Exotic Pet Amnesty Day at UF - April 16th!

The University of Florida's Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, in collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be hosting its first ever "Pet Amnesty Day" (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/amnesty-day-events/ )on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Unwanted exotic pets (e.g., snakes, turtles, birds, fish, mammals, etc.-no dogs or cats) may be surrendered with no questions asked. Surrendered pets will be placed in adoptive homes with individuals approved by the FWC. "Pet Amnesty Days" were created by FWC in an attempt to "minimize the effects exotics have on Florida's native fish, wildlife and marine species." Non-native species can have negative impacts on native species, and can cause economic damage and threaten human health.  Surrender exotic pets at the Straughn Center (2142 Shealy Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611; across the street from the UF Vet School Small Animal Hospital). There are no penalties for surrendering unlicensed or illegal exotic pets. This event is free and open to the public-parking restrictions at the Straughn Center (http://straughn.ifas.ufl.edu/contact.shtml#getting ) will be lifted for the day.  Please join us in our efforts in stopping the release of non-native pets!

We need more people to apply to adopt the animals turned in during the event! If you are interested in being a certified adopter please go to this FWC website (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/nonnative-pet-adopter/ ) and complete the online form.

In conjunction with the surrender and adoption of animals at UF's Straughn Center, we are also conducting an education and outreach event at the Reitz Union the same day. See live exotic animals up close at the Reitz Union colonnade, and talk to experts about being a responsible pet owner.

Take the world-renowned UF/IFAS REDDy Live training

 

One showing only for the Florida TWS Spring Conference, Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 5:15-5:45

Presented by Cheryl Millett, The Nature Conservancy

Quick, you’re out in the field and you see a snake or a lizard that you KNOW is not quite right and someone with you turns to you and says, “WHAT was THAT??!!” You’re a wildlife biologist, so you should know, right? But you don’t… well, we can help.

Or someone calls you up and says, “There’s a 4-foot long lizard outside my door- what do I do?” You’re a wildlife biologist, so you should know, right? But you don’t… well, we can help.

Take the world-renowned UF/IFAS REDDy Live training and learn how to identify and respond to exotic reptiles.. and we’ll throw in a couple of non-reptiles for free. Try it. It’s free, will sharpen your skills, and if you pass the final quiz, you’ll earn a certificate testifying you did. And when that critter that doesn’t belong shows up, you’ll know what to do. You’ll be part of the Early Detection Rapid Response that keeps them from establishing and becoming listed as a cause for the decline of the next imperiled species.

Upcoming GIS Workshops at Tall Timbers Research Station

Tall Timbers Research Station is hosting 2 GIS workshops this Spring/Summer.

22 – 26 April 2013 – Applied Geospatial Solutions in Natural Resources

20 – 24 May 2013   – Advanced GIS Workshop focusing on Python scripting and GIS Programming

Please visit our website for more information and for an application form.  Note: there is a maximum number of workshop participants for each workshop so reserve your spot soon! A limited amount of on-site lodging will also be available!!

Instructors:                 Theron M. Terhune, PhD, GISp & Joe Noble, GIS Specialist

Course Website:         http://www.gis.ttrs.org/GISHome.html

Funding opportunity from the Gopher Tortoise Council

The J. Larry Landers Student Research Award
is a Gopher Tortoise Council competitive grant program for undergraduate
and graduate college students. Proposals can address research concerning
gopher tortoise biology or any other relevant aspect of upland habitat
conservation and management. The amount of the award is variable, but has
averaged $1,000.00 over the last few years.

The proposal should be limited to four pages in length and should include a
description of the project and a concise budget.  A brief resume of the
student also needs to be provided.

This is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to
access funding for their projects.  In addition, students are expected to
present their research at the Annual Gopher Tortoise Council meeting or
contribute to an edition of "The Burrow", GTC's newsletter.

The deadline for grant proposals each year is the 15th of September.

