Apr
24
to Apr 26

FLTWS 2024 Spring Meeting

  • The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society

2024 Spring Meeting

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

Cape Coral, FL

April 24-26, 2024

 

Restoring Balance: Integrating Invasive Species Management and Native Wildlife Conservation

 

Click here to view all the registration and hotel details!

Click HERE to view the Call for Papers and Posters

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Mar
28
11:30 AM11:30

FLTWS Wildlife Connections Zoom Social - Story telling Session

Dear FLTWS Members – Don’t Miss This Zoom, it should be a fun one!

 

The next FLTWS Wildlife Connections Zoom social will be on March 28th at 11:30am EST

 

Topic: “Story telling session; and invitation to tell yours!” with Larry Perrin

 

What began as a “story-telling session” at the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society Spring Conference in 2019 is now proposed as a possible book opportunity (and fundraiser for the FLTWS). Larry Perrin has received several, entertaining wildlifer stories that he will share with us at the next FLTWS Wildlife Connections Zoom social. He also welcomes any of you wildlife managers, researchers, or educators that have a potentially good story – please join us and “do tell!” We want to hear about your incredible adventures (or misadventures).

 

You are also welcome to submit your stories to yelpper7@gmail.com (word preferred). Can’t wait to see – and hear from you – then!


Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88694161762?pwd=TlpjZ29DY2tNUHBEODY3aE1qeTRqdz09&from=addon

Meeting ID: 886 9416 1762
Passcode: FLTWS

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Meeting ID: 886 9416 1762

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcEnh3MmXh

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Jan
30
to Feb 1

Hydric Soils Training

FLTWS Is pleased to offer this hydric soils training for members and non-members.

 

Dates: Tuesday January 30, 2024,  9am – 1pm – Online portion

             Thursday, February 1, 2024 8am – 4:45pm – Field Portion

Thursday Location: Little Big Econ State Forest Equestrian Trailhead

Approx: 937-1235 Snow Hill Rd, Geneva, FL 32732 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/t96rtsV16NHnFQNV7)

 

Full Agenda & Register at: https://fltws.org/hydricsoils-training

 

Fee: FLTWS Member - $249, Non-Members - $309

 

Space is limited to 20 people.  Reserve your space today!

 

Course will cover:

  • Fundamentals of Hydric Soils

  • Review and Discussion of Most Common A and S Indicators for Delineation

  • Review and Discussion of Most Common A and F Indicators for Delineation

  • Hydric Soils ID and Documentation Practice

  • Field Exercises: Texture, Soil Processes, Hydric Soils ID

  • Field Exercises: Hydric Soils ID and Documentation

 

About the Instructor:  Travis Richardson, Certified Professional Soil Scientist

 

Travis is an expert soil scientist.  He started his career with the St. Johns River Water Management District completing soil and vegetation evaluations for the Minimum flows and Levels Program, the Regulatory Program, and the Formal Wetland Determination Program.  He provided wetland delineation training to SJRWMD, DEP, and county staff while at the WMD.  In the private sector, Travis provides technical support to clients and other consulting firms on difficult delineations, wetland delineation training, hydric soils training, as well as other consulting services.

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Jan
16
11:30 AM11:30

Wildlife Connections – Conversations with Wildlife Professionals

Please join us for the next Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society Zoom social on Tuesday, January 16th, at 11:30 (EST)!  This week’s presenter for the FLTWS Wildlife Connections – Conversations with Wildlife Professionals will be Shawnlei Breeding with the Audubon Florida EagleWatch Program, which is a statewide network of ~700 community science volunteers who monitor ~1,200 Bald Eagles nests in the state. Shawnlei will be sharing information about the program, their findings, and asking to connect with other wildlife professionals who may know of or manage eagle nests on properties where they work. We’ll also have an open forum at the end of the meeting for any wildlife or other happenings that you would like to discuss. Hope to “see” you then!

 

Topic: EagleWatch: Monitoring Bald Eagle Nests in Florida

Time: Jan 16, 2024 11:30 AM Eastern

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81612108000?pwd=QlBldDBkOGs2cW8xOURVc1phZFBYUT09

 

Meeting ID: 816 1210 8000
Passcode FLTWS

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Wilderness First Aid Training
Dec
5
to Dec 6

Wilderness First Aid Training

  • Wekiva Springs State Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Get 3 certifications in this two-day training: wilderness first Aid, Basic First Aid CPR & AED, & Stop the Bleed! Learn how to treat heat stroke, pack a wound, attend to broken bones and sprains, handle severe allergic reactions and more! Learn to use what you have around you in an emergency situation. Class is limited to 30 participants so secure your spot today! Click here for more info and to register.

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Nov
5
to Nov 9

Wildlife Society (National) 30th Annual Conference

The Wildlife Society’s 30th Annual Conference

November 5 – 9, 2023

The Wildlife Society will hold its 30th Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky between November 5-9, 2023. The Conference will include workshops and trainings, symposia, panel discussions, contributed oral presentations, contributed posters, and student research in progress posters.

TIMES LISTED HERE ARE APPROXIMATE. CONFERENCE AGENDA TO BE RELEASED AT A LATER DATE.

Click HERE to see the call for abstracts

Call for Abstracts

Deadline:  May 16, 2023 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time

The Wildlife Society’s 30th Annual Conference

November 5 – 9, 2023

The Wildlife Society will hold its 30th Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky between November 5-9, 2023. The Conference will include workshops and trainings, symposia, panel discussions, contributed oral presentations, contributed posters, and student research in progress posters. We invite you to submit abstracts for prospective contributed oral or poster presentations on topics of wildlife ecology, management, conservation, education, or policy.

Contributed Oral Presentations will be presented live and in-person in Louisville. Each oral presentation will be allotted 15 minutes, which includes 12 minutes for the presentation and three minutes for questions. Along with preparing a slide deck for their in-person presentation, contributed oral presenters will be required to upload a 12-minute video recording of their talk prior to the conference. Video presentations are due approximately one week before the conference and will be used to create a video archive of presentations at the conference, which will be available both during and following the event. The recorded format enhances accessibility of conference content.

Contributed Posters will be presented live and in-person in Louisville. Presenters will present a printed version of their poster at the conference. Along with preparing a printed poster for their in-person presentation, contributed presenters will be required upload a PDF version of their poster for asynchronous viewing through the mobile app and online. They will also have the option of uploading a short, recorded video summary of their poster.

Student Research in Progress Posters – All undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. students with research in progress can submit an abstract for this session. Abstracts submitted can include 1) research that is in progress; 2) a proposed research project (with a focus on study design); 3) results from completed undergraduate research projects; or 4) student chapter research projects that may not be appropriate for the regular poster sessions (these may include a class or group research project). Along with preparing a printed poster for their live, in-person presentation, SRIP presenters will be required upload a PDF version of their poster for asynchronous viewing and have the option of uploading a short, recorded video summary of their poster.

