Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2017

ABOUT THE PLENARY SPEAKERS:

WHY WE NEED PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATIVES | John F. Organ, Ph.D.
John is the Chief of the USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units. He was Chief of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration for the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 2005 to 2014, and previously worked in the FWS’s Ecological Services and National Wildlife Refuge programs. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Michigan State University, and Andres Bello University in Santiago, Chile. He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Past President and Fellow of The Wildlife Society.  He is also a Professional Member of the Boone and Crockett Club and a Senior Specialist in the Fulbright Scholar Program.  He serves on the Board of the National Conservation Leadership Institute and is the USGS representative to the interagency Wilderness Policy Council and ex-officio to the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council.  

PEERING INTO THE FUTURE OF FISHERIES AND POSITIONING OURSELVES FOR SUCCESS | Douglas Austen, Ph.D.
Doug Austen has been Executive Director since 2013, but has been involved with AFS since the early 1980s as an undergraduate student at South Dakota State University. He served as president of the Illinois Chapter and North Central Division, wrote articles for several AFS journals and books, and also served as an associate editor for the North American Journal of Fisheries Management.  Prior to AFS, Doug was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national coordinator for Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and worked for 10 years each with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Natural History Survey. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE FUTURE OF CONSERVATION | Byron Kenneth Williams, Ph.D.
Ken is CEO of The Wildlife Society. He came to the Society from the U.S. Geological Survey, where he was co-Director of the Science and Decisions Center and Chief of the Cooperative Research Units. Previous positions include Executive Director of North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Leader of the Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Vermont, and Chief of the Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He has advanced degrees in both mathematics and statistics and a Ph.D. in natural resources ecology/management from Colorado State University. Dr. Williams has been deeply involved for many years in developing frameworks for the integration of natural resources science and management. 

AWARDS:

THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY AWARDS
Presented by: Chris Newbold, President, North Central Section of The Wildlife Society

• Outstanding Wildlife Student Awards: One undergraduate and one graduate student recognized for academic achievement, professional experience, and activities in The Wildlife Society.
• Student Chapter of the Year Award: An exemplary student chapter recognized for its contributions to The Wildlife Society’s mission and goals.
• Professional Award of Merit: The North Central Section’s most prestigious award. Recognizing outstanding professional accomplishments in wildlife conservation and leadership over a period of years in any area of wildlife work.

NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION - AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY AWARDS
Presented by: Sandy Clark-Kolaks, President, North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society

• Outstanding Chapter (Small & Large):  Two awards (small chapter, large chapter) will be given to the chapters that have carried out the most active programs of enhancing professionalism and fisheries science.
• Best Chapter Communications:  One award will be given to the chapter that has developed the most efficient, useful, and attractive newsletter and website to disseminate information to its members. 
• Outstanding Student Subunit:  One award will be given to the North Central Division student subunit that has carried out the most active program in developing interest among undergraduate and graduate students in fisheries science and fulfilling the mission of the American Fisheries Society. 
• Meritorious Service:  This award recognizes extraordinary service to the American Fisheries Society (Chapter, Division, Section, or Parent Society level) by a North Central Division member
• Recognition of Joan Duffy Award:  One award is given to a student from each North Central Division Chapter for travel assistance to the Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference.

JANICE LEE FENSKE MEMORIAL AWARD
Presented by: Jim Schneider, Michigan State University

The Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award was created in 2005 to recognize undergraduate and graduate students for their achievements in the field of fisheries or wildlife management. Each year, up to 25 Fenske Memorial Award finalists are selected based on their enthusiasm to protect fisheries and wildlife resources through management activities, selflessness and motivation to teach others, interest in professional involvement, integrity, positive attitude, and compassion.  The outstanding students will be announced during this award ceremony.

IGNITE SESSION:
Back by popular demand! The Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference is proud to present the 2nd annual Ignite Session as part of the Plenary Session on Monday, February 6th. Using 5-minute presentations with no more than 20 timed slides, our speakers will engage the audience on issues regarding the future of fisheries and wildlife conservation in the Midwest.  We have selected speakers who can speak to personal, political, economic, policy, agency, and private landowner perspectives. Come join the conversation!  Experience the passion of our speakers!  Consider the future!

• Stanley Temple, Beers-Bascom Professor Emeritus in Conservation, University of Wisconsin | "Aldo Leopold, Private Land and Public Interest"
• Shelly Kelly, Program Director, Sandhills Task Force | "Ranching, Wildlife, Conservation, and the Sandhills Task Force”
• Tanya Shenk | "National Park Service, landscapes, and private lands"
• Jennifer Terry, Environmental Advocacy Leader, Des Moines Water Works | "Take Five! Five keys to restoring and protecting source water in agricultural watersheds"
• Jessica Shoemaker, University of Nebraska Law School | "The Public Parts of Private Property"
• Mark Humpert, Director of Conservation Initiatives, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies | “Achieving sustainable funding to  conserve ALL fish and wildlife”