Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2017

Organizer(s)/Convener(s): 
Dr. Joseph D. Conroy, Fisheries Biologist, Inland Fisheries Research Unit, Division of Wildlife, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Co-Chair, Reservoir Technical Committee, North Central Division, American Fisheries Society. joseph.conroy@dnr.state.oh.us
Rebecca M. Krogman, Large Impoundments Research Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Co-Chair, Reservoir Technical Committee, North Central Division, American Fisheries Society, rebecca.krogman@dnr.iowa.gov 

Abstract: Reservoirs in the Midwest—and throughout the United States—offer important recreational opportunities, in addition to providing essential services such as flood control, water supply, irrigation, navigation, and hydropower. Most Midwestern reservoirs were built in the last century, with the most rapid construction during the 1960s. Following an initial period of high productivity following filling, these reservoirs have experienced habitat degradation, eutrophication, sedimentation, and water regime manipulation, with concomitant changes in fish community composition, fishery characteristics and quality, and angler use. Recently, however, water controlling authorities, fisheries management agencies, local municipalities, and non-governmental organizations (i.e., angler clubs and lake management groups) have recognized the challenges associated with reservoir aging. In response, these groups have initiated habitat restoration and intensive monitoring of extra- and intra-reservoir processes including many different approaches to fisheries assessment. With this symposium we seek, generally, (1) to promote communication between fisheries professionals in the Midwest regarding approaches to habitat restoration and fisheries assessment, and (2) to provide a venue to disseminate information about “what works” when confronting reservoir habitat and fisheries issues.

Organizer(s)/Convener(s):
Tom Will, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Region; tom_will@fws.gov
Kristen Nelson, University of Minnesota, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Kelly VanBeek, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Abstract: Despite decades of conservation action, Midwest grassland birds continue on a precipitous trajectory of decline. A fundamental problem has been the inability to replicate local conservation successes at a scale large enough to influence regional or range-wide populations. With most of the acreage in the Midwest in private lands, we argue that a successful change strategy in predominantly agricultural landscapes (1) must be grounded in sound agroecological science; (2) requires movement along multiple dimensions simultaneously—biological, economic, social, ethical, and cultural; (3) should be community-based and build on social movements informed by justice and biodiversity outside the norms of prevailing conventional sociopolitical structures. This symposium brings together a series of presentations designed to challenge current conservation sideboards and stimulate discussions of viable alternatives for creating sustainable landscapes for healthy human and wildlife communities.

Organizer(s)/Convener(s):
Gerald Mestl, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; gerald.mestl@nebraska.gov
David Swanson, Missouri River Institute 

Abstract: Ecology of the Missouri National Recreational River will highlight papers that examine how this nationally recognized resource is continuing to evolve both physically and biologically. This unit of our national park system exemplifies the conference theme of “Private Landscapes, Public Responsibilities”. The National Park Service directly manages only 0.5% of the park, additional acres are managed by the states and other entities, but the majority of this park is privately owned. These river reaches have changed dramatically since the mainstem dams were built in the 1950s and 60s and continue to change as the result of ongoing impacts from the dams, bank stabilization, disrupted sediment transport, flow management, and especially the high flows which occurred in 2011. The record high flows of 2011 had both short and long-term impacts to both the physical landscape and biotic communities of the park.

Organizer(s)/Convener(s): 
Kristal Stoner; Kristal.stoner@nebraska.gov 

Abstract: Our nation is facing a conservation crisis. Unless we start investing in proactive conservation measures, our nation’s rich natural heritage and vital natural resource-based economy will face an uncertain future. New dedicated funding is needed now to ensure the long-term health of all fish and wildlife. This conservation crisis also extends to people. More Americans than ever before are becoming disconnected from nature and the outdoors. This change is having profound implications on our citizens’ and the relevancy of fish and wildlife conservation. To safeguard the future of our country’s fish and wildlife, we must expand access and opportunities to bring the benefits of nature to all Americans. The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources, comprised of national business and conservation leaders, was convened to evaluate and recommend a more sustainable funding approach to avert a fish and wildlife conservation crisis. The Blue Ribbon Panel has announced their recommendations and is taking action to increase investment in fish and wildlife conservation.

Organizer(s)/Convener(s): 
Doug Whisenhunt; doug.whisenhunt@ne.usda.gov 

Abstract: This symposium depicts a variety of research projects, wildlife habitat responses and successful models of entities, agencies and private landowners working together to implement large-scale prescribed fires and the impacts of wildfires on the private lands of Nebraska. The Great Plains ecosystems in Nebraska evolved under the disturbance regimes of fire and herbivory by large ungulates. Native wildlife were dependent on these disturbance events to provide the heterogenous mosaic of habitat necessary for maintenance of successful populations.

Settlement by European man disrupted the fire cycle, and altered the grazing regime, greatly impacting the dynamics of the wildlife populations that occupy these landscape.

The native vegetative communities that escaped the plow and the bulldozer have become dramatically altered by landscape fragmentation, modern day management practices and policies. The natural fire regime is one of the primary systems that has been impacted. One of the most devastating results has been the encroachment of invading woody species into native grasslands. Millions of acres of the remaining grasslands in Nebraska have become forested to the point of creating a monoculture. In many cases, this habitat shift has caused a corresponding change in wildlife species that occupy the areas, shifting from a grassland community to a forest dwelling community and creating potential for increased wildfire danger. Starting in the year 2000, Nebraska private landowners have banded together to bring prescribed fire back to tens of thousands of acres of native grasslands to reclaim lost forage and wildlife habitat.