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Apr
25
to Apr 28

Prescribed Fire for Wildlife Class

PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE

April 25-28, 2023

FFA Leadership Training Center

5000 Firetower Road

Haines City, Florida 33844 

Sponsors:

Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Your sponsors and cooperators are pleased to again host “PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE” April 25-28, 2023, at the FFA Leadership Training Center located on Lake Pierce near Haines City, Florida. Attendees are encouraged to stay onsite with meals and lodging provided through the duration of the course. The Florida Chapter has reserved several ‘villas’ that include single and double occupancy bedrooms and a spacious common area in each villa.  If you require single occupancy, let us know and we will do our best to honor your request. This training is designed to provide land managers and wildlife stewards with basic information on wildlife habitat management practices associated with prescribed fires in Florida. It includes sections addressing how ignition plans can be developed and implemented to meet specific wildlife objectives while minimizing risk. This training combines classroom lectures, panel discussions, and field exercises covering a variety of wildlife and habitats. Classroom activities will be held at the Leadership Training Center. Field exercises will be held at nearby south Florida wildlands and will focus on how prescribed fire can improve and maintain valuable wildlife habitats.

Please click HERE to view the full course description and agenda.

The Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society is handling registration and because class size is limited, early registration is encouraged.  Basic Registration is $425.00 and full registration with all meals and lodging is $775.00. THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS 12 March 2023.  Register online via https://fltws.org/shop (state or federal pcards accepted).

UPDATE January 23, 2023 - REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. We are at capacity for the class, however we are accepting names on a wait list. Please contact Jim Schortemeyer (contact info below) or Monica Folk (monica.folk@fltws.org) to be placed on the waitlist. THANK YOU!

For additional information contact:   

Jim Schortemeyer  (239) 455-5847   Schortfire@aol.com

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Mar
22
to Mar 24

FLTWS 2023 Spring Meeting

  • Embassy Suites Baymeadows (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

FLTWS 2023 Spring Meeting

March 22 – 24, 2023

Embassy Suites Jacksonville Baymeadows

9300 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256

 

Make plans to join us for the first in-person Spring Meeting

of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society since 2019!

 

Theme: Climate Change Impacts on Florida Wildlife

Symposium: Wildlife and Natural Disasters: Case Studies

 Click here to go directly to the Conference & Registration page!

Room-rate is $96/suite

Registration is $125 for members, $155 for non-members.  

PUT IN YOUR TRAVEL REQUESTS NOW!

Join our Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/fltws

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Sep
15
to Sep 16

FLTWS 2022 Fall Workshop

FLTWS 2022 Fall Workshop

Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

100 8th Ave SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

 

September 15-16, 2022


 JOIN US for the annual fall meeting of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society. This year we will have a workshop focused on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (aka DRONES) and how they can potentially save us time and money in the field. You may be surprised to learn about all the applications now available to biologists and land managers. Topics will include:

Ø  The latest UAV legislation

Ø  Part 107 Drone Pilot requirements

Ø  Wildlife Monitoring on land and over water via UAVs

Ø  UAV Imagery & GIS Spatial Analysis

Ø  Prescribed fire application using UAVs

Ø  UAV Vegetation mapping

Ø  UAV herbicide applications

Ø  Drone & Machine Learning using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Ø  Comparison of UAVs versus traditional aviation – quality, cost effectiveness, and safety

Additionally, we will have a field trip on Friday to include demonstrations of both quad type and fixed wing drones. As a bonus, we will get an update on the highly pathogenic avian influenza.  Registration is $75 and that includes lunch and dinner. Overnight guests have a special rate of only $124/night at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.

AGENDA

 Day 1 - September 15th  FWRI, 100 8th Ave. SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

8:30 AM – Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society Fall Business Meeting

9:30 AM – Workshop Registration and Check-in

10:00 AM – Welcome by Maria, Tyler and Gill

10:15 AM – Unmanned Aerial Systems Overview and Regulation, Stacey Strickland, UF/IFAS Seminole County Extension

10:45 AM – Using UASs to Monitor Wading Birds in South Florida, Lindsey Garner, UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

11:15 AM – Coastal Manger Restoration Assessment Using UASs, Brittany Scharf, UF/IFAS Florida SeaGrant, Hernando County Extension

11:45 AM – Using UASs to Monitor Marine Mammals, Holly Edwards, FWRI, Marine Mammals

12:15 PM – Lunch (onsite)

1:00 PM – Drone and Wildlife Telemetry, Michael Shafer, Northern Arizona University (Zoom) https://uavrt.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TWS_18-Eye-in-the-Sky.pdf

1:30 PM – Introduction to UASs for habitat and Vegetation Management, Tyler Pittman, UF/IFAS Gilchrist County Extension

2:00 PM – UAS Data Management and Analysis, Brittany Bankovich, FWRI, Center for Spatial Analysis

2:30 PM – Utilizing UASs for Chemical Applications, Cody Cash, Leading Edge Aerial Technologies

3:00 PM – Using UASs to Apply Prescribed Fire, Keith Mousel, Florida Forest Service

3:30 PM – Panel discussion of the pros and cons of using UASs for wildlife and habitat management and monitoring.

4:30 PM – Adjourn to hotel and Dinner

6:00 PM – Dinner and Open Bar at the Hilton Bay Front Pool 

 

Day 2 - September 16th     Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

8:00 AM – Demonstrations – Fixed wing, quads, GIS, etc.

10:30 AM – UPDATE on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Its Impacts to Wild Birds in Florida, Mark Cunningham, FWRI

11:00 – View captive Birds of Prey at the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

12:00 – Adjourn or hike trails at the Preserve on your own

 

Link to registration:

https://fltws.org/shop/fltws-2022-fall-workshop SORRY, registration has now closed

 

Hotel reservations (follow this link to get the special FLTWS workshop rate):

https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=SPTSHHF&groupCode=FLTWS&arrivaldate=2022-09-14&departuredate=2022-09-17&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

 

Looking forward to seeing you all soon at the FLTWS 2022 Fall Meeting!

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FLTWS 2022 Spring Meeting
Mar
24
8:00 AM08:00

FLTWS 2022 Spring Meeting

FLTWS 2022 Spring Meeting

Thursday, March 24, 2022

VIRTUAL + FIELD TRIPS!

The annual Spring Meeting of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society will be held virtually on Thursday, March 24, followed by optional in-person field trips around the state (limited to small groups).

The meeting theme is Wildlife Movement: Natural and Unnatural.

Keynote will focus on Wildlife Corridors and the Symposium on Translocations.

Registration is only $45 for non-members, $35 for members (use discount code MEMBER during checkout), and $10 for students (use discount code STUDENT during checkout).

PLEASE NOTE: Registration deadline for the conference and the field trips is March 21.



AGENDA

Thursday, March 24

8:00 - 8:45      Virtual Morning Coffee Social with 7 different discussion rooms you can mingle in:

  • Prescribed Fire

  • Transportation Effects on Wildlife

  • FLTWS Questions, Concern, Suggestions for the President

  • Birds

  • Herps

  • Bats

  • Mammals (other than bats)

9:00-12:00      Symposium: Translocation (ABSTRACTS)

Get the latest information on the translocation efforts for several species throughout Florida and then engage with our presenters during a lively panel discussion.

