. Lynn Schofield
A comparative study of home range and movement patterns of
coastal and inland Pacific rattlesnakes.
Sebastian Gonzales Student Paper
Evaluation of range-wide occupancy and survey methods for the giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys
ingens). Alyssa Semerdjian
Student Paper
Estimating energy expenditure and total body water content of fishers in California with doubly labeled
water. Aaron Facka
Friday 11:30 AM
Short-term resilience of great gray owls to a megafire in California,
USA. Stephanie Eyes
Development of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay and environmental DNA sampling methods for giant gartersnakes
(Thamnophis gigas). Gregory Schumer
Hawaiian hoary bat occupancy and distribution on O'ahu - a 1st year
analysis. Joel Thompson
Dietary overlap of fishers and Pacific martens in response to tree mortality in Sierra Nevada forests.
G. Brad Smith Student Paper
Friday 11:50 AM
Habitat selection by northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in a
fire-prone forest in the Sierra Nevada, California. Colin Dillingham
Spatial and temporal patterns of giant gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas) decline and extinction in
California's Central Valley: prioritizing recovery in a state.
Eric Hansen
Range-wide occupancy analysis of Mohave ground squirrels.
Erica Orcutt Student Paper
The influence of forest conditions on the survival and reproduction of
female fishers. Sean Matthews
Friday 12:10 PM
Factors influencing effectiveness of fuel breaks for containing rangeland wildfires within the
Great Basin. Cali Roth
Modeling monarchs: predicting the overwintering distributions of monarch butterflies in Santa
Barbara County with a climatic niche model.
Ashley Fisher
Small mammal distributions across vegetation islands.
Juliana Trunzo
An assessment of habitat used by reproductive female fishers
(Pekania pennanti) in the southern Sierra Nevada.
Rebecca Green
When entering or exiting rooms during sessions, please be careful to open and close doors quietly. Please do not congregate and converse in the hallway in the immediate area of a door, as your conversation may disturb ongoing sessions.
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The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 38 February 4-8, 2019
Contributed Papers
Session # 1
The Anthropocene: Decline & Extinction I Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Salon 2 Chair: Stacy Anderson, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife
1:05 - 1:25 pm The demise of "California's" blackbirds: an historical perspective. Edward C. Beedy
1:25 - 1:45 pm Life on the edge - the American pika in Bodie, California: a 65 year case study of genetic erosion in a species of special concern. Kelly B. Klingler, Lyle B. Nichols, Mary M. Peacock
1:45 - 2:05 pm Assessing methods for censusing island spotted skunks on the California Channel Islands. Ellie Bolas, Kevin Crooks, Rahel Sollmann, Paula Power, Christina Boser, Erin Boydston, Victoria Bakker, Adam Dillon, Dirk Van Vuren Student Paper
2:05 - 2:25 pm Sampling across twenty years reveals loss of diversity and genetic connectivity in the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard linked to fragmentation and drought. Amy G. Vandergast, Dustin A. Wood, Mark Fisher, Cameron W. Barrows, Andrew R. Thompson
2:25 - 2:45 pm Effects of future land use changes on tricolored blackbird habitat in the foothill grassland region of the Sierra Nevada. Daniel A. Airola, Tara Collins, Chris McColl, Michael Lozano, Deren Ross
2:45 - 3:05 pm Extirpation and recolonization of mountain lions in the eastern United States: implications for conservation in the Far West. Lynn M. Cullens, Robert B. Wielgus, Jay Tischendorf, David Furedy, Rachel A. Masoud
Contributed Papers
Session # 2
Ecology and Conservation of Birds I Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Salon 3 Chair: Rick Williams, P G & E
1:05 - 1:25 pm Determining prevalence and diversity of avian pox in California hummingbirds. Hanna E. Baek, Lisa A. Tell, Ravinder Sehgal Student Paper
1:25 - 1:45 pm Investigating relative disturbance risk to seabirds and pinnipeds in northern California. Claire Nasr, Daniel C. Barton, Shannon Brinkman Student Paper
1:45 - 2:05 pm Integrating nest site selection and survival consequences for greater sage-grouse in the Anthropocene. Shawn T. O'Neil, Peter S. Coates, Brianne E. Brussee, Mark A. Ricca, Shawn P. Espinosa, David J. Delehanty
2:05 - 2:25 pm Linking micro and macro-scale habitat factors to vital rates of declining ring-necked pheasants in the Central Valley of California. Ian A. Dwight, Peter S. Coates, Jessica H. Vogt, Joseph P. Fleskes, Daniel P. Connelly, Scott C. Gardner
2:25 - 2:45 pm Landscape and vegetation features improve restoration success for birds: using the riparian bird index to evaluate creek restoration in California rangelands. Kathleen E. Grady, Derek J. Girman, Tom A. Gardali
2:45 - 3:05 pm Reproductive success of common ravens influences nest predation rates of their prey: Implications for egg-oiling techniques. Brianne E. Brussee, Peter S. Coates
Contributed Papers
Session # 3
Ecology and Conservation of Mammals I Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Salon 4 Chair: Kelley Stewart, Univ. Nevada Reno
1:05 - 1:25 pm Impact of mountain lion predation on pronghorn populations in northeastern California: are lions using a changing landscape against novel prey? David K. Garcelon, Brian R. Hudgens, Jonathan D. Ewanyk, Matthew P. Brinkman
1:25 - 1:45 pm Anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in California mountain lions (Puma concolor). Jaime L. Rudd, Stella C. McMillin, Mark W. Kenyon Jr., Robert H. Poppenga, Deana L. Clifford
1:45 - 2:05 pm Modeling wildlife movement behavior to identify mitigation locations along linear barriers. Eric S. Abelson, Samuel A. Cushman
2:05 - 2:25 pm What do migrants do differently? Identifying habitat for partially migratory populations. Derek B. Spitz, Mark Hebblewhite, Thomas R. Stephenson
2:25 - 2:45 pm Fencing and the foraging behavior of a large carnivore - are mountain lions selecting for an easy lifestyle in California's wine country? Alexandra Hettena, Quinton Martins Student Paper
2:45 - 3:05 pm Cannabis land use change and its potential consequences. Phoebe Parker-Shames, Van Butsic, Justin Brashares Student Paper
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 39 February 4-8, 2019
Contributed Papers
Session # 4
Wildlife Techniques and Technologies Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Salon 5 Chair: Natasha Dvorak, Swaim Biological, Inc.
1:05 - 1:25 pm An improved camera trap for amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and large invertebrates. Michael T. Hobbs, Cheryl S. Brehme
1:25 - 1:45 pm Camera trap monitoring of culvert usage under Vasco Road with emphasis on California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders. Travis WC McCleary, Jerry Roe
1:45 - 2:05 pm Estimating home ranges using different currencies and animals' perception about their environments. Roger A. Powell, Shannon Barber-Meyer, Christopher S. DePerno, Aaron N. Facka, Thomas Gable, Nocholas P. Gould, Susan A. Mansfield, L. David Mech, Lynn L. Rogers, Stephen Windels
2:05 - 2:25 pm Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE) version 3: biodiversity, significant habitats, connectivity, and predicted climate resilience maps for California. Melanie Gogol-Prokurat
2:25 - 2:45 pm Rock corrals, a novel and low-tech approach to the successful relocation of foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) egg masses. Emily C. Eppinger, Sara Viernum, Bernadette Bezy
2:45 - 3:05 pm California Department of Fish and Wildlife explores utilizing biological scent detection canines for science. Helayna Pera, Harvest Vieira, Sandra Jacks, Virginia O'Rourke, Jodi Berg, Jennifer Calrson, Lynette Shimek
Contributed Papers
Session # 5
The Anthropocene: Decline & Extinction II Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 3:25 pm - 5:10 pm
Salon 2 Chair: Susanne Marczak, Institute for Conservation Research - SD Zoo
3:30 - 3:50 pm Tipton kangaroo rats: sliding toward extinction before our very eyes? Brian L. Cypher, Scott Phillips, Tory Westall, Erin Tennant, Larry Saslaw, Erica Kelly, Christine Van Horn Job
3:50 - 4:10 pm The bear necessities: ecological effects of the world's largest terrestrial omnivore, Ursus arctos. Sean M. Denny, Molly Hardesty-Moore, Alexis M. Mychajliw, Ian M. McCullough, Scott D. Cooper, William J. Ripple, Thomas M. Newsome, Peter S. Alagona Student Paper