Organizer(s)/Convener(s): 
K. Keeler-U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center; kkeeler@usgs.gov
P. Armenio -U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center
D. Castle-U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center
E. Roseman- U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center 

Abstract: Diet analysis is one of the most common ways to understand the basic ecology of a fish species. And while this information can be useful for an individual species, it can also be vital in documenting the overall health of a multitude of species during large ecosystem changes. Whether perturbations come about through invasive species, habitat degradation, or overfishing, analyzing individual diets can provide insight into why these broader population changes occur. However, dissection, processing, and analyzing an individual diet, let alone numerous diets, is an often time-consuming procedure. Continually, given the wide-range of habitat types, life-stages, and invasive species present in aquatic systems, not every fish species, nor every diet item, is often analyzed in the same manner suggesting issues of standardization. Presentations will showcase more novel diet analyzing methods (such as stable isotopes, fatty acid profiles, or sub-sampling procedures) for atypical fish species and/or their diet items (such as rare or newly introduced species) while working in a number of aquatic environments, or providing a comparison of processing individual diets with these newer methods.

Organizer(s)/Convener(s): 
Dana Varner*, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture; Dana_Varner@fws.gov
Mark Vrtiska, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Lisa Webb, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 

Abstract: Playas are shallow, ephemeral wetlands which are an important aquatic resource within the Great Plains region. Each playa has a unique watershed that funnels runoff from precipitation and snowmelt to the wetland at its terminus. A thick clay layer in the soil slows water percolation so most water loss occurs through evaporation or plant transpiration, although playas are also a significant path of groundwater recharge to the Ogallala aquifer. Playas provide crucial habitat for wetland-dependent wildlife, including waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, reptiles, and amphibians. Currently, a majority of playas are found on private property within an agricultural landscape. For this reason, partnerships with private landowners are especially important in regards to playa conservation and research.

On March 17, 2011, the RWBJV and Playa Lakes Joint Venture co-hosted the first Playa Wetland Ecology Symposium in Grand Island, Nebraska. More than 80 people attended, representing 23 government agencies, conservation organizations, and universities from 11 states. Building on the success of the previous symposium, this event will again bring together a group of regional partners to share the most recent results and findings of playa research and conservation programs.

Organizer(s)/Convener(s): 
Diane Waller, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center; dwaller@usgs.gov (member of Invasive Mussel Collaborative)
Michelle Bartsch, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center; mbartsch@usgs.gov (member of Mussel Coordination Team). 

Abstract: The arrival of dreissenid mussels to the Great Lakes in the late 1980s exacerbated the decline of native freshwater (unionid) mussel communities that were already imperiled from habitat loss and degradation. Dreissenids have since spread throughout the Midwest with varying effects on native mussels, ranging from complete extirpation in some habitats to co-existence in others. The symposium will focus on the state of unionids 20+ years after the initial dreissenid invasion, the future outlook for unionids as dreissenids continue to expand their range, and management actions to prevent and reverse further loss of native communities. Presentations will be invited that document changes in unionid communities from the initial invasion of dreissenids to the present, including examples from habitats in which unionids have been extirpated to those in which they continue to survive. The symposium will continue with presentations on dreissenid control strategies for protection or restoration of unionids, including projects that partner public resource agencies with private landowners to control dreissenid mussels in native mussel habitat. The session will conclude with a moderated discussion to prioritize management needs for dreissenid control in select unionid habitats to protect existing communities or restore extirpated populations.

Organizer(s)/Convener(s):
Kristin Shaw, Eastern Tallgrass Prairie & Big Rivers LCC, kristin_shaw@fws.gov
Gwen White, Eastern Tallgrass Prairie & Big Rivers LCC, gwen_white@fws.gov
Glen Salmon, Eastern Tallgrass Prairie & Big Rivers LCC, glen_salmon@fws.gov
John Rogner, Upper Midwest & Great Lakes LCC, john_rogner@fws.gov
Brad Potter, Upper Midwest & Great Lakes LCC, bradly_potter@fws.gov
Rick Nelson, Plains & Prairie Potholes LCC, Richard_D_Nelson@fws.gov
Nicole Athearn, Great Plains LCC, nicole_athearn@fws.gov 

Abstract: Landscape-scale considerations are integral components of managing both public and private lands for holistic conservation outcomes. While public lands form the backbone of the conservation estate, private lands constitute a majority of our urban, natural, and working landscapes. As a result, partnerships with public and private landowners and managers form integral components of landscape conservation. Because delivering conservation at a landscape scale is full of challenges, practical and pragmatic research and tools are necessary for success. For example, an understanding of human dimensions reveals the drivers and motivations that influence complex decision making processes and informs how we can more effectively work with partners to deliver ecosystem conservation, restoration, and management. Presentations in this symposium will describe and illustrate cutting edge research and management techniques pertaining to a variety of topics, such as human dimensions, that are relevant to one or more component of landscape conservation: problem identification, project planning, implementation, management, and evaluation.