Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Archbold Biological Station are pleased to once again host “PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE” at Archbold Biological Station located near Lake Placid, Florida. Our 2025 session will be held February 4-6. Registration for this event is limited and the deadline is approaching so click HERE to secure your spot today!
FLTWS is seeking Awards Nominations by December 5th!
The Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society is seeking nominations! Please help us recognize the outstanding talent we have in Florida in wildlife conservation, research, management, and education by nominating deserving colleagues for following awards:
1) Herbert W. Kale Award
2) Paul Moler Herpetological Conservation Award
3) Citizen Conservation Award
4) Influential Woman in Wildlife Award
5) NGO Special Recognition Award
6) Outstanding Educator Award
7) Early Career Wildlife Professional Award
Descriptions of these awards and past award recipients are available on the FLTWS website at www.fltws.org (highlight “Awards” on the top banner and select from the drop-down list).
An on-line form makes it easy to submit a nomination. Just select “Submit a Nomination” from the drop-down, fill out the form, and click “Submit.” The following information will be needed:
1) Nominee's full name, present position, e-mail address, and phone number
2) Nominator's and an endorser's names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers
3) A clear and concise statement justifying the nomination (one paragraph will suffice)
Note the deadline for submission is December 5.
Thank you!
FLTWS Awards Committee
FLTWS Zoom Social, Jan. 7th - Machine learning and Satellite Imagery: Revolutionizing Plant Community Mapping
Please join us for the JANUARY Edition of Wildlife Connections.
On January 7th, Samantha Russo, an Environmental Scientist with the St. Johns River Water Management District, Will present Machine learning and Satellite Imagery: Revolutionizing Plant Community Mapping. Sam will be discussing a recent project moving forward with machine learning in GIS mapping using satellite imagery to create habitat maps for District properties as part of the regular District’s habitat monitoring.
Grab your lunch and join us on ZOOM!
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 407 832 4242
Passcode: Welcome
FLTWS Zoom Social, Nov. 14th - Adventures of a wild cat biologist: bobcats, ocelots, and panthers, oh my!
Join us for the next Wildlife Connections where Dr. Jen Korn, Florida Panther Biologist, shares with us photos, videos, and stories covering her 20+ year career in wild cat conservation. From trapping ocelots and bobcats in Texas and Mexico, to panthers in the swamps of South Florida, it's an adventure that culminated in being in the Emmy-nominated film, Path of the Panther.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 407 832 4242
Passcode: Welcome
FLTWS Zoom Social, September 12th - A Crowning Moment for the Emperor: Restoration and Reproduction of Eastern Indigo Snakes
Please join us for the next Wildlife Connections where Catherine Ricketts, Preserve Manager, Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve will share with us the tale of 40+ years to bring back a self-sustaining population of Threatened Eastern Indigo snakes to N. Florida.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 407 832 4242
Passcode: Welcome
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb0rofixTd
Archbold "Jay Day", Sept. 18th, Archbold Biological Station, Venus, FL
Archbold Biological Station is excited to announce "Jay Day” on September 18th, 2024; a day-long Florida Scrub-Jay research symposium to share findings, meet other jay researchers, and strengthen the Florida Scrub-Jay conservation and research community. Please pass this along to any and all you think may be interested in attending.
The symposium will involve talks in the morning followed by a poster session in the afternoon and is open to all folks linked to FLSJ conservation (researchers, community scientists, NGO professionals, land managers, volunteers, donors, county, state and federal agency personnel). The more the merrier.
Please follow this link to register for Jay Day and Jay Day activities and request accommodation at Archbold. You will also be able to sign up to present a talk or poster through the link. Applications not selected for talks will be automatically given an opportunity to present a poster. Registration will close July 31st. Registration fees will be $15 per person, and will include coffee/snacks and lunch. Dinner and accommodation at Archbold is not included in the registration costs. Accommodation costs will be provided upon request (based on type of accommodation selected in survey). All costs and fees will be collected at the venue (Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus FL 33960) on the day of the symposium.
The following is the tentative schedule for the day:
7:30-8:30: (Optional) Field tour of Archbold
8:30-9:00: Check-in, coffee and light refreshments.
