The Wildlife Society of Florida

Welcome to the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society

florida wildlife society

The mission of The Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society is to serve and represent wildlife professionals in promoting wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and resource stewardship.

After taking time out of the state’s annual conference in order to host the national conference (which was a huge success thanks to all of you!), we are now ready to resume our annual conference. Please join us in Tallahassee on April 21-23, 2010, for an in-depth look at this year’s Plenary Theme: “Longleaf Ecosystem Restoration and Management” and many other hot Florida topics. [Call for Papers]

The goal of the Institute is to facilitate the development of new leaders within The Wildlife Society and the wildlife profession as a whole. The Institute will recruit 10-15 promising early-career professionals for a series of intensive activities and mentoring relationships, exposing the participants to the inner workings of TWS and increasing the ranks of active leaders in TWS and the wildlife profession. [More Info]

This training is designed to provide wildlife biologists and land managers with basic information on wildlife habitat management opportunities associated with prescribed fires in Florida. It now includes sections addressing how ignition plans can be developed and implemented to meet specific wildlife objectives while minimizing risk. Registration deadline is February 28, 2010. [Lodging Information]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - November 16 - A federal judge in Tallahassee today approved a historic consent decree which requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set legal limits for the widespread nutrient poisoning that triggers harmful algae blooms in Florida waters. [Read More]

National Environmental Education Week (EE Week, www.eeweek.org) connects educators with environmental resources to promote K-12 students’ understanding of the environment. Held each year the week before Earth Day, EE Week is the nation’s largest environmental education event.

Dr. Ron Labisky, long-time active member of the Florida Chapter TWS (FLTWS), recipient of FLTWS’s Herbert W. Kale, II Award, and Professor Emeritus in the University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation was awarded the Aldo Leopold Award at The Wildlife Society 16th Annual Conference, in Monterey CA. The award is named in honor of Aldo Leopold, the visionary biologist whose work early in the 20th century formed the foundation for modern conservation science. The award is made "for distinguished service to wildlife conservation," and it is the highest honor bestowed by The Wildlife Society. We are proud to have one of our own receive such well-deserved recognition, and are grateful for his many contributions to wildlife conservation and the profession at the state, national, and international levels.

Note: You will need Windows Media Player installed to view video. If it is not installed, you will prompted to download the player.

The Grand Opening of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge will be Saturday, October 17, 2009 in Boynton Beach, Florida. The opening ceremony will begin at 9:00 am and events will run until 3:00 PM. Events will include children's games, canoe trips, guided walks, and weather permitting a small prescribed burn. For additional event information and directions, please visit www.fws.gov/loxahatchee

Be part of a lively discussion on climate change adaptation strategies and ways to maintain our coasts as places where people and wildlife can thrive. The Dialogue on Climate Change and Coastal Conservation will explore what we must do to prepare for the challenges of a changing coastline. The Dialogue will build on and increase cooperation for protecting natural resources and the economy in response to the effects of global warming. The Dialogue is free but seating is limited. Please share the additional details on the attached flyer with your friends and colleagues, and register today at http://audubonoffloridanews.org/?page_id=2904!

The Marsh Trail Grand Opening will be held on October 10 from 7 am to 1pm! The Refuge will host a ceremony and free activities for the community. Activities will include a guided bird walk starting at 7:15am, guided kayak tours leaving at 8 and 11am, and a guided hiking tour along Marsh Trail at 11am. A fly fishing demo will be provided by the Backcountry Fly Fishers, and a food vendor will be available for food and non-alcoholic drinks. [Read More]

The Bob Graham Center at UF is currently putting on a few lectures and events that might be of interest to FLTWS members. They are hosting events which feature Drs. Noll and Tegeder's new book on the Florida Barge Canal, Joe Browder's comments on the history of saving the Everglades, and Michael Grunwald's discussion of his book, The Swamp. For more information, visit Bob Graham Center.

The votes are in for the Proposed Bylaw and Charter Timeline Changes. There were 47 returned ballots. Both proposals were accepted by the membership, increasing chapter dues to $20 per year was accepted by 83.0% of the vote, and the changes to the bylaws was accepted by 97.9%. Just under a third of members (29.8%) are also members of the Florida Wildlife Federation. Thank you to those that voted!