{All presenters MUST arrive and check-in here to upload their presentation at least 24 hours before scheduled presentation time. You can also use this room to review your presentation.}
Welcome to Lincoln, Nebraska! Start off the conference by joining colleagues at the Welcome Reception and Super Bowl Party! Show your team spirit by wearing your favorite team or alma mater’s jersey and enjoying “tailgate” style hors d’ oeuvres and complimentary keg beer (while supplies last). A cash bar will also be available. The NFL Super Bowl Broadcast will be shown on a big screen for all to enjoy. The fun-filled evening is the perfect way to jump start a week of networking, presentations, workshops, social events, and more!
{All presenters MUST arrive and check-in here to upload their presentation at least 24 hours before scheduled presentation time. You can also use this room to review your presentation.}
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
NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION - AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY AWARDS
Presented by: Sandy Clark-Kolaks, President, North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society
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!
Students – Be sure to stop by the Wild Jobs Café on Monday (anytime between 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) and Tuesday (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM) Interact with potential employers, meet students and professionals within your area of interest, and get expert advice on interviewing and resume writing among other topics. Come often and stay as long as you’d like. Ongoing through the day on Monday and Tuesday, members of the Wild Jobs Cafe Subcommittee will be available for one-on-one discussions. Professionals – Be sure to stop by and share your expertise as well as job or graduate school opportunities!
Explore downtown Lincoln on Monday evening and experience a wide variety of restaurants in the Historic Haymarket District. The Haymarket is 7 blocks or 0.4 miles, a short walk or ride from the Cornhusker. Maps and local area information will be available at the Conference Registration Desk if you have questions or would like recommendations from the host team on where to dine. For a list of restaurants in the Haymarket District, visit http://www.exploredowntown.org/haymarket/dine.
SHUTTLE DETAILS: Take advantage of the shuttle service being provided for conference attendees which will be running loops from the Cornhusker Hotel to the Haymarket District for evening dining. The shuttle will run from 6 PM to 10 PM between the Cornhusker (M Street entrance, North side of Hotel) and the Haymarket, making stops at 7th & R Street and 7th & P Street. It's a big white bus, you can't miss it!!
Come and join us for light hors d’oeuvres and conversation! This informal and casual event will provide a unique opportunity for students to meet, ask questions, and network with many fish and wildlife professionals from around the region. Professionals will be grouped by interest and employment type in a small room setting where students will meet professionals in a roundtable type rotation.
{All presenters MUST arrive and check-in here to upload their presentation at least 24 hours before scheduled presentation time. You can also use this room to review your presentation.}
Students – Be sure to stop by the Wild Jobs Café on Monday (anytime between 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM) and Tuesday (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM) Interact with potential employers, meet students and professionals within your area of interest, and get expert advice on interviewing and resume writing among other topics. Come often and stay as long as you’d like. Ongoing through the day on Monday and Tuesday, members of the Wild Jobs Cafe Subcommittee will be available for one-on-one discussions. Professionals – Be sure to stop by and share your expertise as well as job or graduate school opportunities!
A Student Research-in-Progress Poster session will be held in conjunction with the Poster Social, and will feature submissions from undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. students including: research that is in progress, or is a proposed research project (with a focus on study design), results from completed undergraduate research projects, or student chapter class or group research project. Attendees are strongly encouraged to visit with these students and provide feedback on their research.
Visit with exhibitors and authors of contributed posters. Don’t miss out on the NEAFS/NETUS Chapter raffle! Win a muzzle loader or Orvis fly rod and many more natural resource prizes! Light hors d’ oeuvres and complimentary soda and beer (while supplies last) are available, as well as a cash bar.
{All presenters MUST arrive and check-in here to upload their presentation at least 24 hours before scheduled presentation time. You can also use this room to review your presentation.}