4:10 - 4:30 pm San Joaquin kit fox demographic and ecological attributes in the Carrizo Plain Core Area highlight local and range-wide variation. Tory L. Westall, Brian Cypher, Erica Kelly, Christine Van Horn Job, Larry Saslaw, Abigail Gwinn
4:30 - 4:50 pm Predators, genetics, and climate change: prioritizing conservation actions for endangered Hawaiian tree snails. Melissa Price, Zac Forsman, Robert J. Toonen, David Sischo, Philip Kitamura, Ingrid Knapp, Michael G. Hadfield
4:50 - 5:10 pm Assessing effectiveness of management actions for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of greater sage-grouse. Mark A. Ricca, Peter S. Coates, Steven R Mathews, Brian G. Prochazka, Mary B. Meyerpeter, Steve Abele, Shawn P. Espinosa, Scott C. Gardner, Sheri L. Lisius, David J. Delehanty
5:10 - 5:30 pm Last chance to save, the rush to conserve Hawai'i's iconic land snail fauna. David R. Sischo
Contributed Papers
Session # 6
Ecology and Conservation of Birds II Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 3:25 pm - 5:10 pm
Salon 3 Chair: Brad Valentine, retired
3:30 - 3:50 pm Riparian birds and bats rely on food chains that begin in rivers. Breeanne K. Jackson, Sarah L. Stock, Leila S. Harris, Joseph M. Szewczak, Lynn N. Schofield, Michelle A. Desrosiers
3:50 - 4:10 pm GIS tools to predict nesting habitat suitability of woodpeckers and bat occupancy for post-fire planning in the Sierra Nevada. Brent R. Campos, Quresh S. Latif, Zachary L. Steel, Ryan D. Burnett, Victoria A. Saab
4:10 - 4:30 pm Predictive traits indicate avian response to anthropogenic nightlight and noise. Ashley A. Wilson, Neil H. Carter, Jesse R. Barber, Eliot Miller, Clinton D. Francis Student Paper
4:30 - 4:50 pm California's rangelands matter for birds. Mel Preston, Ryan DiGaudio, Hilary Allen, Bonnie Eyestone, Libby Porzig
4:50 - 5:10 pm White-headed woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus) nesting habitat selection: are they making good choices? Kathryn L. Purcell, Eric McGregor, Jim Baldwin
5:10 - 5:30 pm The effects of noise and light pollution on bird and bat diversity. Jennifer Phillips, Helen Payne, Waverly Davis, Clinton Francis
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 40 February 4-8, 2019
Contributed Papers
Session # 7
Ecology and Conservation of Mammals II Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 3:25 pm - 5:10 pm
Salon 4 Chair: Kelley Stewart, Univ. Nevada Reno
3:30 - 3:50 pm Tule elk habitat selection in the Carrizo Plains region. Adam S. Mohr, W. Tim Bean Student Paper
3:50 - 4:10 pm Layered landscapes of fear: black-tailed deer navigate spatiotemporal variation in risk from hunters and carnivores. Kaitlyn M Gaynor, Alex McInturff, Justin S. Brashares Student Paper
4:10 - 4:30 pm The strong correlation between declining California deer harvests and declining timber removed. G. Kent Webb
4:30 - 4:50 pm Predictive model-guided fecal pellet sampling for density estimation and genetic characterization of tule elk in Colusa and Lake Counties, CA. Tom Batter, Josh Bush, Ben Sacks Student Paper
4:50 - 5:10 pm Behavioral plasticity in a short distance mule deer migration. To go or not to go? Jerrod L. Merrell, Kelley M. Stewart, Shelly D. Blair
5:10 - 5:30 pm Combining participatory mapping with fine-scale spatial data to understand livestock-predator conflict at multiple scales. Alex McInturff, Jennifer R. B. Miller, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Justin S. Brashares Student Paper
Contributed Papers
Session # 8
Wildlife Professionals: Consultant Case Studies Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 3:25 pm - 5:10 pm
Salon 5 Chair: Linda Leeman, Ascent Environmental
3:30 - 3:50 pm A different way to assess wildlife connectivity. John Ko
3:50 - 4:10 pm Non-invasive survey methods for detecting the endangered Buena Vista Lake Shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus). Erin N. Tennant, Brian Cypher, Larry Saslaw, Tory Westall, Jacklyn Mohay, Erica Kelly, Christine Van Horn Job
4:10 - 4:30 pm California tiger salamanders, exclusion fencing and high-speed rail construction - a case study. Marcus D. Jones, Krista Tomlinson
4:30 - 4:50 pm Impacts of transient human communities on wildlife and habitat, and biological field staff monitoring practices and safety. Devin Barry, Kelly Fitzgerald-Holland, Sarah Norris, Autumn Eberhardt
4:50 - 5:10 pm Nesting behavior of birds studied over two years during major levee improvement construction. Brook M. Constantz, Hannah Dunn
5:10 - 5:30 pm Opportunities and challenges in restoring habitat occupied by sensitive species. Charles H. Holland, Krista Tomlinson
Contributed Papers
Session # 9
The Anthropocene: Pathogens & Invasive Species Thursday, February 7, 2019; 8:00 am - 9:45 am
Salon 2 Chair: Karen Converse, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife
8:05 - 8:25 am Modeling scenarios for the management of axis deer (Axis axis) in Hawaii. Steven C. Hess, Seth W. Judge, Lucas B. Forini
8:25 - 8:45 am Invasive plant Arundo donax reduces mammalian predator use of habitat in a southern California riparian system. Molly Hardesty-Moore, Devyn Orr, Douglas J. McCauley Student Paper
8:45 - 9:05 am Eradication of invasive rats alters aboveground carbon storage on a tropical island. Ana Miller-ter Kuile, Devyn Orr, Maggie Klope, Carina Motta, Rodolfo Dirzo, Hillary S. Young Student Paper
9:05 - 9:25 am Risk, spread, and control of Fusarium dieback - shot hole borers in southern California. Shannon C. Lynch, Akif Eskalen, Gregory S. Gilbert Student Paper
9:25 - 9:45 am Predictability of invasive Argentine ant distribution across Mediterranean ecoregions of California. Jonathan Q. Richmond, Tritia Matsuda, Cheryl S. Brehme, Emily E. Perkins, Robert N. Fisher
9:45 - 10:05 am Efforts to eradicate invasive nutria from California. Valerie K. Cook
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 41 February 4-8, 2019
Contributed Papers
Session # 10
Ecology and Conservation of Birds III Thursday, February 7, 2019; 8:00 am - 9:45 am
Salon 3 Chair: Dan Airola, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
8:05 - 8:25 am Occupancy models and stable isotope analyses indicate potential compatibility of California spotted owl conservation and private land management. Brendan K. Hobart, Kevin N. Roberts, Brian P. Dotters, William J. Berigan, Sheila A. Whitmore, Martin G. Raphael, John J. Keane, R.J. Gutiérrez, M. Zachariah Peery Student Paper
8:25 - 8:45 am Sticktight fleas take hold in a Southern California burrowing owl population: implications for artificial burrow design and management. Susanne A. Marczak, Colleen L. Wisinski, Lisa A. Nordstrom
8:45 - 9:05 am Quantifying relationship between habitat and prey removal of nesting barn owls in Napa Valley vineyards. Dane A. St. George, Matthew D. Johnson Student Paper
9:05 - 9:25 am Broad-scale monitoring for broad-scale challenges: bioacoustics and the California spotted owl. Connor M. Wood, M. Zach Peery Student Paper
9:25 - 9:45 am Space use, forays, and habitat selection by California spotted owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) during the breeding season: new insights from high resolute Rachel V. Blakey, Rodney B. Siegel, Elisabeth B. Webb, Colin P. Dillingham, Rachel L. Bauer, Matthew Johnson, Dylan C. Kelser
9:45 - 10:05 am Assessing mitigation relocation strategies for burrowing owls in Southern California. Colleen L. Wisinski, Sarah M. Hennessy, Noelle A. Ronan, Ronald R. Swaisgood, Christopher J. Gregory, Lisa A. Nordstrom
Contributed Papers
Session # 11
Ecology and Conservation of Bats I Thursday, February 7, 2019; 8:00 am - 9:45 am
Salon 4 Chair: Scott Osborn, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife
8:05 - 8:25 am Island area and diet breadth explain the diversity and distributions of bats among the San Juan Islands. Rochelle M. Kelly, Sharlene E. Santana, Leah J. Rensel Student Paper
8:25 - 8:45 am Effectiveness of abandoned mine reclamation for the conservation of bats. Casey Devine-Rosser, Rick E. Sherwin, Jason Williams, Linda S. DeLay
8:45 - 9:05 am Roost selection in a hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) migratory stopover location in northern California. Skye Salganek, Theodore J. Weller, Joseph M. Szewczak Student Paper
9:05 - 9:25 am Bats in the megafire: how high intensity wildfire is shaping nocturnal food webs in the western Sierras. Haley Mirts, Rahel Sollmann, Angela White, Hillary Young Student Paper
9:25 - 9:45 am Collaborative acoustic monitoring can provide efficient multiple-species monitoring of bats in California. Theodore Weller
9:45 - 10:05 am Elucidating patterns of bat species occupancy across a disturbed landscape in California's Central Valley. Trinity N. Smith Student Paper