Please send submissions to:

Bob Herrington Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Biology
Georgia Southwestern State University
Americus, GA, 31709
229-931-2331
bob.herrington@gsw.edu

Call for Presentations or Posters: 25th Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference

Purpose

The purpose of the 25th Fire Ecology Conference is to bring together the fire management and research community to focus on fire ecology and management issues in northern coastal and interior climates.

Objectives

The objective of the 25th Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference is to present and publish current scientific research on topics that will likely influence the future of prescribed fire. Despite critical dependence of natural ecosystems and wildfire control efforts on the use of prescribed fire, many new challenges to its continued use have developed. These include the expansion of the wildland-urban interface, stricter air quality regulations, and concerns about the effects of fire on carbon sequestration and mercury cycling. Planning for the future of prescribed fire will require science-based information on which to build sound policy that provides for the public good, including protection from wildfire, conservation of natural areas, and provision of a safe and healthy environment.

Topics to be addressed may include:

•Fire Regimes

•Fire History

•Ecology and Management of the Pine Barrens

•Ecosystem function and restoration

•Fuels management, loading and particulate emissions

•Public awareness and education

•Smoke management and modeling

•Burning in the wildland-urban interface

•Tradeoffs between prescribed fire and wildfire

•Fire management policy

•Carbon sequestration

•Exotics and Invasives


Submit abstracts to fireabstract@ttrs.org

(instructions:  www.talltimbers.org/FEconference)


Registration Opens January 31, 2013. Visit the conference web site for registration deadline and conference fees: http://www.talltimbers.org/FEconference/register.htm.

On your mark, get set, NISAW!

Tomorrow starts Florida’s unofficial National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW). While the folks in DC have the dates from March 4-9, we in Florida decided we needed at least 4 extra days to celebrate.

Events in Florida range from workdays to potato pulls, pet amnesty day to steering committee meetings. All our activities serve to raise awareness of the threat of invasive species and serve to build camaraderie and cooperative efforts in our partnerships.

Here is a PDF calendar that shows events for the following 12 Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs):

1.       Apalachicola Regional Stewardship Alliance CISMA

2.       Central Florida CISMA

3.       East Central Florida CISMA

4.       Everglades CISMA

5.       First Coast Invasive Working Group

6.       Heartland CISMA

7.       Lake County CISMA

8.       Osceola County Cooperative Weed Management Area

9.       Six Rivers CISMA

10.   Suncoast CISMA

11.   Southwest Florida CISMA

12.   Treasure Coast CISMA

Here is an awesome one page handout on “What you can do” during NISAW that was created by Suncoast CISMA. Feel free to steal the idea and spread it wide and far – great message sent along with the flyer:

“National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is once again upon us! We invite you to make an effort to participate in some way this week. Whether you surf the web to learn a new plant, make a commitment to participate in an upcoming workday, or simply talk to your neighbor, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. If you need ideas on what you can do to participate, see the attachment. It is full of ideas. Better yet, print the flyer and post it somewhere others will see it and that can be your contribution to NISAW!”

The latest issue of Florida Wildlife is now available online

The latest issue of Florida Wildlife is now available online at FloridaWildlifeMagazine.com.

Here’s some of what you’ll find between the “digital covers” of this issue… 

• 2013 Python Challenge;
• New signs for Great Fla. Birding & Wildlife Trail;
• Mild winter temps lead to fewer manatee deaths;
• the “Rule of Halves” in managing for turkeys;
• Lake Istokpoga is a lunker locker;
• Geocaching;
• Ferocious ant lions;
• and much more. 

Also, catch up on news about the FWC and Florida’s fish and wildlife in the “News” section of the magazine’s website.

Apply Today for the Leadership Institute

The Wildlife Society is currently accepting applications for its Leadership Institute. 