9:00–9:05 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO TRANSLOCATION Karl E. Miller, Symposium Chair

9:05–9:25 POOR SURVIVAL OF CAPTIVE-REARED KEY LARGO WOODRATS RELEASED ON A CAT-FREE ISLAND Daniel Greene

9:25–9:40 SUCCESSFUL TRANSLOCATION OF THE FLORIDA SCRUB LIZARD IN PALM BEACH COUNTY Kevin Enge

9:40–10:00 EFFECTS OF TRANSLOCATION ON GOPHER FROG SURVIVAL AND MOVEMENT Traci Castellón and Anna Deyle

10:00–10:15 MONITORING THE SUCCESS OF GOPHER TORTOISE TRANSLOCATIONS IN FLORIDA Katharine Richardson

10:15–10:35 REINTRODUCTION OF BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES TO JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK Jim Cox

10:35–10:55 A SUCCESSFUL NEW METHOD FOR TRANSLOCATING FLORIDA SCRUB-JAY FAMILY GROUPS Karl E. Miller

10:55–11:15 TRANSLOCATION OF CAPTIVE-BRED FLORIDA GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS TO AUGMENT A WILD POPULATION Juan Oteyza

11:15–11:35 RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER TRANSLOCATION HISTORY AND FUTURE POTENTIAL CHALLENGES Will McDearman

11:35–12:00 TRANSLOCATION: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Panel Discussion with Q&A

12:15-12:55    Lunch

Speed Networking in the Lunchroom – You will be randomly paired with a fellow biologist for 3 minutes, then off you go to meet someone else! Great way to meet new people you may not otherwise have felt comfortable walking up to. Awesome way to reconnect with old friends you haven’t talked to in a while.

1:00-2:00        Keynote Speakers: The Florida Wildlife Corridor

Join conservation photographer and National Geographic explorer, Carlton Ward, and the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation’s Chief Conservation Officer, Jason Lauritsen, for an update on the progress to safeguard the critical landscape connections that sustain Florida’s best wild places.

2:00-2:55        Awards Presentations and Business Meeting

3:00-5:00       Technical Session (ABSTRACTS)

3:00–3:15 Movement patterns of wading birds as a mechanism linking freshwater wetlands and coastal ecosystems in the Greater Everglades. A. R. Sharp, D. E. Gawlik, M. Petersen. (STUDENT)

3:15–3:30 Pervasive invasives: Florida range limits for two priority nonnative reptiles. H. Bevan and D. Jenkins (STUDENT)

3:30–3:45 Water-works? Effects of hydrologic restoration on the foraging behavior of the endangered Florida bonneted bat. L. P. Nicholson, E. C. Braun de Torrez, H. K. Ober (STUDENT)

3:45–4:00 Are some bats snowbirds? The summer origins of tricolored bats overwintering in Florida caves. L. M. Smith, J. A. Gore, T. J. Doonan, and C. J. Campbell.

4:00–4:15 Effects of translocation on American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) movements and habitat use in South Florida. A. Brunell, V. Deem, C. Hackett, B. Bankovich, F. Bled, S. Farris, and F. J. Mazzotti

4:15–4:30 Efforts to reestablish a self-sustaining population of striped newts in the Apalachicola National Forest. R. C. Means and R. P. M. Means

4:30–4:45 Residential development and resource selection in urban Florida burrowing owls. E. H. White Rose and R. K. Boughton

4:45–5:00 A decade of population dynamics on two medium-sized Florida scrub-jay sites. M. Folk

5:15-6:00        Happy Hour!

Grab a beverage of your choice and chat with some of the biologists working in your local area. No topic, just an opportunity to find out what is happening in your neck of the woods (pun intended). Groups divided by region:

  • Northwest

  • North Central

  • Northeast

  • Central

  • Southwest

  • Southeast

              

FIELD TRIPS

In-person field trips will be held in small groups around the state to give members an opportunity to see some of the great projects going on within Florida’s corridors. This is also an opportunity to catch up with other members in person, in a safer outdoor setting than a large conference venue could allow. To minimize travel, trips are provided at a variety of locations. To minimize work and school conflict, trips are provided on a variety of days, including the weekends. A maximum of 10 people will be permitted per trip, with the exception of Archbold/Buck Island (min. 10, max 15). Pre-registration required, but there is no additional cost. Limit one trip per person. Summary of dates and times below, followed by detailed trip information.


Saturday, March 26

9:00-1:00        Bike Tour of the Cross Florida Greenway and Wildlife Corridor

Near Ocala (bring your own mountain bike)

9:00-Noon      Striped Newt Repatriation Project 1-Mile Hike

Apalachicola National Forest, meet near Tallahassee

       

Friday, April 1

9:00-Noon      Wetland Preserve Golf Cart Tour

Near Rice Creek Conservation Area in Palatka


Saturday, April 2

9:00-11:00      Apalachicola National Forest 4X4 Tour

Meet in Bristol (bring your own 4X4 truck or make plans to ride with someone on the trip that has one)

9:00-12:30      Swamp Buggy Tour of St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park – Fellsmere  


Sunday, April 3

9:00am - 4:00 pm      Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch

Morning tour of Archbold Biological Station, then buggy tour of Buck Island Ranch after lunch (bring your own lunch).


Field Trips:

Wetland Preserve. Friday, April 1st 9:00- Noon

Come meet two amazing stewards of land and conservation Ben and Louann Williams, Florida’s Land Steward of the Year in 2019, Project Learning Tree UFs Partner of the Year in 2020 and Florida Tree Farm of the Year in 2021. Just to name a few of their accomplishments. Come see this  beautiful 3,700-acre private parcel that sits in the center of a unique wildlife corridor in North Central Florida. This wildlife corridor is 100-miles-long and not yet fully protected. A partnership of 25 Federal, State, non-government organizations, as well as private landowners, led by the North Florida Land Trust, are all coming together to complete a mission of protecting and connecting this corridor. This private property is an excellent example of coordination and partnerships. Come hear the experience of these landowners helping to connect this wildlife corridor and travel the property to see the experimental management techniques and partner building they have done over the years.  This property also accesses St. Johns River Water Management District’s Rice Creek Conservation Area, that holds some of the largest Cypress trees that are accessible by a walking trail.

Apalachicola National Forest. Saturday, April 2nd 9:00am -11:00am  All wheel needed!

Come visit this amazing North Florida National Forest. Home to some of the most unique animal and plant species in the world. Visit the forest with the Forest Service biologist Brenton Holt and learn about their land management techniques that are restoring and maintaining areas for their unique species.  Take a glimpse at creative management areas that are creating corridors for safe passage of Red Cockaded Woodpeckers between healthy and damaged forest areas after hurricane damage.  Please bring an all-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicle to travers the forest during this field trip.