Contributed Papers
Session # 12
Yosemite Restoration I Thursday, February 7, 2019; 8:00 am - 9:45 am
Salon 5 Chair: Rachel Mazur, Yosemite NPS
8:05 - 8:25 am A multi-scale approach to restoring an aquatic reptile. Laura N. Van Vranken, Rob L. Grasso, Danielle Edwards
8:25 - 8:45 am Conservation efforts for the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) in Yosemite National Park. Robert L. Grasso, Jessie Bushell, Colleen D. Kamoroff, Rachel Mazur
8:45 - 9:05 am In-situ detection of the invasive amphibian chytrid fungus: field DNA extraction and analysis using a handheld thermocycler. Colleen D. Kamoroff, Rob L. Grasso, Caren S. Goldberg
9:05 - 9:25 am Restoration efforts for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) in Yosemite National Park. Robert L. Grasso, Roland A. Knapp, Colleen D. Kamoroff, Jessie Bushell, Rachel Mazur
9:25 - 9:45 am Returning endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep to Yosemite's wilderness. Tom R. Stephenson, Sarah L. Stock, John D. Wehausen
9:45 - 10:05 am The San Francisco Zoo and Garden's role in conserving rare species in Yosemite National Park. Jessie Bushell, Rob Grasso, Rochelle Stiles, Jarrod Willis
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Contributed Papers
Session # 13
The Anthropocene: Speciation & Hybridization Thursday, February 7, 2019; 10:25 am - 11:50 am
Salon 2 Chair: Karen Converse, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife
10:30 - 10:50 am Phylogeographic assessment of the Heermann's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni). Bridgett B. Downs, Adrian A. Castellanos, Jessica E. Light Student Paper
10:50 - 11:10 am Color patterns and zones of intergradation in the Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus) and chaparral whipsnake (M. l. lateralis). Karen E. Swaim, E. J. Britt, M. Yacelga, R. Stoelting, J.Q. Richmond, C. Swaim
11:10 - 11:30 am Contractions and expansions: investigating the trajectory of the Sierra Nevada red fox and its associates. Cate B. Quinn, Brian E. Hatfield, Gregory A. Green, Sarah Stock, Benjamin N. Sacks
11:30 - 11:50 am Does natural selection affect gene flow between nonnative and native red fox populations? Sophie Preckler-Quisquater, Ben N. Sacks Student Paper
11:50 - 12:10 pm Identifying genome-informed management units for an endangered species in California's San Joaquin Desert. Michael F. Westphal, Jonathan Q. Richmond, Steven Morey, Robert Fisher
Contributed Papers
Session # 14
Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles I Thursday, February 7, 2019; 10:25 am - 11:50 am
Salon 3 Chair: Dave Cook, Sonoma County Water Agency
10:30 - 10:50 am A new road crossing structure for small animals: case study with the Yosemite toad. Cheryl S. Brehme, Stephanie L. Barnes, Robert N. Fisher
10:50 - 11:10 am Bullfrog control (Lithobates catesbeianus) as a means to enhance arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) and western pond turtle (Emys marmorata pallida) population. Denise R. Clark, Christopher W. Brown, Robert N. Fisher
11:10 - 11:30 am Rattlesnake coloration affects detection by predators. Mallory Harmel, Hayley L. Crowell, Emily N. Taylor
11:30 - 11:50 am Canine scent detection surveys as an effective tool to identify California tiger salamanders in upland habitat in eastern Alameda County. Jerry D. Roe, Travis Mccleary
11:50 - 12:10 pm Demography of the salt marsh harvest mice and associated rodents in tidal and managed wetlands. Katie Smith, Laureen-Barthman Thompson, Sarah Estrella, Melissa K. Riley, Sadie Trombley, Candice Rose, Douglas A. Kelt
Contributed Papers
Session # 15
Ecology and Conservation of Bats II Thursday, February 7, 2019; 10:25 am - 11:50 am
Salon 4 Chair: Scott Osborn, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife
10:30 - 10:50 am The use of scent dogs demonstrates spatial fatality patterns at a California wind farm. Dave S. Johnston, Jeff P. Smith, Andrea K. Wuenschel, M. Murrelet Halterman, Michele L. Childs
10:50 - 11:10 am Managing farmlands to conserve bats. Elissa M. Olimpi, Stacy M. Philpott
11:10 - 11:30 am Impacts of trout introduction on bat activity at high-elevation lakes in the Sierra Nevada. Mary K. Clapp, Madison K. Boynton, Leila S. Harris, Gail L. Patricelli Student Paper
11:30 - 11:50 am Assessment of the status of the Townsend's big-eared bat in California. Leila S. Harris, Michael L. Morrison, Joseph M. Szewczak, Scott D. Osborn Student Paper
11:50 - 12:10 pm Long-term banding of California leaf-nosed bats along the lower Colorado River to determine movements and longevity. Patricia Brown, Philip Leitner, Albert Beck, Bruce Miller
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Contributed Papers
Session # 16
Yosemite Restoration II Thursday, February 7, 2019; 10:25 am - 11:50 am
Salon 5 Chair: Rachel Mazur, Yosemite NPS
10:30 - 10:50 am Human-bear management at Yosemite National Park: finally, a story of success. Caitlin J. Lee-Roney, Ryan M. Leahy, Katie M. Patrick, Rachel Mazur
10:50 - 11:10 am Managing climbing access to avoid disturbance to nesting peregrine falcons in Yosemite National Park. Crystal L. Barnes, Sarah L. Stock
11:10 - 11:30 am Raccoons in Yosemite: Endangered species and trash for dinner while lions are at the table?! Katie Patrick, Binta Wold, Esther Kukielka, Caitlin Lee-Roney, Beatrice Lopez, Sean Matthews, David Green, Rachel Mazur
11:30 - 11:50 am Big wall bats. Breeanne K. Jackson, Sarah L. Stock, James B. Miller, Eric Bissell
11:50 - 12:10 pm A technology boost to Yosemite wildlife management. Ryan M. Leahy, Caitlin J. Lee-Roney, Katie M. Patrick, Rachel Mazur
Contributed Papers
Session # 17
The Anthropocene: Recovery & Re-Wilding Friday, February 8, 2019; 8:00 am - 9:45 am
Salon 2 Chair: Ryan Baumbusch, Oregon State University
8:05 - 8:25 am Quantifying benefits of a plug and pond meadow restoration in Mariposa County, CA - status and preliminary monitoring results. Melissa C. Odell, Amy Merrill, Joe R. Medley, Helen Loffland, Billy Freeman
8:25 - 8:45 am Northern elephant seals: a tale of imminent extinction and assisted recovery over 50 years. Sarah G. Allen, Mark Lowry, Richard Condit, Brian Hatfield, Ryan Berger, Patrick Robinson, Sarah Codde, Dawn Goley, Ben Becker
8:45 - 9:05 am Ecological recovery from catastrophic historic disturbance in the Sierra Nevada: implications for contemporary land management challenges. Daniel W. Shaw, Luke J. Zachmann, Brett G. Dickson
9:05 - 9:25 am Buena Vista Lake shrews: on the brink of extinction but highly recoverable. Brian L. Cypher, Erin Tennant, Jesus Maldonado, Larry Saslaw, Tory Westall, Jacklyn Mohay, Erica Kelly, Christine Van Horn Job
9:25 - 9:45 am Results of 20 years of condor recovery on California's Central Coast. Joe Burnett, Melissa Clark, Amy List, Mike Stake, Kelly Sorenson
9:45 - 10:05 am The reintroduction gap: could the California grizzly ever be reintroduced? Elizabeth S. Forbes Student Paper
Contributed Papers
Session # 18
Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles II Friday, February 8, 2019; 8:00 am - 9:45 am
Salon 3 Chair: Dave Cook, Sonoma County Water Agency
8:05 - 8:25 am Using dynamic occupancy and state space models to identify trends in a population of California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii). Matthew J. Sharp Chaney, Brian J. Halstead
8:25 - 8:45 am Thermal ecology of the federally endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila). Kat N. Ivey, Emily Taylor, Michael Westphal Student Paper
8:45 - 9:05 am Canopy effects on early stage vital rates for northern red-legged frogs and potential Impacts to population growth rates. Kelcy W. McHarry, Brian R. Hudgens, Jessica M. Abbott
9:05 - 9:25 am Effects of temperature and hydroperiod on northern red-legged frog. Lindsey Gordon, Brian Hudgens, Jessica Abbott, Kelcy McHarry, Melissa Harbert Student Paper
9:25 - 9:45 am From poop to scoop: a novel method to survey blunt nosed leopard lizard and sympatric lizards using genetics and noninvasive fecal samples. Mark J. Statham, Michael F. Westphal, Ben N. Sacks
9:45 - 10:05 am Conservation of an endemic reptile: creation and potential applications of a rangewide habitat model for the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii). Patricia M. Valcarcel, Michael Rochelle, Kevin Clark, Melissa Stepek, Rob Lovich, Lin Piest, Felicia Sirchia, Bradford Hollingsworth
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Contributed Papers
Session # 19
Ecology and Conservation of Mammals III Friday, February 8, 2019; 8:00 am - 9:45 am
Salon 4 Chair: Natasha Dvorak, Swaim Biological, Inc.