9:05-9:15: Greetings and House Keeping (Hilary Swain and Sahas Barve)
9:20- 11:40: Talks (~ 6- 15 min talks with one 20 min break)
11:40-1:00: Lunch
13:00-15:00: Talks (~6- 15min talks with a 15 min break)
3:30-5:00: Poster Session and Networking
6:30pm: (Optional) Group Dinner
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Many thanks and we hope to see you at the 2024 Jay Day!
-Jay Day Organization Team
Heartland Resiliency Summit, Aug. 6th, Lake Placid, FL
Please join us for the Heartland Resiliency Summit on Tuesday, August 6th in Lake Placid.
We welcome your participation! See attached and below for registration info!
Register Today for the Heartland Resiliency Summit
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lake Placid Government Center | 1069 U.S. Hwy 27 N. - Lake Placid, FL 33852
Join the Heartland Regional Resiliency Coalition as we address economic, community, and natural system disruptions, provide support, and find collaborative solutions in DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, and Polk Counties.
Topics Include:
Florida's Resilience Initiatives
Challenges to Agriculture
Natural System Restoration
Transportation
Stormwater Infrastructure
Economic & Community Resiliency
Hosted by the Central Florida Regional Planning Council
FLTWS Zoom Social, July 30th - From Steppes to Saddles: Mongolia's Wildlife, Culture, and the Challenge of the Mongol Derby
Please join us for the next WILDLIFE CONNECTIONS: From Steppes to Saddles: Mongolia’s Wildlife, Culture, and the Challenge of the Mongol Derby.
Lisa Smith is an Assistant Research Scientist at FWRI studying bats and mustelids. She recently travelled to Mongolia and would like to share her journey with you.
This will be a fascinating presentation, so please make plans to join us on Zoom on July 30 from 11:30am to 12:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4078324242?pwd=L0hDS0RtcjFDWGIrWDJtUFNYN2ozdz09&omn=83491509450&from=addon
Meeting ID: 407 832 4242
Passcode: Welcome
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FLTWS Zoom Social, May 29th- Discussions on the future makeup and focus of the wildlife profession
Join us Wed. May 29th, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, for a discussion on the future makeup and focus of the wildlife profession as people engage with nature in ever-evolving ways.
Jay Exum will lead a conversation that will include discussions of topics such as the following:
As the state urbanizes, fewer people hunt and fish, and much of the population’s attitudes about wildlife are shifting. Will the future see diversified support for hunting and fishing as a key piece – but not necessarily the centerpiece – of wildlife conservation?
Do polarizing wildlife issues (e.g., bear hunts, trapping) further separate wildlife enthusiasts into hunter vs anti-hunting groups, or can we discuss these issues in civil, dispassionate ways that can unite people who care about the environment from different perspectives? How should FL TWS be involved with issues like these?
Is there an inappropriate preference given to the priorities of hunters and anglers?
With state policies?
With state funding?
In academia?
In wildlife/natural resource research?
If you’d like to read the articles that inspired this topic, check out the Wildlife Professional linked HERE – specifically the articles by von Furstenberg and Larson (page 31) and by Thorburn (page 36).
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 836 0676 3476
Passcode: FLTWS
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Special film screening - O2O: The Path to Connection, June 1st in Gainesville
Join us on National Trails Day for a special film screening of O2O: The Path to Connection on Saturday, June 1st at 3pm at Cypress & Grove Brewery in Gainesville. The event is free and open to the public.
The O2O Expedition features three veterans who explored a 57-mile section of the Florida Wildlife Corridor from the Ocala to the Osceola National Forests. The core of the Expedition involves a 4-day journey which includes paddling of the Ocklawaha River as well as biking/hiking segments through the Florida National Scenic Trail. The 25-minute film captures their adventure and features the connection between nature and wellness, conservation compatibility of military installations, and accessibility of outdoor spaces for all.
After the film, listen to a panel discussion featuring the trekkers and land managers who made the expedition possible as they share stories of wild Florida. Learn about FTA’s new adaptive hiking program, take a look at our accessibility device, and mingle with partners in conservation.
The O2O expedition represents the embodiment of the important connections that can mean the difference between preservation or loss of the treasure that is the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
O2O Wildlife Corridor is a 100-mile-long, 1.6-million-acre landscape of public and private lands that connect the Ocala and Osceola National Forests.
For questions about the event, contact Jane Pollack at janep@floridatrail.org.
See you there!