Bike Tour of the Cross Florida Greenway and Wildlife Corridor. Saturday, March 26th 9:00am-1:00pm  Mountain Bike needed!

This field trip will be on bikes!  Located near Ocala just off I-75 you will enjoy a chance to travel through multiple wildlife crossings that help to connect the Cross Florida Greenway.   This mountain biking tour will encounter two county road underpasses as well as a large overpass over I-75.  The tour will be on single track trails starting at the Land Bridge Trailhead on SW 16th Avenue in Ocala and venturing 9 miles to the underpass at State Road 484.  You will be led by Robin Boughton, the leader of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s  Wildlife Research Program. Robin will talk about wildlife that has been documented by game cameras using these wildlife crossings, as well as the history of the Cross Florida Barge Canal that once was plotted to cross Florida in this exact location.

Bring your mountain bike, helmet, water, and snacks. Come and enjoy a day tracing the path of history that is now connecting wildlife and people to conservation lands in North Central Florida.

Striped Newt Repatriation Project in Apalachicola National Forest. Saturday, March 26th 9:00am-12:00pm

Rebecca Means of Coastal Plains Institute (CPI) will guide us on a 1 mile hike through the longleaf pine forest to their research site in the Apalachicola National Forest and share details of their striped newt repatriation project.  Depending on rainfall and water levels, we may check pitfall traps that capture amphibians moving into and out of the wetlands including, if we are lucky, the rare striped newt.  If we are unlucky, we will still have the opportunity to see some great inverts, carnivorous plants, and other sandhills fauna and flora.  We may also have the opportunity to dipnet an ephemeral wetland and learn more about the species that depend on these unique landscape features.

 Directions: We will meet a 9:00 am off of Crawfordville Hwy:    From Tallahassee, drive 1.5 miles south on Crawfordville Hwy from Cap Circle to the intersection with Rivers Road.  Use the left turn lane to make a U-turn so you are heading back north up Crawfordville Hwy. Turn right just after crossing the bridge over Munson Slough (there is a brown sign just before the bridge).  Don’t be tempted to go to the street after, that actually has a street sign…We will meet at the large retention pond where there is plenty of room to park. 

St Sebastian River Preserve State Park. Saturday, April 2nd 9:00am - 12:30pm

St. Sebastian River Preserve is home to over 50 protected species. Come travel by swamp buggy with your amazing leader Samantha McGee, the state parks Environmental Specialist for the last 20 years!  She will drive you to the northeast quadrant of this state park to learn about their restoration and management efforts that have contributed to the success of their Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) population recovery, and also made it possible to become a translocation donor population for brown-headed nuthatches. This totally cool state park with even cooler employees will be a beautiful location to hear their stories of translocation: from being a recipient population for RCWs, to being a donor population for brown-headed nuthatches. Please bring your own drinking water for your trip as well as hats and sunscreen.

Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch, Sunday, April 3rd 9:00am - 4:00pm

Archbold Biological Station and the Archbold Reserve comprise a 8,840-acre preserve located in the Florida scrub, and in the headwaters of the Everglades, making it one of the most distinctive natural habitats in the United States. Nearby Buck Island Ranch is a 10.5-thousand-acre cow-calf operation with a mission of ecological, economic, and cultural sustainability. Both sites are known for their long-term and groundbreaking research focused on the organisms and environments of the Lake Wales Ridge. Join the Station’s Predator Prey Program Director, Joe Guthrie (and Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition member), as well as Executive Director, Dr. Hilary Swain, on a tour of both Archbold and Buck Island. In the morning, attendees will learn about Archbold’s history of research, conservation, and education, and hike through one of America’s most endangered habitats, the Florida scrub. After lunch, the group will take a buggy tour of Buck Island Ranch. Possible species to see include crested caracara, Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, feral hog, white-tailed deer, and more.

 

Itinerary

9:00 AM: Arrival, introductions at Station, Frances Archbold Hufty Learning Center (123 Main Drive, Venus, FL)

9:15: Discuss the Florida Wildlife Corridor, Corridor Observatory, camera traps with Predator Prey Program Director, Joe Guthrie

10:00: Walking tour/hike of Station, see some camera locations, habitats with Executive Director, Hilary Swain and Joe Guthrie

12:00: Lunch (bring your own) at Learning Center (Closest food options are 15 minutes or more, please bring a lunch!)

1:00: Drive to Buck Island Ranch (transportation not provided to Ranch, take your own cars, entrance is 10.5 miles from Archbold)

1:30: Buggy tour of Ranch with Hilary Swain (approximately 2.5 hours)

4:00-ish: Depart Buck Island Ranch

Participants must also register on the Archbold website and sign a Release of Liability. After completing your FLTWS registration for the field trip, please visit https://www.archbold-station.org/html/temp/onlnsem/ws_4322.html to sign the release for Archbold.

A minimum of 10 attendees required for field trip to occur and up to 15 total. Cost to members is free but individual donations to Archbold are possible, if desired, through their website when signing the release waiver.

Conference Registration is $45

USE Discount Code MEMBER for $35 price or STUDENT for $10 price

Field trips are free with registration

Discount option appears on final check out screen when you enter payment info.

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Oct
8
to Oct 10

Virtual Joint Meeting of the Florida Ornithological Society and the Florida Wildlife Society

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 8-10, 2021

Barn Owl Nestlings - Maria Zondervan.JPG

On October 8-10, the Florida Chapter of TWS will be holding a virtual joint meeting with the Florida Ornithological Society (FOS). Friday (Oct 8) will consist of bird technique virtual workshops (10am-1pm) and respective member meetings (2-4pm). Saturday (Oct 9) will include student research presentations (10am-1pm) and keynote speakers along with a traditional Bird Skin Quiz with prizes (2-5pm). Sunday (Oct 10) is a virtual Birding Challenge using eBird (again, with prizes).

 We are asking for presenters to send abstracts (no more than 250 words) to the FOS VP Mary Mack (graymarymack@gmail.com) by September 25. These will be for 10-minute talks for students (open to both undergrad and grad) and 15-minute talks for professionals. Student presenters are eligible for prizes, and abstracts will be published in the next edition of the Florida Field Naturalist. Feel free to contact Mary Mack for more information or questions. Please share widely, all presenters on wildlife or bird conservation topics are welcome! 

In the last week of September, we will send out the full meeting agenda with a link to register. There is no cost for the conference. Zoom links will be sent out to registrants for each section’s activities. Prizes will be mailed out to winners of each competition.

Fill out the form below to register:

View Event →
Mar
23
9:00 AM09:00

2021 Spring Conference

Save the date!

This will be a virtual conference and will include he announcement of new board members, winners of Scholarships and Awards, acknowledgement of sponsors, and a general business meeting. There will be no charge for this conference.