8:05 - 8:25 am Competitive interactions between desert kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) in the Mojave Desert. Erica C. Kelly, Brian L. Cypher, David J. Germano, Paul T. Smith
8:25 - 8:45 am Parasite safari: using citizen science to understand herbivore parasite exposure risk at East African watering holes. Georgia C. Titcomb, Jenna Hulke, Amanda Orens, John N. Mantas, Benard C. Gituku, Hillary S. Young Student Paper
8:45 - 9:05 am Impact of urban-suburban landscape conversion on canid species presence in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Amanda E. Coen, Andrea M. Schreier, Benjamin N. Sacks Student Paper
9:05 - 9:25 am Relationship between amount of suitable habitat and land status and genetics in a wide-ranging large carnivore. Justin Dellinger, Kyle D. Gustafson, Steven G. Torres
9:25 - 9:45 am Outfoxed no more: Sierra Nevada red fox captures reveal new insights into habitat use and reproduction. Jennifer E. Carlson, Pete Figura, Deana Clifford, Cate Quinn, Benjamin Sacks
9:45 - 10:05 am "Going to California" (a Led Zeppelin song about wolf dispersal?). California wolf management update. Kent Laudon
Contributed Papers
Session # 20
Wildlife Professionals: Agency Coordination & Collaboration
Friday, February 8, 2019; 8:00 am - 9:45 am Salon 5
Chair: Rhys Evans, Vandenberg Air Force Base 8:05 - 8:25 am Collaboration: crucial to mitigating conflict with mountain lions. Korinna Domingo
8:25 - 8:45 am The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Science Institute - supporting collaborative science for action. Christina Sloop, Whitney Albright, Junko Hoshi
8:45 - 9:05 am Supporting integration of climate adaptation strategies into CDFW wildlife and land management practices. Whitney L. Albright, Armand Gonzales, Dylan MacArthur-Waltz, Rachel Portillo
9:05 - 9:25 am Agenda-driven science: recognizing and avoiding the pitfalls. R. J. Gutiérrez, Gavin M. Jones, M. Zachariah Peery
9:25 - 9:45 am Creating collaborative landscape conservation opportunities through regulatory framework - SB34 Advanced Mitigation Land Acquisition Grants Program. Cody Hanford, Armand Gonzales, Junko Hoshi, Jill Bays, Peter Satin, Tim Shields
9:45 - 10:05 am California Biodiversity Council: 28 Years of interagency coordination and collaboration. Don Yasuda, Kamyar Guivetchi, Denny Grossman
Contributed Papers
Session # 21
Wildfire and Wildlife Friday, February 8, 2019; 10:25 am - 12:10 pm
Salon 2 Chair: Amanda Culpepper, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife
10:30 - 10:50 am Patterns of woodboring beetle activity following recent fires and bark-beetle outbreaks in montane forests of California. Chris Ray, Daniel R. Cluck, Rodney B. Siegel, Angela M. White, Gina L. Tarbill, Christine A. Howell, Sarah C. Sawyer, Robert (Bob) L. Wilkerson
10:50 - 11:10 am Impact of wildfires on barn owl (Tyto alba) habitat selection in a vineyard agroecosystem in Napa Valley. Allison Huysman, Matt Johnson Student Paper
11:10 - 11:30 am Effects of forest fire and drought-induced tree mortality on habitat selection by California Spotted Owls in Yosemite National Park. Lynn N. Schofield, Rodney B. Siegel, Stephanie A. Eyes, Sarah L. Stock
11:30 - 11:50 am Short-term resilience of great gray owls to a megafire in California, USA. Rodney B. Siegel, Morgan W. Tingley, Joanna X. Wu, Sarah L. Stock, Joseph R. Medley, Ryan S. Kalinowski, Angeles Casas, Marcie Lima-Baumback, Adam C. Rich, Stephanie A. Eyes
11:50 - 12:10 pm Habitat selection by northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in a fire-prone forest in the Sierra Nevada, California. Rachel V. Blakey, Rodney B. Siegel, Elisabeth B. Webb, Colin P. Dillingham, Matthew Johnson, Dylan C. Kesler
12:10 - 12:30 pm Factors influencing effectiveness of fuel breaks for containing rangeland wildfires within the Great Basin. Cali Roth, Peter Coates, Mark Ricca, Michele Crist, Julie Heinrichs, Douglas Shinneman
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Contributed Papers
Session # 22
Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles III Friday, February 8, 2019; 10:25 am - 12:10 pm
Salon 3 Chair: Dave Cook, Sonoma County Water Agency
10:30 - 10:50 am Effects of vernal pool hydroperiod on larval occupancy of threatened California tiger salamanders in the Central Valley. Amanda M. Kissel, Eric C. Hansen, Meghan Halabisky, Rick D. Scherer, Maureen E. Ryan, Brett G. Dickson
10:50 - 11:10 am Eat, prey, live: thermal ecology and energy requirements of coastal and inland populations of Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus). Hayley L. Crowell, Emily N. Taylor Student Paper
11:10 - 11:30 am A comparative study of home range and movement patterns of coastal and inland Pacific rattlesnakes. Sebastian Gonzales, Hayley Crowell, Emily Taylor Student Paper
11:30 - 11:50 am Development of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay and environmental DNA sampling methods for giant gartersnakes (Thamnophis gigas). Gregory Schumer, Scott Blankenship, Eric Hansen
11:50 - 12:10 pm Spatial and temporal patterns of giant gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas) decline and extinction in California's Central Valley: prioritizing recovery in a state. Eric C. Hansen, Rick D. Scherar
12:10 - 12:30 pm Modeling monarchs: predicting the overwintering distributions of monarch butterflies in Santa Barbara County with a climatic niche model. Ashley Fisher, Kiana, Saniee, Charis, van der Heide , Jessica, Griffiths , Dan, Meade, Francis, X, Villablanca
Contributed Papers
Session # 23
Ecology and Conservation of Mammals IV Friday, February 8, 2019; 10:25 am - 12:10 pm
Salon 4 Chair: Natasha Dvorak, Swaim Biological, Inc.
10:30 - 10:50 am Temporal and spatial density estimates of pygmy rabbit populations across the Great Basin. Miranda M. Crowell, Marjorie D. Matocq, Kevin T. Shoemaker Student Paper
10:50 - 11:10 am Stand occupancy by fisher and tree squirrels in northern California: investigating the influence of masting hardwoods. Andria M. Townsend, Aaron Facka, Sean Matthews, Micaela Szykman Gunther Student Paper
11:10 - 11:30 am Evaluation of range-wide occupancy and survey methods for the giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens). Alyssa E. Semerdjian, Robert Stafford, Michael F. Westphal, H. Scott Butterfield, W. Tim Bean Student Paper
11:30 - 11:50 am Hawaiian hoary bat occupancy and distribution on O'ahu - a 1st year analysis. Joel L. Thompson, Leigh Ann Starcevich, Troy Rintz, Erica Adamczyk, Donald Solick
11:50 - 12:10 pm Range-wide occupancy analysis of Mohave ground squirrels. Erica L. Orcutt, Barbara M. Leitner, David K. Delaney, Philip Leitner Student Paper
12:10 - 12:30 pm Small mammal distributions across vegetation islands. Francis X. Villablanca, Juliana Trunzo, Stephanie Little
Contributed Papers
Session # 24
Ecology and Conservation of Martens and Fishers Friday, February 8, 2019; 10:25 am - 12:10 pm
Salon 5 Chair: Kathryn Purcell, US Forest Service
10:30 - 10:50 am Multi-species carnivore monitoring: investigating statistical power to detect marten and fisher population declines using spatially-explicit simulations. Jody M. Tucker, Katie M. Moriarty, Jessie D. Golding, Martha M. Ellis
10:50 - 11:10 am Movement characteristics explain energetic expenditures of a cryptic carnivore, the Pacific marten. Marie E. Martin, Katie M. Moriarty, Jonathan N. Pauli Student Paper
11:10 - 11:30 am Estimating energy expenditure and total body water content of fishers in California with doubly labeled water. Aaron N. Facka, Roger A. Powell
11:30 - 11:50 am Dietary overlap of fishers and Pacific martens in response to tree mortality in Sierra Nevada forests. G. Brad Smith, Jonathan N. Pauli, Jody M. Tucker Student Paper
11:50 - 12:10 pm The influence of forest conditions on the survival and reproduction of female fishers. Sean M. Matthews, David S. Green, J. Mark Higley
12:10 - 12:30 pm An assessment of habitat used by reproductive female fishers (Pekania pennanti) in the southern Sierra Nevada. Rebecca E. Green, Kathryn L. Purcell, Douglas A. Kelt, Craig M. Thompson, Heiko U. Wittmer, Nathan M. Hebert, Eric L. McGregor
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Program and Schedule 46 February 4-8, 2019
PLENARY AGENDA
Death and Taxas: Extinction and Speciation During the Anthropocene
● Thursday: 1:30 to 3:00pm
● Salons 4 & 5
● Chair and Moderator: Matthew Bettelheim, TWS Western Section President-Elect
We are closing in on a decade since the concept of the Anthropocene first took root. The term stems from the Greek words for human (Anthropo-) and new (-cene) and represents a backward glance—as far back as the beginning of the Agricultural Revolution—and a prophetic gaze forward—into our LCD mobile phones, the modern crystal ball. This burgeoning geologic epoch is one steeped in enough controversy that it has yet to be formally adopted by the appropriate parties. But there is little question among scientists that the proposed Anthropocene (or, conservatively, our current Holocene) has recently become an epoch indelibly defined by humankind’s impact on Earth’s climate, biogeography, biodiversity, geomorphology, and stratigraphy.
Because we are scientists, we recognize that the systems above are as reliant on each other as wildflowers are to pollinators. But because we are also wildlife biologists, we have the privilege of focusing our studies on the species that comprise Earth’s biodiversity. The trickledown effects of humankind’s impact can be seen in wildlife through range shifts, the spread of pathogens and invasive species, habitat loss, extirpations and extinctions, and more. The effects we see are so pervasive, it seems appropriate that wildlife have become our canary in the coalmine. But it is unseemly that today we have grown numb to the deafening silence of each canary lost to the coalmine.
