FLTWS members, Please take a moment to read the following message from national TWS regarding invasive species. There is a letter you can send on-line if you choose.
Congratulations to the new Officers of the UF Student Chapter!
The University of Florida Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society has elected new officers for the 2014-2015 school year. Congratulations to the following newly elected officers:
- President: Erica Christiansen
- Vice Presidents: Elizabeth Sanchez, Ty Cramer
- Secretary: Jeanelle Brisbane
- Treasurer: Jessie Bergau
- Historian: Bryan Pepper
- Environmental Education Coordinators: Sean McKnight, Jaclyn Selden
- Conclave Coordinators: Rachel Sally, Maurice Greenwood
- Webmaster/Editor: Jordanne Laurito
- Sophomore Representative: Katie Wucker
- FLTWS Representative: Lauren Diaz
Florida’s Springs and Aquifer Protection Act
Dear Florida Chapter Members,
Please read the this letter from our Society to two Florida senators co-sponsoring the Florida’s Springs and Aquifer Protection Act (SB 1576). If you agree that this is an important conservation initiative, please take a moment to email your Senator (as a private citizen) and ask that a strong, meaningful bill be passed.
Thank you,
Becky Bolt
FLTWS Conservation Chairperson
Announcing the winners of the FLTWS Citizen Conservation Award 2013
Congratulations to “The Friends of Thornby”, a small, dedicated group of local citizens who have worked to conserve an area of environmental and cultural significance. The area, known as "Thornby,” is a 40-acre parcel of Old Florida boasting 1,000 feet of shoreline on Lake Monroe in West Volusia County. In addition to the cultural significance associated with remnants of an Indian midden and a possible Seminole Indian Wars fort, the area supported centuries-old live oak and cypress trees, more than seven acres of wetlands that serve as both a discharge and recharge area for the Floridan aquifer, and a host of wildlife and native plant species.
Scholarship News!
The Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society is proud to announce the 2014 Greater Everglades Student Memorial Scholarship. We are alos excited to announce, for the first time ever the FLTWS Graduate Student Scholarship. For more information on these prestigious awards, check out our scholarship page.
Announcing the 2013 FLTWS Photo Contest Winner!
Congratulations to Ms. Jenny Adler, for her winning photo "Deep Breath"!
Please visit the photo contest gallery to view the runner up images. (other great contestant photos will be added soon!)
Thanks, also, to our judges for their time and effort. They had to judge 45 photos, and I can tell you there were many beautiful and interesting ones to review, it was no easy process!
Letter from the FLTWS Conservation Committee Chair
Dear FLTWS Members,
Protecting our waters, natural areas, and wildlife are fundamental to the goals and vision of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Please consider helping us help Florida’s Water and Land Legacy Campaign place a critical conservation amendment on the November 2014 ballot. The coming months offer the most productive signature gathering opportunities during this campaign while festivals are happening around the state. Volunteers are needed now to sit at tables and ask festival participants to sign petitions.
There is less than one year to gather the remaining 480,000 volunteer signatures needed to put the Water and Land Conservation Amendment on the 2014 ballot. Right now, the most important thing you can do to protect our rivers, springs, beaches, and wildlife is to volunteer. Please visit Florida’s Water and Land Legacy website (http://floridawaterlandlegacy.org/) to learn more about the campaign and sign up to volunteer today.
Thank you,
Becky Bolt
FLTWS Conservation Committee Chair
Imperiled Species Management Planning – A New Conservation Model
Submitted by Claire Sunquist Blunden
Beginning in 2012 and continuing through 2015, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is introducing species action plans and an imperiled species management plan for 60 species on Florida’s Threatened Species list. A State Wildlife Grant provides funding for additional staffing and other resources
that are being utilized for this five year project, which includes planning for the development and implementation of the imperiled species management plan. The FWC began this process by adopting a new conservation model in September 2010 to evaluate the status of species listed as state threatened or species of special concern. As part of the new conservation model, there were updates made to the rules for Florida’s endangered and threatened species, Chapter 68A-27, Florida Administrative Code, which were approved by the FWC Commission in September 2010. The rule is important for identifying and protecting Florida’s imperiled species.
Dr. Richard Seigel - Recipient of the 2013 Paul Moler Herpetological Conservation Award
At the 2013 spring conference, Dr. Richard Seigel was awarded the 2013 Paul Moler Conservation Award.
Rich’s work on KSC in the 1970s formed the basis for an ideal long-term look at variations in the herp populations over time. There have been a number of changes in abundance and distribution of amphibians and reptiles at the site, especially for diamondback terrapins, which have declined dramatically. Data on snake populations have also shown major declines for several species, but apparent increases in others. Recent Masters’ degree projects have focused on the ecology, movements, and survival of juvenile gopher tortoises, and the use of ephemeral wetlands by sirens and aquatic snakes.
Rich’s contribution to the knowledge of herps in Florida is eclipsed only by the contribution he has made nationally. With over 75 peer-reviewed publications and five books to his credit, there is little doubt that his knowledge and influence have made a huge impact. Even more importantly is the role he has played teaching and mentoring hundreds of students, many of whom have become well known herpetologists in their own right. Richard Seigel epitomizes the intent of the Paul Moler Herpetological Conservation Award and is an excellent, deserving recipient.
You can read more about Dr. Seigel and the award, right here.