More details will be forthcoming…

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Managing for Diversity Across Florida's Unique Landscapes 2020
Apr
14
to Apr 15

Managing for Diversity Across Florida's Unique Landscapes 2020

Description

This workshop introduces participants to land management and restoration approaches for conserving biodiversity in Florida. Participants will:

  • Identify factors responsible for Florida's high biodiversity

  • Discover sources of information on biodiversity in Florida

  • Develop an understanding of threats to biodiversity and strategies that can be used to abate these threats

  • Compare ways to control invasive and non-native plant/animal species that threaten Florida's biodiversity

  • Learn how to prioritize which invasive species are most deserving of early treatment

  • Learn about the role of restoration in maintaining biodiversity over the long term

  • Learn to use hydrologic indicators to evaluate wetlands

  • Use an established monitoring protocol to assess trends in biodiversity over time

More info here

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POSTPONED due to COVID19 2020 FLTWS Spring Conference
Mar
25
to Mar 27

POSTPONED due to COVID19 2020 FLTWS Spring Conference

The annual Spring Conference of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society will take place 25-27 of March, 2020 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Jacksonville Baymeadows. The theme of the conference will be Diversity: In Our Wildlife and Our Profession.

Join us for the annual Spring Meeting of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society in Jacksonville, late March 2020. The Meeting will include a symposium, Chapter business meeting, networking socials, student interaction activities, keynote speakers, technical sessions, poster session, banquet dinner, awards ceremony, and several field trips.

The Meeting will be 25-27 March 2020 at the Embassy Suites, 9300 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256. The special meeting room rate is $94 per night (2-room suite). Please reference “The Wildlife Society Florida Chapter” or group code “WSF” when reserving by phone at 1-904-899-9517 or online at FLTWS Room Reservations 2020. Our room block will fill quickly and expire on 28 February 2020; make your room reservations now. You may cancel up to 48 hours prior to March 25 and still receive a full refund, so book now to be safe.

The conference theme is Diversity: In Our Wildlife and Our Profession. Papers and posters dealing with any wildlife-related topic are encouraged, including ecology, economics, management, restoration, risk assessment, policy and regulation, evolutionary biology, new ideas, and inter-disciplinary projects. Continuing education credits will be available. The deadline for submitting presentation and poster abstracts is 17 February 2020. Abstracts will be included in a meeting program booklet; proceedings will not be published. For more information, including submission details and guidelines, please visit Call For Papers.

STUDENTS - Papers and posters from students are greatly encouraged, with cash prizes for the best student paper ($150) and best student poster ($75). Additional incentives include a prize for the student interaction activity, reduced registration fee, and FREE double occupancy room stay (volunteer time required). Contact Monica Folk at monica.folk@fltws.org for more information on options and to sign up for free lodging.

PROFESSIONALS - Non-student travel grants are available. See Travel Grant for application and submission instructions, due by 21 February 2020.

REGISTRATION – Register online here. (Prices include conference program, evening socials, morning coffee, meeting breaks/snacks, and Thursday banquet. Three Friday morning field trips are available (limited to 25 each) with registration.

·      Students - $65 prior to February 29; $85 after February 29

·      Members - $100 prior to February 29; $120 after February 29

·      Nonmembers - $130 prior to February 29; $150 after February 29

-Onsite registration is $150. Banquet dinners for additional guests can be purchased for $30.

-A $25 cancellation fee will apply to registrations cancelled after March 15.

***EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS 28 February 2020***

Sponsors - The FLTWS Meeting is a great opportunity to build relationships and support wildlife research and management by registering as an exhibitor and/or sponsor. Sponsor opportunities include door prizes, silent auction items, refreshment breaks, education/research grants, and field trip coordination, just to name a few. If you have additional questions, please contact Mark Ausley, Fundraising Co-Chair at mark.ausley@fltws.org.

-----------------

DRAFT AGENDA (times and content subject to change)

Wednesday, March 25

11:00am          Registration (Atrium), Poster setup (Jacksonville)

                        Lunch on your own

1:00pm            Symposium: Diversity in the Wildlife Profession (Nassau)

3:30pm            Break

4:00pm            Business Meeting: all encouraged to attend-Prizes!! (Nassau)

5:30pm            Networking Social (Atrium) / Raffle (Flagler)

                        Dinner on your own

Thursday, March 26

                        Breakfast on your own (hotel provided)

8:30am            Plenary Session I: Maintaining Wildlife Diversity through Policy (Nassau)

10:00am          Break

10:30am          Plenary Session II: Maintaining Diversity through Corridor Conservation (Nassau)

11:30am          Lunch on your own (hotel provided buffet for small additional cost)

1:00pm            Concurrent Technical Sessions (St. Johns/Nassau)

2:40pm            Break

3:00pm            Concurrent Technical Sessions (St. Johns/Nassau)

5:30pm            Poster Session Social (Atrium/Jacksonville) / Silent Auction (Flagler)

7:00pm            Banquet and Awards Ceremony

Friday, March 27

                        Breakfast on your own (hotel provided)

8:00am            Field trip to Huegenot Park– shorebird identification

8:15am            Field trip to Pumpkin Hill – habitat management and restoration

8:30am            Field trip to Jacksonville Zoo – behind the scenes

Noon              Adjourn

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Mar
23
to Mar 26

CANCELED due to COVID19 Prescribed Fire Techniques for Wildlife

20080917_prescribed_fire_10.jpg

Your sponsors are pleased to once again host “PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE” March 23-26, 2020 at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp located in West Palm Beach, Florida. Attendees are encouraged to register and stay onsite with meals and ‘dormitory style’ lodging provided. This training is designed to provide land managers and wildlife stewards with basic information on wildlife habitat management opportunities associated with prescribed fires in Florida. It includes sections addressing how ignition plans can be developed and implemented to meet specific wildlife objectives while minimizing risk. Classroom activities will be held at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp, 12100 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33412. This training combines classroom lectures, panel discussions, and field exercises covering a variety of wildlife and habitats. Field exercises will be held at nearby south Florida wildlands focusing on how prescribed fire can improve and maintain valuable wildlife habitats.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 12 March 2020

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

PRESCRIBED FIRE/WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES

1. Review and understand basic habitat management principles as they relate to fire.
2. Review standard habitat management and prescribed fire practices for selected wildlife species.
3. Prescribed fire recommendations for panther and bear in Florida.
4. Prescribed fire recommendations for quail and other small game.
5. Prescribed fire recommendations for turkey.
6. Prescribed fire recommendations for the bald eagle and red cockaded woodpecker.
7. Case studies of specific habitat management programs emphasizing prescribed fire in Florida.

IGNITION PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
1. Review and understand fire intensity and its relationship to wildlife impacts.
2. Explore methods to regulate intensity.
3. Discuss specific ignition techniques for a variety of habitats and fire return intervals.
4. Techniques and special considerations for re establishment of short return intervals in fire deprived habitats.
5. Review specific examples of problems and solutions associated with prescribed fires for wildlife in Florida.