And so, we find ourselves faced with death, the plight of declining to extinct taxa, the discovery of new taxa, and the rediscovery of taxa thought to be extinct. Extirpation, recovery, extinction, and rewilding: one thing they have in common is humans, one thing that differentiates them is the passage of time. To reach extinction, to resort to rewilding, means we’ve waited too long. In the Anthropocene, time is money, and the costs to rebuild a species from genes and spare parts can be exponentially greater than those necessary to manage a species in decline.
Today, we extoll the efforts spent to recover the California Condor and hang our head over the loss of the Xerces blue butterfly, extinction’s cautionary poster child. Stories like these force us to ask ourselves when is it appropriate to step in, and is it ever too late? Are we ready to learn from past mistakes in time to prevent future ones? Because at some point, in the not-too-distant future, we’ll learn whether action or inaction bears a steeper price to pay.
These are sobering thoughts in trying times, but the challenges are not insurmountable. Even as science marches forward, there is still time to remember the past so that we are not condemned to repeat it. These are the questions we’ll be exploring, using case studies from the past – the elephant seal, California Condor, Xerces blue butterfly – to inform crises in the present – Sierra Nevada red fox, Lange’s metalmark butterfly, mountain yellow-legged frog.
As we stand at the crossroads of a geologic epoch that portends permanency, it seems unquestionable that in this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxas. One is inevitable, the other enviable. That humankind will continue to leave our indelible mark on the planet seems inescapable, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be one of beauty. Of a planet – and its taxas – made whole again for future generations.
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PLENARY SPEAKER BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Dr. Alexis Mychajliw, Paleobiologist, La Brea Tar Pits of Los Angeles, California
Of Creatures Huge, Fierce, and Strange: the Pleistocene Roots of our Anthropocene Extinctions in North America
As a conservation paleobiologist, Alexis combines modern, historic, and paleontological datasets to pinpoint the factors underlying extinction or survival in the face of change. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the La Brea Tar Pits of Los Angeles, California. There, she uses millennial-scale snapshots of an ecosystem trapped in asphalt to connect the dots from the Late Pleistocene into the Anthropocene. She earned her B.S in Biology from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences in 2012. She then received her Ph.D. in 2017 from Stanford University, where, as an Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellow, she studied extinction dynamics of Caribbean mammals through paleontological excavations and monitored endangered species in the Dominican Republic’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. At Stanford, she co-led community-engaged courses to bridge the science-policy gap in partnership with the California Office of Research & Planning and the Department of Homeland Security. Her most recent research has sent her to museum warehouses, basements, and closets in search of fossil and historic grizzly bear specimens, working with the California Grizzly Research Network to imagine a California where grizzlies roam the state once again.
Plenary Talk Abstract: More than a century ago, naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace reflected, upon considering the fossil record, that “we live in a zoologically impoverished world, from which all the hugest, and fiercest, and strangest forms have recently disappeared.” Despite this prescient observation, the past 100 years have witnessed only further accelerations in species losses, pushing us into what some have termed the Earth’s 6th Mass Extinction event and moving such events from the realm of paleontology into that of conservation biology. The conservation challenges we face in the Anthropocene now demand collaboration between paleo- and neontologists to better quantify what deep-time extinction patterns look like as expressed on decadal timescales. In fact, such challenges may be seen as opportunities to document the process of extinction as it unfolds in real-time and allow for extinction lessons of the past to inform management interventions.
Mass extinction has been traditionally defined in the fossil record as the loss of 75% of species over <2 million years. While many are familiar with the demise of non-avian dinosaurs 65 million years ago, other past calamities include, for example, the End Ordovician (440 million years ago) when a severe glaciation chilled the planet, lowered sea levels, and killed off small marine organisms, and the End Permian (250 million years ago), also known as the “Great Dying”, that wiped out 95% of species on Earth as a result of volcanism, oceanic anoxia, and global warming. Contextualizing our historic and projected losses in this language of past extinctions can be difficult, however. Recent attempts to translate IUCN assessments into geologic timescales have yielded sobering results: extinction rates since 1500 AD are occurring up to 100 times higher than expected as compared to the fossil record’s background rate.
While 1500 AD is a regularly assumed benchmark because of European arrival in the Americas, it neglects the ways that indigenous peoples and natural climatic changes have shifted baselines for thousands of years prior. Though today we think of species like mountain lions, gray wolves, and grizzly bears as vulnerable top predators, they are instead relatively small-bodied survivors nested within a once larger suite of megafaunal diversity that included American lions, dire wolves, and short-faced bears. In fact, the roots of our modern community structures and conservation dilemmas stretch back to the Late Pleistocene, when North America lost ~72% of its megafauna during a time of major ecological upheaval spurred by human arrival and climatic shifts. New studies documenting the last appearances of megafauna, the genomic footprints of human arrival, and changing vegetation communities are enhancing how we approach the question of extinction in North America, which in turn shapes how we contextualize the ongoing losses of the Anthropocene. By reconstructing these challenges of North America’s past as prelude to today’s Anthropocene extinctions, we can better develop interdisciplinary partnerships that enhance species recovery, reintroduction, and perhaps, rewilding.
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Dr. Peter H. Bloom, Zoologist, V.P., Bloom Biological, Inc
California Condor Conservation 1930 – 2050
Plenary Talk Abstract: The “modern” California Condor research period began in 1980, and I was employed on the California Condor program by the National Audubon Society from 1982 – 1987, a short but significant period in Condor conservation. During this time, all remaining wild Condors were captured and brought into captivity, and the captive breeding program was initiated. To prepare for this presentation, I collaborated with the Condor reintroduction programs, which provided information on the history of reintroduction, current status, and threats. I will address: 1) the period prior to 1980, 2) USFWS – National Audubon era from 1980 – 1987, 3) USFWS and collaborators from 1988 – 2019, and 4) the future to 2050. Many of the challenges for Condor conservation of the last several decades will continue. With a projected population of 60 million people by 2050, habitat loss in California will continue to be a major issue. The legal use of lead ammunition for hunting in California could end this year. However, lead ammunition has not been banned in Arizona or Utah although hunters are encouraged to use nonlead ammunition within the Condor range. Micro trash will continue to be a problem. To what degree is West Nile Virus a threat? How will climate change affect the Condor? Do we continue supplemental feeding indefinitely? Despite the continuing hurdles to success, and unknown problems that may arise in the future, due to the perseverance of all the people involved, I am optimistic about the Condor’s future. However, the Condor may likely be forever “conservation reliant.” One “cost” of maintaining a conservation reliant species may be in the form of lost opportunities for saving lesser known species, or even suites of species. For example, between 1980 and 1987, seven Hawaiian bird species went extinct. An important question for the Condor program in the future then may be the cost of expanding the reintroduction program to other areas and the cost of maintaining those new populations indefinitely.
Dr. Ben Sacks, Professor, University of California at Davis
Navigating the Complexities of Small Population Size, Hybridization, and Functional Role to Save the Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Co-Authors: Cate B. Quinn (University of California, Davis, CA) and Sarah Stock (Yosemite National Park, CA).
Dr. Sacks is professor of wildlife biology and genetics at UC Davis, and Director of its Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit (MECU). The MECU is composed of faculty, post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate researchers who work on population genetics, systematics, ecology, evolution, and application of noninvasive genetic and genomic tools to research and monitoring of endangered wildlife. Current projects in the MECU include red, kit, gray, and island foxes; wolf-like canids, black bears, elk, mule and black-tailed deer, salt marsh harvest mice, giant kangaroo rats, and blunt-nosed leopard lizards in North American. MECU researchers currently collaborate internationally on conservation of mountain gorillas, lions, Himalayan and Indian wolves, African wolflike canids, and Highland wild dogs and dingoes of Australasia. Dr. Sacks has served since 2013 on the IUCN Species Survival Commission within the Canid Specialist and Canid Taxonomy and Nomenclature working groups. He obtained a Ph.D. in Ecology at UC Davis in 2002 and a Master’s in Wildlife Biology at UC Berkeley in 1996. He served briefly as Assistant Professor at California State University, Sacramento (2007-2010), before turning his full attention to the MECU at UC Davis (formerly Canid Diversity and Conservation Unit).
Plenary Talk Abstract: The Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) is teetering on the edge of extirpation, and biologists are debating whether to intervene or not. Once seemingly gone from its namesake habitat, a small native Sierra Nevada red fox population was rediscovered in the past decade. Since that time, biologists have faced an increasingly complex story fraught with imminent threats of small population size and inbreeding depression. A candidate for genetic rescue, the foxes did not wait for human-initiated augmentations or reintroductions. Native female foxes have recently bred with Great Basin red foxes, producing hybrid offspring. In the short term, the population appears to be growing as a consequence of outbreeding. In the long term, it is unclear how outbreeding will impact the persistence of locally adapted genes. This uncertainty raises the question of what can, and what should, biologists work to save – the purely native Sierra Nevada
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red fox for its unique evolutionary and genetic lineage, or its ecological role as a mountain-dwelling predator in the subalpine/alpine ecosystem? With fewer than 50 native individuals remaining within a few isolated populations in California and Oregon, biologists are pressed for time to acquire empirical data that guide the way forward. Meanwhile, the population continues to change. Red foxes have appeared in new regions of the mountains, including south of Mammoth, more than 60 kilometers south of previous detections, and populated areas of lower elevation where they are exhibiting habituated behaviors. This presentation explores the dilemma of protecting native animals and their genetic lineages, functional roles, and contributions to biodiversity. As scientists, we gather and interpret data necessary to guide decisions. As humans, we move forward into an uncertain future being cognizant of past mistakes and knowing that our predictions might fall short, but always striving to be the animals’ best advocates.