 

Click here for full agenda

REGISTRATION

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UF Student Chapter of TWS 37th Annual Beast Feast
Feb
15
5:00 PM17:00

UF Student Chapter of TWS 37th Annual Beast Feast

The UF Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society is at it again! We are hosting our annual wild game dinner, Beast Feast, at Cypress & Grove Brewing Co. on Saturday, February 15th from 5-8 PM.

We will be serving up wild game and invasive species including hog, venison, quail, pheasant, and more, all cooked by Rollin’ Smokes BBQ!

Beast Feast is our organization's main fundraiser providing Wildlife Ecology and Conservation students at UF with professional development opportunities, such as funding for conferences.

We will have great food, live educational animals, informational booths about conservation, a raffle, and a silent auction to win a bow from Bear Archery!

Come join us for a night of live, local music and great company.

Student discount codes are available by email to ufwildlifesociety@gmail.com.

Buy tickets here before they sell out!

Flyer for event

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2019 Fall Meeting- Upland Plant Community Workshop
Sep
10
9:30 AM09:30

2019 Fall Meeting- Upland Plant Community Workshop

Join us for a one-day workshop on uplands. Learn about the dominant upland plant communities of central Florida, typical plant and animal species within these communities, tree identification and ecology, general botanical terminology, land management techniques and responses to fire. Then head outdoors to explore the natural communities on the UCF campus and get hands-on training on community ecology. No experience necessary. Classroom session 9:30am-noon, lunch provided onsite, field portion 1-4pm.  

Register here!

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Apr
10
to Apr 12

Spring Conference of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society

The annual Spring Conference of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society will take place 10-12 April 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront (https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza). The theme of the conference will be A Celebration of 50 years of the Florida Chapter: Wildlife Professionals Making a Difference.

 

Click here for more information.

 

Mark your calendar today and start making plans to join us at the FLTWS 2019 Spring Conference!

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Prescribed Fire for Wildlife
Feb
26
to Feb 28

Prescribed Fire for Wildlife

PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE WORKSHOP

February 26-28, 2019

This training is for private landowners interested in improving the habitat they provide for wildlife by incorporating prescribed fire in their land management program.

North Florida Research and Education Center Quincy, Florida

Sponsors: Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
University of Florida, IFAS
155 Research Rd Quincy, Florida 32351

We are pleased to announce plans for Florida’s 2019 Prescribed Fire for Wildlife class. This class is designed for private landowners interested in providing better wildlife habitat by incorporating prescribed fire in their land management program. Our overall theme for this class is “Prescribed Fire & Wildlife Stewardship: Promoting Excellence in all Operational Phases”. Please take a moment to review the agenda and mark the dates on your calendar.
The event will take place at the North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy Campus. The NFREC is located just north of Interstate 10 at exit 181, at 155 Research Rd. From I-10, take Exit #181 (SR-267), and drive north approximately ¼ mile. The entrance to NFREC is on the left at Research Road. Enter through the gate and follow signs to the main building. The training will take place in the seminar room near the main entrance.
This class will provide a comprehensive learning experience through lectures, panel discussions, and field exercises on local private lands. A series of presentations by experienced prescribed burners and wildlife biologists will cover fundamental topics. Panel discussions with experts will encourage information exchange based on proven practices and principles for managing Florida wildlife habitats. Field exercises will allow participants to work in small groups to begin incorporating ideas into their prescribed fire operations through effective planning.

AGENDA

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Feb
23
5:00 PM17:00

36th Annual Beast Feast


The University of Florida's Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society is holding their 36th Annual Beast Feast this Saturday, February 23rd at Cypress and Grove Brewing Company in Gainesville, FL. The event is an all-you-can-eat, buffet-style wild game dinner, featuring species such as hog, lionfish, python, red stag, and more! This is the club's main source of funding which helps provide UF wildlife ecology students with professional development opportunities. There will be live music, living animals, and educational materials about the benefits of hunting to wildlife and habitat management. 

Ticket sales can be found at https://guestli.st/589980, and more information about the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/2327333567500163/?active_tab=about.

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Nov
1
to Nov 2

FLTWS 2018 Fall Meeting

Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society 2018 Fall Meeting, 1-2 November 2018 Gold Head Branch State Park and Jennings State Forest, Keystone Heights, FL

2018_FLTWS_FallMeeting_SaveTheDate.jpg

 

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page, as there are multiple options to choose from!

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Apr
11
to Apr 13

FLTWS 2018 Spring Conference

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FLTWS 2018 Spring Meeting
11-13 April 2018
Plantation in Crystal River

***EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS 12 March 2018***

 

The Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society will hold its annual Spring Meeting at the Planation, 9301 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL, 34429. The special meeting room rate is $91 per night with a valid tax exempt certificate. Our room block will be held until 11 March 2018, so make your room reservations soon! Rooms can be reserved HERE

The conference theme is Managing Florida’s Coastal Resources, but papers and posters dealing with any wildlife-related topic are encouraged, including ecology, economics, management, restoration, risk assessment, policy, evolutionary biology, and interdisciplinary projects. Continuing education credits will be offered for the meeting. Social events will include a networking social on Wednesday, poster session mixer, and the popular awards ceremony banquet dinner on Thursday. There will be a special pre-conference scavenger hunt by kayak on Wednesday morning. Friday includes your choice of three concurrent activities: a workshop on the use of 3D printing for science or one of two field trips to local natural areas.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL CONFERENCE INFO AND REGISTRATION

 

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Oct
19
8:30 AM08:30

Duff Fire Science and Management Workshop

Join the Southern Fire Exchange and our workshop partners (USDA Forest Service, Tall Timbers Research Station, FSU Coastal and Marine Lab and the Apalachicola Regional Stewardship Alliance) as we bridge the gap between science and management when it comes to issues related to duff fires in southeastern upland ecosystems. Presentations at this one day workshop will include the latest science and management information related to pine mortality associated with fires in sites with heavy duff loads.

After a catered lunch we’ll visit a nearby long-unburned longleaf stand that has a heavy duff accumulation to discuss strategies, science and options for management success.

What: Workshop and Field Visit on Duff Fire Science and Management

Who: Land Managers, Consultants, Researchers, Landowners, Students

When: Thurs. Oct. 19, 2017 8:30 - 3:30 PM ET

Where: FSU Marine Lab. St. Teresa, Florida

SAF CFE Credit Expected. Lunch, snacks and materials will be provided. Hurry! Seats are limited and registration ends Oct. 13th.

Click Here for More Details and to Register

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FLTWS Grass Identification Workshop
Oct
18
to Oct 19

FLTWS Grass Identification Workshop

Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society Grass Identification Workshop

October 18-19, 2017

UF-IFAS Range Cattle REC

3401 Experiment Station

Ona, FL 33865

 

This 2-day workshop will be taught by Brent Sellers and Greg Hendricks, and will include indoor and outdoor classroom exercises in identification and management of native and invasive grasses in Central Florida. 

Registration is $35.00 for FLTWS members, $15.00 for students, and $60.00 for non-members.  Class size is limited so please register soon. The deadline for registration is October 11, 2017, but late registration may be allowed if slots are still available at a cost of $70.00.

 

An agenda can be downloaded by clicking here

LODGING: Local lodging may be found at the Best Western Heritage Inn & Suites in Bowling Green for $90/night Govt Rate; or Holiday Inn Express in Arcadia for $106/night Govt Rate. Both hotels are approximately 20 miles from meeting location. Reservations can be made by calling the hotels directly: Best Western: 863-773-2378; Holiday Inn: 863-494-5900. There are no designated room blocks.

Hosted by:

UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences:
Range Cattle Research & Education Center
Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society

SPEAKER INFORMATION

Capt. Greg Hendricks owns and operates Florida Eco Enterprises, LLC which focuses on ecological consulting and ecological boat tours. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Rangeland Ecosystems Management from the University of Florida, and has 34 years of experience with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida and Washington DC as a Rangeland Specialist and State Resource Conservationist. Today, he provides rangeland ecology, pasture management and grazing system recommendations to NRCS on their conservation easement properties and assists the USFWS on rangeland evaluations for the Florida grasshopper sparrow.  He is active with the Florida Native Plant Society, Sea Turtle Preservation Society - Stranding Team, Florida Master Naturalist Program, and the central Brevard County U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Contact Information: Phone: (352) 339-1148

Email: Gatorgregh@gmail.com  

Dr. Brent A. Sellers is an Associate Professor of Agronomy, specializing in Weed Science at the University of Florida-IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center.  He is a native of Bourbon, Indiana and received his B.S. degree in Biology and M.S. degree in Botany and Plant Pathology (Weed Science specialization) from Purdue University in 1995 and 1999, respectively.  He received his Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003.  Dr. Sellers joined the department of Agronomy at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center in 2004 with the responsibilities of weed management in pastures, rangeland, natural areas, and rights-of-way, including biology and management of non-native, invasive species. He has served on numerous committees within the University of Florida including the UF-IFASInvasive Plant Working Group and serves as a member on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Committee. He is the author or co-author of 42 journal articles, 54 Extension fact sheets, and 79 non-refereed trade journal articles. Dr. Sellers has received numerous awards during his career including The Florida Cattlemen’s Researcher of the Year, The Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents Extension Specialist of the Year, UF-IFAS Extension Dallas Townsend Extension Professional Enhancement Award, and the Sadler Distinguished Professional and Enhancement Award for his contributions to clientele in the state of Florida.

Contact Information: Phone: (863) 735-1314 x207; Mobile: (863) 441-3064

Email: sellersb@ufl.edu

Dr. Raoul Boughton spent 5 years with Archbold biological station determining how best to encourage wildlife and promote conservation efforts on Florida ranches. He has been with UF IFAS Range Cattle and Education Center since 2014, working on the impacts of feral swine and coyotes on ranchlands. Rangeland Scientist | Wildlife Assistant Professor Department of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation University of Florida – IFAS | Range Cattle Research and Education Center 3401 Experiment Station | Ona, Florida 33865

Contact Information: Phone: (863) 735 1314 ext. 216; Mobile: (863) 840 3678

Email: rboughton@ufl.edu

Dr. Elizabeth “Betsey” Boughton is the research director of Archbold Biological Station’s MacArthur Agroecology Research Center (MAERC) in Lake Placid, FL.  MAERC is operated as a commercial cattle ranch that serves as a research platform to investigate ecological and economic challenges on working landscapes.  Betsey facilitates visiting researchers and graduate students on MAERC as well as maintaining an active research program on community structure and ecosystem function of wetlands and grasslands.  In addition, Betsey manages several long-term ecological monitoring projects including surface water monitoring on thousands of acres of ranchlands in the Northern Everglades.

Contact Information Phone: (863) 699-02421 ext. 2 | Mobile: (863) 840-3673
Email: eboughton@archbold-station.org

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Oct
13
to Oct 15

Florida Birding and Nature Festival

Hillsborough Community College, South Shore Campus will again host the 2107 Florida Birding and Nature Festival Friday, October 13-Sunday, October 15, 2017. The 3-day day festival will be held on the college’s campus in Ruskin, and features local and national bird, butterfly, and reptile experts presenting interesting seminars and leading field trips to nature parks and preserves throughout West Central Florida  during the peak of the fall bird migration. 

Social events with keynote speakers will be held October 13, 14, and 15 at the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin.  A kick-off gathering will be held at the Tiki Bar in Little Harbor, Ruskin on Thursday evening.  The Friday and Saturday event tickets include dinner and social hour at 5:30 pm followed by the presentation. Sunday’s social includes lunch and a panel presentation.

Festival goers choose from among 35 seminars on topics from Tegu lizards and tarpon to diamondback terrapins; bird identification and rehabilitation; landscaping to attract wildlife, and the basics of nature photography.

Half-day field trips will span coastal to inland  destinations in five-county region –  including Celery Fields in Sarasota, Perico Preserve in Manatee County, major restoration sites in Hillsborough County, Audubon’s  Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary; Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge; Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County and Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County.  Boat trips include a search for diamondback terrapins, shorebirds at Outback Key, and wading birds at Alafia Banks.  Two wagon trips, one exclusively for families, will tour Lower Green Swamp Preserve.

Registration for the field trips ranges from $30 to $65, with a special rate for students. Children under 12 are free and a special children’s program will be held on Saturday, October 14.  Online registration is available at www.fbnfestival.org. 

Event attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the free Nature Expo, featuring local businesses, optics, bird tours, book sellers, and nature related craft, art and gifts. 

Dr. James ‘Buddy’ Powell, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Sea to Shore Alliance, will give a keynote presentation Friday evening on the recovery and on-going efforts to maintain the manatee population.

Resee Collins, Eagle & Rehabilitation Permit Coordinator for the Southeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), will keynote the Saturday evening session.  Her presentation will highlight the natural history and recovery of the Bald Eagle in Florida through a combined approach of wildlife rehabilitation, ongoing research, citizen science, and state/federal regulatory permitting, including interesting ‘eagle stories’.  A live eagle is promised to be in attendance at the Festival!

Sunday after lunch at 1:00 pm a panel of state experts will offer insights into the value of a healthy ecosystem to the community.  Besides the economic impacts of ecotourism, a growing body of research indicates significant financial value through ecosystem services and savings in health care costs. Learn the economic arguments for environmental protection from an engaging panel of experts. This should be of special interest to anyone interested in protecting and promoting our environment.  Local government officials are especially encouraged to attend. 

Current sponsors include TECO, Tampa, Clearwater, St Petersburg, Sarasota, Manatee and Eagle Audubon Societies, Hillsborough Community College South Shore, Hubbard’s Marina, Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management, Little Harbor and more.

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Advanced GIS Workshop: Python scripting and GIS Programming
Jun
12
to Jun 15

Advanced GIS Workshop: Python scripting and GIS Programming

Upcoming GIS Workshops at Tall Timbers Research Station

 

Tall Timbers Research Station is hosting 2 GIS workshops this Spring/Summer.