Tom Maloney, Director of Conservation, Revive & Restore
Genetic Rescue: From Insights to De-Extinction
Tom joined Revive & Restore in June 2017 with 20+ years of experience as a conservationist, environmental advocate, natural resource planner and ecologist. Most recently Tom served as the Executive Director of the California Ocean Science Trust. Tom started his career on the Connecticut River as the first River Steward for the Connecticut River Watershed Council. Tom left the Watershed Council to join The Nature Conservancy to establish the Plymouth Pinelands Program in Plymouth, MA where the focus was the conservation of globally rare pine barrens and coastal plain ponds. In 2005 Tom joined the California Program of The Nature Conservancy in the San Luis Obispo office. In early 2009 Tom left TNC to start the Tejon Ranch Conservancy. Tom holds a BA in Economics from Boston University and a MS in Resource Management from Antioch New England. Since 1997, Tom has also served as a natural history tour guide on three continents.
Plenary Talk Abstract: Tom will provide a brief overview of the efforts at Revive & Restore to advance the application of genomic and biotech tools in the conservation toolkit. The radical reductions in cost and the ever-increasing rapidity of genetic sequencing are making genomic tools ever more affordable to wildlife biologists. Genetic information can provide a number of new insights for wildlife managers such as: new understanding of immune response, much more precise population delineations, or genetic sources of climate change resilience (or lack thereof). Broadly dubbed “genetic rescue,” the opportunities accruing from rapid advances in genomics and genetic engineering range from improved insights all the way to the possibility of de-extinction. Tom will highlight a few projects that display the power of these tools. For instance, Revive & Restore holds an Endangered Species Recovery permit to develop methods to bring back two frozen black-footed ferret cell lines in the San Diego Frozen Zoo. That work will be complemented by experiments to see if the resistance to the non-native sylvatic plague can be engineered to be an inheritable trait. Tom will also provide a quick update on the long-term goal to return proxies of passenger pigeon back to the forests of eastern North America.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 50 February 4-8, 2019
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 51 February 4-8, 2019
Poster Session
Thursday, February 7, 2019; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Salon 1-5)
Chair: Carlos Alvarado and Allison Fuller, Ascent Environmental
Incorporating human perspectives into the role of diversity and inclusion in wildlife science. Bayan W. Ahmed, Jaclyn Aliperti, Chris Collier, Korinna Domingo, Ximena Gil
Raccoon habitat and space use in Yosemite Valley. Erika L. Anderson, Sean Matthews, David Green, Caitlin Lee-Roney, Elizabeth Wold, Esther Kukielka, Beatriz Martinez-Lopez, Rachel Mazur
Bat activity in California redwood forests across a summer fog-climate gradient. Chelsea L. Andreozzi, Adina M. Merenlender Student Paper
Basal hollow roost selection by the Townsend's big-eared bat and other bats on the North Coast of California. Amon J. Armstrong, Joseph M. Szewczak Student Paper
An overview of NEON rodent population data in the San Joaquin Valley region. Emily J. Artz, Jessica Bolis, Kate Thibault
DNA metabarcoding methods to elucidate trophic interactions of salt marsh harvest mouse, and applications to other small mammal studies. Cody M. Aylward, Leila S. Harris, Douglas A. Kelt, J. Mark Statham Student Paper
Weeding through the impacts of legal cannabis: the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and cannabis cultivation. Angela D. Baker, Margaret Mantor
"Scouting": The role of summer movements on information gathering for winter habitat by North American porcupines. Pairsa N. Belamaric, W. Tim Bean Student Paper
Resource selection in desert bighorn sheep: tradeoffs associated with reproduction and neonate age. Marcus E. Blum, Kelley M. Stewart, Mike Cox, Brian Wakeling Student Paper
Barred owl playback survey protocol: what calls elicit a response? Nicole A. Bogle Student Paper
The California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Program: updates to range and distribution maps for California species and subspecies. Joel A. Boros, Melanie Gogol-Prokurat, Sandra Hill
Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) and cattle: enteric pathogens at the wildlife-domestic interface. Emily A. Buck, Richard N. Brown, Carrington A. Hilson Student Paper
Resilience in ecological communities: monitoring wildlife recovery post megafire. Kendall L. Calhoun, Justin Brashares Student Paper
Novel therapies for treating burned wildlife. Andrew R. Di Salvo, Jamie L. Peyton, Deana L. Clifford
Using an integrated population model framework to evaluate impacts of geothermal activity on sage-grouse populations and guide energy and conservation planning. Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Mark A. Ricca, Shawn T. O'Neil, John D. Boone, Elisabeth M. Ammon, David J. Delehanty
Estimating the effects of off-highway vehicles on oak-chaparral birds using community modeling. Jerry S. Cole, Nicole L. Michel, Rodney B. Siegel, Nicolas Somilleda Jr.
Motion activated insight: a trail camera study in Sonoma County Regional Parks. Christopher J. Collier, Lenihan C. Mazur Student Paper
It's a trap! An evaluation of different passive trap types to control the invasive red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in Santa Monica Mountain streams. Angela De Palma-Dow, Joseph N. Curti
Demographic variation in assemblages of Brazilian free-tailed bats at a migratory stopover roost in eastern Nevada. Joseph R. Danielson, Richard E. Sherwin, Jason A. Williams, Bryan T. Hamilton, Kelsey L. Ekholm
Presence, diversity, and abundance of neotropical migrant and resident birds at the Desert Studies Center. Francine A. De Castro, Stanley Wright Student Paper
Preliminary results of an analysis of a disjuctunt population of red-bellied newt (Taricha rivularis). Joie de Leon Student Paper
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 52 February 4-8, 2019
Ornament morphology and soft tissue and skeletal correlates in Aleutian cackling geese (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia). Matthew D. Delgado, Jeffrey M. Black
Cross-validating multiple population estimation techniques for Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). Janelle A. Dorcy, Alex McInturff, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Brett J. Furnas, Justin S. Brashares
Persistence of greater sage-grouse following wildfire. Ian F. Dudley, Peter S. Coates, Mark A. Ricca, Dawn M. Davis, Scott C. Gardner, David J. Delehanty Student Paper
Diet composition of mountain lions on the Modoc Plateau. Jonathan D. Ewanyk, David K. Garcelon, Micaela S. Gunther Student Paper
Evaluation of pond restoration efforts to enhance CRLF habitat. Hannah Fertel, Jessica Purificato, Jonathan D. Price
Fire and habitat explain geographic variation in type I songs of hermit warblers in California, USA. Brett J. Furnas, Russ H. Landers, Rauri C. K. Bowie
Integrating telemetry data into spatial capture-recapture to better infer rest site selection of ringtails in northwestern California. Kathleen P. Gundermann, Cale H. Myers, J. Mark Higley, David S. Green, Sean M. Matthews
Effects of single leaf pinyon and Utah juniper removal on mule deer population in the Toiyabe Range, central Nevada. Jason Gundlach, Kelley M. Stewart
Roost use and landscape-scale movement patterns of Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) in White Pine County, Nevada. Laura M. Hancock, Jason A. Williams, Megan Moran, Rick E. Sherwin Student Paper
Demographic plasticity in giant gartersnake populations in managed wetlands and agricultural areas. Eric C. Hansen, Rick D. Scherar, Gary C. White, Barry R. Noon
Amphipod predation on northern red-legged frog embryos. Melissa A. Harbert, Brian Hudgens
The Highway 89 stewardship team - mitigation, research and education to improve wildlife passage. Sara M. Holm
Identifying movement barriers for pronghorn in the Modoc Plateau. Brian Hudgens, David Garcelon, Justin Brice, Colton Wise Student Paper
Relationship between mule deer reproduction and resource selection: quid pro quo. Nathan Jackson, Kelley M. Stewart, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Darren A. Clark, Michael J. Wisdom
Exploring human perceptions and conflict surrounding human-seal use of beaches in California and Hawaii. Leilani S. Konrad, Arielle Levine Student Paper
The effects of the Mendocino Complex fire on habitat use and movement in black-tailed deer and other large mammals. Samantha E. Kreling, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Alex McInturff, Justin S. Brashares Student Paper
Pelagic cormorant nesting success and oceanic conditions in northern California. Jade Morning Sky Little, Daniel Barton, Shannon Brinkman, Claire Nasr Student Paper
Brood translocation as a population restoration method for greater sage-grouse. Mary B. Meyerpeter, Peter S. Coates, Mark A. Ricca, Brian G. Prochazka, David J. Delehanty Student Paper
Measuring the regional impacts of pinyon and juniper removal on bat and small mammal communities in the northern Great Basin. Danielle Miles, Kevin T. Shoemaker Student Paper
Designing an automated counter for monitoring bat house occupancy. Shahroukh Mistry, Abdullah Albazroun, Colleen A. Hatfield, Carissa Leveille, Karin Metzgar, Alex Vorboril, Ozgul Yasar
Effects of wildfire on the structure of carnivore communities in northern California. Erin E. Morrison, Taylor R. Peltier, David S. Green, Sean M. Matthews, Roger A. Powell
Use of DNA sequencing to identify the origin of western pond turtles in captive breeding programs. Rachel L. Morrow, Joshua S. Reece Student Paper
Climate change vulnerability is phylogenetically clustered for most of California's birds. Shelby P. Moshier, Gurjap Dhaliwal, Joshua S. Reece Student Paper
Feral horses disrupt greater sage-grouse lekking activity in the Great Basin. Diana A. Munoz, Peter S. Coates Student Paper
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 53 February 4-8, 2019
Blunt-nosed bling: Are radio collars a stressor to blunt-nosed leopard lizards (Gambelia sila)? Heather M. Neldner, Michael Westphal, Ignacio T. Moore, Kathleen Ivey, Emily Taylor
Estimates of calf survival and factors influencing mortality in northwestern California. Erin M. Nigon, Richard Brown, Carrington Hilson, Micaela Szykman-Gunther, W. Tim Bean Student Paper
Regional conservation investment strategies program: a new conservation tool. Ami Olson, Shannon Lucas, Ron Unger
Capture, holding and release of a native pond turtle (Actinemys pallida) population. Brock A. Ortega
Use of noninvasive DNA to study abundance and structure of black bear populations in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Julia D. Owen, Camilo J. Sanchez, Shelly Blair, Sara Holm, Benjamin N. Sacks Student Paper
The effects of human disturbance and drought on intraguild interactions of mammalian mesopredators in California. Molly K. Parren Student Paper
Establishing a new burrowing owl breeding node in San Diego County. Savannah R. Perez, Colleen L. Wisinski, Michael T. Stevens, Danielle M. Angel, Susanne A. Marcak, Sarah M. Hennessy, Lisa A. Nordstrom
Seasonal patterns in bat activity at Lava Beds National Monument. Janette Perez-Jimenez, Katrina Smith
Bat acoustic monitoring in the Sierras and the Central Valley. Joshua S. Reece, David Lent, Shelby Moshier, Rachel Morrow, Chrisionna Graves
Joining forces to streamline environmental compliance: two National Park Service units, one environmental assessment for invasive plant management. Julie L. Remp, Meredith Zaccherio
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting trends and disturbance sources in the East Bay Regional Park District. David L. Riensche, Shane T. Cano, Gaetano J. Palazzo
Development of western pond turtle studies in Suisun Marsh. Melissa K. Riley
Characterization of a black bear microsatellite multiplex optimized for noninvasively collected samples in California. Camilo J. Sanchez, Julia Owen, Stevi Vanderzwan, Michael Buchalski, Ben Sacks
Modeling and mapping habitat suitability for foraging activity of cryptic foliage-roosting bats in central coastal California. Bethany C. Schulze, Fred G. Watson, Jennifer M. Duggan, Winifred F. Frick
Effects of GPS tracking devices on sage-grouse demographic rates and behavior. John P. Severson, Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Mark A. Ricca, Michael L. Casazza, David J. Delehanty
When the fisher's away, the mice will play: The effects of mixed-severity wildfire on small mammal occupancy in northern California and southern Oregon. Christopher A. Sirakowski, David S. Green, Sean M. Matthews Student Paper
Clarifying breeding system, breeding phenology and infanticide from a reintroduced population of fishers. Kevin P. Smith, Aaron N. Facka, Roger A. Powell
Selectivity of microtrash material type by California condors. Marie G. Solis, Francis X. Villablanca Student Paper
Behavioral ecology of riparian brush rabbits at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. Celia M. Tarcha, Patrick A. Kelly Student Paper
It's getting hot in here: salt marsh harvest mouse survival and recovery after a wildfire. Melissa K Riley, Laureen Barthman-Thompson, Sarah Estrella, Candice Rose, Katherine Smith, Sadie Trombley
The role of elementary school students and citizen scientists in monarch butterfly recovery. Melissa Tu, Katie Laybourn, Andrew Turpin
Multi-year monitoring of a sympatric population of newts (Taricha torosa and T. granulosa) in a coastal pond. Maxwell F. Westphal, Emme Nix, Eva Gruber, Michael F. Westphal
Minimizing carnivore conflicts with proper carcass disposal. Jessica Whalen
Determining the preferred internal body temperature of Pacific rattlesnakes, Crotalus oreganus. James M. Whelan, Hayley L. Crowell, Emily Taylor Student Paper
California state safe harbor agreement program. Madeleine J. Wieland, Ryan L. Mathis
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 54 February 4-8, 2019
An ounce of prevention: using infra-red technology to proactively manage a bat roost. Jason A. Williams, Joel Thompson, Rene Braud
Pronghorn fawn survival and population dynamics in northeast California. Colton Wise, David Garcelon, Brian Hudgens
Reintroducing the western pond turtle to Yosemite Valley. Sidney M. Woodruff, Ninette Daniele, Molly Thompson, Rob Grasso, Jessie Bushell, Rachel Mazur
SESSION ABSTRACTS ELECTRONIC ACCESS INFORMATION
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to gain quick access to the online abstracts.
To conserve paper and reduce energy consumption, abstracts for concurrent and poster sessions are provided electronically.
Abstracts are available to view, download or print via the Western Section Annual Meeting website: www.tws-west/tenayalodge2019/
Do you have ideas for future Western Section events?
Talk to your Chapter Representative or attend the
Professional Development Committee Meeting
Thursday, 3:15 pm, Salons 4-5
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 55 February 4-8, 2019
Poster Board
Location Abstract Title Presenter
1 Incorporating Human Perspectives into the Role of Diversity and Inclusion in Wildlife Science. Bayan Ahmed
2 Weeding through the impacts of legal cannabis: the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and cannabis cultivation.
Angela Baker
3 Estimates of calf survival and factors influencing mortality in northwestern California. Erin Nigon
4 The California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Program: updates to range and distribution maps for California species and subspecies.
Joel Boros
5 Regional conservation investment strategies program: a new conservation tool. Ami Olson
6 Fire and habitat explain geographic variation in type I songs of Hermit Warblers in California Brett Furnas
7 The effects of the Mendocino Complex fire on habitat use and movement in black-tailed deer and other large mammals.
Samantha Kreling
8 Effects of wildfire on the structure of carnivore communities in northern California. Erin Morrison
9 When the fisher's away, the mice will play: The effects of mixed-severity wildfire on small mammal occupancy in northern California and southern Oregon.
Christopher Sirakowski
10 It's getting hot in here: salt marsh harvest mouse survival and recovery after a wildfire. Sadie Trombley
11 Resilience in ecological communities: monitoring wildlife recovery post megafire. Kendall Calhoun
12 Novel therapies for treating burned wildlife. Deana Clifford
13 Persistence of greater sage-grouse following wildfire. Ian Dudley
14 Bat acoustic monitoring in the Sierras and the Central Valley. Joshua Reece
15 Measuring the regional impacts of pinyon and juniper removal on bat and small mammal communities in the northern Great Basin.
Danielle Miles
16 Roost use and landscape-scale movement patterns of Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) in White Pine County, Nevada.
Laura Hancock
17 An ounce of prevention: using infra-red technology to proactively manage a bat roost. Jason Williams
18 Bat activity in California redwood forests across a summer fog-climate gradient. Chelsea Andreozzi
19 Basal hollow roost selection by the Townsend's big-eared bat and other bats on the North Coast of California.
Amon Armstrong
20 Seasonal patterns in bat activity at Lava Beds National Monument. Janette Perez-Jimenez
21 Modeling and mapping habitat suitability for foraging activity of cryptic foliage-roosting bats in central coastal California.
Bethany Schulze
22 Demographic variation in assemblages of Brazilian free-tailed bats at a migratory stopover roost in eastern Nevada.
Joseph Danielson
23 Climate change vulnerability is phylogenetically clustered for most of California's birds. Shelby Moshier
24 The Highway 89 stewardship team - mitigation, research and education to improve wildlife passage.
Sara Holm
25 Selectivity of microtrash material type by California condors. Marie Solis
26 Effects of single leaf pinyon and Utah juniper removal on mule deer population in the Toiyabe Range, central Nevada.
Jason Gundlach
27 Exploring human perceptions and conflict surrounding human-seal use of beaches in California and Hawaii.
Leilani Konrad
28 Establishing a new burrowing owl breeding node in San Diego County. Savannah Perez
29 The role of elementary school students and citizen scientists in monarch butterfly recovery. Melissa Tu
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 56 February 4-8, 2019
Poster Board
Location Abstract Title Presenter
30 The effects of human disturbance and drought on intraguild interactions of mammalian mesopredators in California.
Molly Parren
31 Minimizing carnivore conflicts with proper carcass disposal. Jessica Whalen
32 Relationship between mule deer reproduction and resource selection: quid pro quo. Nathan Jackson
33 Using an integrated population model framework to evaluate impacts of geothermal activity on sage-grouse populations and guide energy and conservation planning.