 12 – 15 June 2017   – Advanced GIS Workshop: Python scripting and GIS Programming

 

Please visit our website for more information and for an application form. 

Note: There is a maximum number of workshop participants for each workshop so reserve your spot soon!

            A limited amount of on-site lodging will also be available!!

 

Instructors:                 Theron M. Terhune, PhD, GISp & Joe Noble, GIS Specialist

Course Website:         http://www.gis.ttrs.org/GISHome.html

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GIS Workshop: Applied Geospatial Solutions in Natural Resources
May
22
to May 25

GIS Workshop: Applied Geospatial Solutions in Natural Resources

Upcoming GIS Workshops at Tall Timbers Research Station

 

Tall Timbers Research Station is hosting 2 GIS workshops this Spring/Summer.

 

22 – 25 May 2017 – GIS Workshop: Applied Geospatial Solutions in Natural Resources

 

Please visit our website for more information and for an application form. 

Note: There is a maximum number of workshop participants for each workshop so reserve your spot soon!

            A limited amount of on-site lodging will also be available!!

 

Instructors:                 Theron M. Terhune, PhD, GISp & Joe Noble, GIS Specialist

Course Website:         http://www.gis.ttrs.org/GISHome.html

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May
18
8:00 AM08:00

Managing for diversity across Florida’s Unique Landscape

Managing for diversity across Florida’s Unique Landscape

This workshop builds understanding of management and restoration approaches for conserving biodiversity; Participants will:

·         Develop a monitoring plan that assesses trends in biodiversity over time

·         Learn about the role of restoration in maintaining biodiversity over the long term

·         Compare ways to control invasive and non-native plant/animal species that threaten Florida's biodiversity

·         Learn how to prioritize which invasive species are most deserving of early treatment

·         Identify factors responsible for Florida's high biodiversity

·         Discover sources of information on biodiversity in Florida

·         Understand threats to biodiversity and strategies that can be used to abate these threats

·         Become aware of biodiversity protection laws and how environmental laws are enforced

 

Presented in a hybrid format (both the online and in-person trainings are required)

In-person Training: One day in-person training on May 18, 2017 at Morningside Nature Center in Gainesville FL

Pre-coursework Online: Approximately 16 hours, to be completed at your own pace between April 3 - May 12, 2017.

Registration Fee: $225 (includes lunch, coffee, snacks; does not include lodging)

Note: Group registration rates may be available for one employer registering >2 participants — please contact the workshop coordinator for details

For more information and to register for this workshop, go HERE

To learn more about the Natural Areas Training Academy, go to our website

For more information, contact:

Shelly Johnson, Workshop Coordinator

Natural Areas Training Academy

(850) 875-7153

shelly.johnson@ufl.edu

http://wec.ufl.edu/nata

 

Natural Areas Training Academy in its 17th year of training land managers!

The mission of the Natural Areas Training Academy (aka “NATA”) is to create a network of land managers with current knowledge and skills to conserve Florida’s resources. Nearly two decades ago, a group of visionary natural resource professionals recognized the value of developing a standardized training program for natural areas managers in Florida. These enterprising individuals convened a group of experienced land management professionals representing numerous agencies and organizations to summarize the expertise and skills they believed job candidates would need to be competitive for jobs, which was then packaged into a series of multi-day workshops. To meet the demand for trained personnel, the Natural Areas Training Academy was developed to deliver these workshops through a partnership of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The University of Florida/IFAS Extension.

NATA welcomes anyone with an interest in natural areas to attend individual workshops or complete the certificate program. Each course bring together regional natural areas management experts from numerous agencies and organizations to provide training and share experiences with less experienced natural areas managers.  Courses are typically 2 days in-person (plus 8 hours online) and held throughout the state. In 2016, there were 123 participants representing more than 40 organizations, including all levels of government agencies (state, federal, county, and city), private consulting firms, military, universities, non-profits and the private sector.

The Certificate in Natural Areas Management is offered by NATA to individuals who complete a series of 5 ‘core’ certificate courses covering the topics identified as most important by practitioners in the field. The series may be completed in any order, and there is no time limit to complete the series.

 

 

 

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May
3
to May 4

Managing Visitors and Volunteers in Natural Areas

Managing Visitors and Volunteers in Natural Areas

This workshop provides guidance on how to integrate visitors and volunteers into natural areas management; Participants will:

  • Learn to effectively and appropriately plan recreation opportunities (trails, facilities, etc.) for visitor use
  • Create effective and informative interpretation for visitors
  • Develop an understanding of benefits and challenges of managing a volunteer program
  • Learn about the types of trainings and legal issues required for a volunteer program
  • Learn how to recruit volunteers and the important elements of volunteer job descriptions
  • Apply knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines to develop new facilities and evaluate existing ones

 

Presented in a hybrid format (both the online and in-person trainings are required)

In-person Training: Two day in-person training on May 3 & 4, 2017 at Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights, FL (email coordinator for detailed agenda).

Pre-coursework Online:  Approximately 8 hours, to be completed at your own pace between April 3 - 28, 2017.

Registration Fee: $275 (includes lunches, coffee, snacks; does not include lodging)

Note: Group registration rates may be available for one employer registering >2 participants — please contact the workshop coordinator for details

For more information and to register for this workshop, go HERE

To learn more about the Natural Areas Training Academy, go to our website

For more information, contact:

Shelly Johnson, Workshop Coordinator

Natural Areas Training Academy

(850) 875-7153

shelly.johnson@ufl.edu

http://wec.ufl.edu/nata

 

Natural Areas Training Academy in its 17th year of training land managers!

The mission of the Natural Areas Training Academy (aka “NATA”) is to create a network of land managers with current knowledge and skills to conserve Florida’s resources. Nearly two decades ago, a group of visionary natural resource professionals recognized the value of developing a standardized training program for natural areas managers in Florida. These enterprising individuals convened a group of experienced land management professionals representing numerous agencies and organizations to summarize the expertise and skills they believed job candidates would need to be competitive for jobs, which was then packaged into a series of multi-day workshops. To meet the demand for trained personnel, the Natural Areas Training Academy was developed to deliver these workshops through a partnership of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The University of Florida/IFAS Extension.

NATA welcomes anyone with an interest in natural areas to attend individual workshops or complete the certificate program. Each course bring together regional natural areas management experts from numerous agencies and organizations to provide training and share experiences with less experienced natural areas managers.  Courses are typically 2 days in-person (plus 8 hours online) and held throughout the state. In 2016, there were 123 participants representing more than 40 organizations, including all levels of government agencies (state, federal, county, and city), private consulting firms, military, universities, non-profits and the private sector.

The Certificate in Natural Areas Management is offered by NATA to individuals who complete a series of 5 ‘core’ certificate courses covering the topics identified as most important by practitioners in the field. The series may be completed in any order, and there is no time limit to complete the series.

 

 

 

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