Peter Coates
34 Brood translocation as a population restoration method for greater sage-grouse. Mary Meyerpeter
35 Withdrawn ---
36 Amphipod predation on northern red-legged frog embryos. Melissa Harbert
37 Evaluation of pond restoration efforts to enhance CRLF habitat. Hannah Fertel
38 Multi-year monitoring of a sympatric population of newts (Taricha torosa and T. granulosa) in a coastal pond.
Maxwell Westphal
39 Preliminary results of an analysis of a disjunct population of red-bellied newt (Taricha rivularis). Joie de Leon
40 Determining the preferred internal body temperature of Pacific rattlesnakes, Crotalus oreganus. James Whelan
41 Capture, holding and release of a native pond turtle (Actinemys pallida) population. Brock Ortega
42 Demographic plasticity in giant gartersnake populations in managed wetlands and agricultural areas.
Eric Hansen
43 Reintroducing the western pond turtle to Yosemite Valley. Sidney Woodruff
44 Development of western pond turtle studies in Suisun Marsh. Melissa Riley
45 Use of DNA sequencing to identify the origin of western pond turtles in captive breeding programs.
Rachel Morrow
46 Use of noninvasive DNA to study abundance and structure of black bear populations in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Julia Owen
47 Characterization of a black bear microsatellite multiplex optimized for noninvasively collected samples in California.
Camilo Sanchez
48 DNA metabarcoding methods to elucidate trophic interactions of salt marsh harvest mouse, and applications to other small mammal studies.
Cody Aylward
49 Designing an automated counter for monitoring bat house occupancy. Shahroukh Mistry
50 Integrating telemetry data into spatial capture-recapture to better infer rest site selection of ringtails in northwestern California.
David Green
51 Blunt-nosed bling: Are radio collars a stressor to blunt-nosed leopard lizards (Gambelia sila)? Heather Neldner
52 Motion activated insight: a trail camera study in Sonoma County Regional Parks. Christopher Collier
53 Joining forces to streamline environmental compliance: two National Park Service units, one environmental assessment for invasive plant management.
Julie Remp
54 An overview of NEON rodent population data in the San Joaquin Valley region. Emily Artz
55 Withdrawn ---
56 Cross-validating multiple population estimation techniques for Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus).
Janelle Dorcy
57 Withdrawn ---
58 Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) and cattle: enteric pathogens at the wildlife-domestic interface.
Emily Buck
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 57 February 4-8, 2019
Poster Board
Location Abstract Title Presenter
59 California state safe harbor agreement program. Madeleine Wieland
60 It's a trap! An evaluation of different passive trap types to control the invasive red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in Santa Monica Mountain streams.
Joseph Curti
61 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting trends and disturbance sources in the East Bay Regional Park District.
David Riensche
62 Ornament morphology and soft tissue and skeletal correlates in Aleutian cackling geese (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia).
Matthew Delgado
63 Estimating the effects of off-highway vehicles on oak-chaparral birds using community modeling. Jerry Cole
64 Pelagic Cormorant nesting success and oceanic conditions in northern California. Jade Morning Sky Little
65 Withdrawn ---
66 Barred Owl playback survey protocol: what calls elicit a response? Nicole Bogle
67 Presence, diversity, and abundance of neotropical migrant and resident birds at the Desert Studies Center.
Francine De Castro
68 Effects of GPS tracking devices on sage-grouse demographic rates and behavior. John Severson
69 Feral horses disrupt greater sage-grouse lekking activity in the Great Basin. Diana Munoz
70 "Scouting": The role of summer movements on information gathering for winter habitat by North American porcupines.
Pairsa Belamaric
71 Identifying movement barriers for pronghorn in the Modoc Plateau. Brian Hudgens
72 Withdrawn ---
73 Pronghorn fawn survival and population dynamics in northeast California. Colton Wise
74 Clarifying breeding system, breeding phenology and infanticide from a reintroduced population of fishers.
Kevin Smith
75 Raccoon habitat and space use in Yosemite Valley. Erika Anderson
76 Behavioral ecology of riparian brush rabbits at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. Celia Tarcha
77 Diet composition of mountain lions on the Modoc Plateau. Jonathan Ewanyk
78 Resource selection in desert bighorn sheep: tradeoffs associated with reproduction and neonate age.
Marcus Blum
Remember the Annual Business Meeting & Members Forum
4:30 to 6:00pm – Salons 4 & 5
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 58 February 4-8, 2019
Western Section Conservation Affairs Committee -- Who are we and what do we do?
We respond to requests from the public, TWS Conservation Affairs Network, Western Section members, or committee members, to review and comment on proposals or policies that may affect the conservation of wildlife and their habitats within the geographical scope of our Section.
• In 2017, we submitted comment letters on reducing the size of National Monuments, the Sportsmen Heritage & Recreational Enhancement Act, and proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act; and supported chapters on locally-based issues & participation in the March for Science.
• In 2018, we prepared comment letters on the Border Wall and proposed changes to Endangered Species Act, and reviewed the proposed expansion of coastal drilling, federal land transfers, DOI grant funding guidance, and Federal recovery permit processing times. We continue to provide support to chapters with their Congressional representative outreach efforts.
Get Involved! • Join our monthly calls on the last Wednesday of every month! Help prepare and review comment letters!
• Support your Chapter in conservation outreach, education, and advocacy!
• Stop by our table in the Exhibit Hall to find out how to contact your representatives and write them a letter!
• Find your representatives: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members and CONTACT THEM!
Contact Us! Western Section CAC Chair: Kelly Holland - [email protected]
Local Chapter Chairs: • California North Coast: Scott Frazer ([email protected])
• Sacramento/Shasta: Melinda Bradbury ([email protected])
• San Francisco Bay Area: Jeanne Chinn ([email protected])
• San Joaquin Valley: Skip Moss ([email protected])
• Southern California: Lisa Fields ([email protected])
• California Central Coast: Tara Schoenwetter ([email protected])
• Nevada: Cody Schroeder ([email protected])
• Hawaii: Afhseen Siddiqi ([email protected])
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 59 February 4-8, 2019
TWS Western Section Committees need volunteers to serve the Section!
The TWS mission: The Wildlife Society is an international non-profit scientific and educational association dedicated to excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education. Our mission is to enhance the ability of wildlife professionals and wildlife students to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure responsible use of wildlife resources and their habitats.
We need your help to complete the TWS mission! Please contact us at [email protected] for more information on becoming involved with the Western Section.
Awards and Grants Committee (Chair Richard Burg, [email protected]) This committee oversees the awards bestowed by Western Section, provides outreach to advertise and administers collection of the grant applications, and provides applications to the President for consideration by Executive Board.
Certification Subcommittee (Chair Rhys Evans, [email protected]) This subcommittee is responsible for promotion, education, and dissemination of Certification information to wildlife professionals and the public in the Western Section area. The Subcommittee promotes certification among employing agencies and private interests.
Conservation Affairs Committee (Chair Kelly Holland, [email protected]) This committee may review legislative proposals, administrative regulations, environmental assessments and impacts statements, and other subjects or issues affecting wildlife or wildlife habitat within the Western Section, and prepares comments to be submitted on behalf of the Western Section. WS-CAC is part of The Wildlife Society's Conservation Affairs Network.
Diversity Committee (Chair Caitlin Roddy, [email protected]) The goal of this committee is to provide support to groups of people who are under-represented in our organization, as well as in the field of wildlife (professionally and recreationally) at large.
Membership Services Subcommittee (Chair Don Yasuda, [email protected]) This subcommittee addresses services currently provided to Western Section members and identifies services wanted by the membership such as a member directory and outreach.
Newsletter and Outreach (Chair Susanne Marczak, [email protected]) This committee coordinates with the Executive Board, Chapters, and with members to solicit and prepare content to be included in the Western Section newsletter. This committee also manages the Section website and electronic communications.
Professional Affairs Committee (Chair Don Yasuda, [email protected]; Vice-Chair Rhys Evans, [email protected]) This committee encourages the maximum number of qualified persons residing or working within the Section’s organizational area to become members of The Wildlife Society and the Western Section, and it shall encourage Certification of eligible professionals.
Professional Development Committee (Chair Janine Payne, [email protected]) This committee coordinates development of technical workshops and symposia for the Annual Meeting; identifies workshops, training sessions, professional meetings, and course work offered by other individuals and organizations that meet the requirements of the Western Section's Professional Development Program; and provides professional development training where current providers are not meeting the needs of wildlife biologists in the Section.
Program Committee (Chair TBD, President-Elect 2019) This committee works closely with the President-Elect to plan the Annual Meeting, and decides general and concurrent session topics, and structures additional activities for the 2019 Annual Meeting.
Student Affairs Committee (Chair Katie Smith, [email protected]) This committee supports wildlife students and early career professionals by engaging students and faculty in Section activities, and emphasizes career-long benefits and opportunities of active membership in The Wildlife Society.
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting
Program and Schedule 60 February 4-8, 2019
Board Operations Ad Hoc Committee (Chair and members needed!) Review Executive Board operational models and develop new tools and procedures as needed to ensure effective operations methods. Seeking committee members who are former Section Board members and members who have knowledge of executive board rules and regulations from service to other organizations.
Early Career Professional Ad Hoc Committee (Chair and members needed!) Work with the Student Affairs Committee and Professional Development Committee to assess needs and opportunities to provide services for wildlife professionals entering their careers that better ensures their career success and their contributions to wildlife conservation.
Enhance Careers Ad Hoc Committee (Chair and members needed!) Review the strategic approach to professional development available to members and develop processes such as a 5-year Professional Development Plan to guide planning for the Professional Development Committee and identify opportunities for networking and collaborating with other organizations.
COME TO THE MEMBER ENGAGEMENT FORUM ON THURSDAY AT 3:15PM (SALONS 4 & 5) FOR
MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE WESTERN SECTION AND CONTRIBUTE
TO COMMITTEE EFFORTS.
NOTES