The Institute facilitates development of new leaders within TWS and the wildlife profession. We’ll recruit 10-15 promising early-career professionals for a series of intensive activities and mentoring relationships. The focus will be on exposing participants to the inner workings of TWS and increasing the number of active leaders in TWS and the wildlife profession.

 

Are you or do you know an early-career professional,
two to three years out of either undergraduate or graduate school,
currently working full-time in a wildlife professional position,
and with demonstrated evidence of leadership potential?

 

Apply today or forward this email to a person who’d make a great fit.

  

 

A small number of slots may also be available for more recent graduates who have shown strong evidence of their leadership potential or for those who are working while concurrently pursuing a graduate degree.

 

From May to October, participants will engage in a series of activities to develop and expand their leadership skills. Institute members will also attend the TWS Annual Conference in Milwaukee (October 4-9, 2013) and participate in various activities, including mentoring and leadership workshop sessions. The Institute is free, and participants will receive free registration and a travel grant for the conference. 

 

All applicants must be members of TWS and a Chapter or Section of TWS. The selection committee will be seeking to create a diverse group, with participants of varying gender, ethnic, and regional diversity.

 

Please contact Laura Bies, Director of Government Affairs at laura@wildlife.org with any questions.

Congratulations to Julie Perreau, winner of the Greater Everglades Student Memorial Scholarship

We are pleased to announce that Julie Perreau is the recipient of the 15th annual scholarship for undergraduate studies, administered by the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society.

Read More

The November issue of "Florida Wildlife" now available online

To view click here.

Help FWF Donate Wildlife Books to Northeast Florida Schools

One of the core missions of the Florida Wildlife Federation is to promote education, conservation and appreciation of Florida's amazing natural environment. The North Atlantic right whale is an endangered species and calves off of the Atlantic coast of Florida. By donating for the "Waltzes with Giants" book you will be helping to place this information into upper-level classrooms throughout Northeast Florida. FWF, along with sister organizations such as FLTWS, aims to foster an awareness of the need for conservation and inspire the next generation which ultimately must take up the torch.

[More Information]

Greater Everglades Student Memorial Scholarship

The Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society, in conjunction with the Florida Wildlife Federation, is sponsoring the Greater Everglades Student Memorial Scholarship.  This scholarship is for undergraduate students who are Juniors or Seniors during the 2012-2013 academic year.  One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded this year. 

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must be interested in pursuing a career in wildlife ecology and/or management, and supportive of the mission of The Wildlife Society.  The student must also be currently enrolled in a 4-year college or university in Florida and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater.  Recipients will be selected on the basis of financial need, extracurricular activities, demonstrated leadership, professional potential, and career goals as stated in the student’s letter.

 Application materials include:

(1) A letter from the student expressing his or her professional goals and financial need;

(2) The student’s resume;

(3) Copies of transcripts from each college or university attended (unofficial copies are acceptable);

(4) One letter of recommendation from a faculty member or wildlife professional.

To be considered for this scholarship, all application materials must be emailed electronically or sent through the mail post-marked on or before 14 December 2012.  Send to: 

     Dr. Holly Ober, Chair

FLTWS Scholarship Committee North Florida Research & Education Center 155 Research Rd. Quincy, FL 32351

      E-mail: holly.ober@ufl.edu

Also, top applicants will be eligible for complimentary TWS membership through the Sponsor-A-Student program.  This will provide membership benefits such as access to the national TWS Mentorship Center, Career Center, publications, and training and networking opportunities.

The scholarship recipient will be selected by the FLTWS Student Scholarship Committee by February 2013.

TWS Invasive Species Working Group Call for Titles for 2013 TWS Conference

Click here for details

Amendment is Common-Sense Approach to Conservation

Florida lawmakers have cut conservation spending more deeply than any other part of government. That’s a fact.

Conservation is a value all Floridians deeply cherish across party lines. The Water and Land Legacy amendment simply seeks to hold the environment harmless.

Since 2009, the Florida Legislature has provided only $23 million for the landmark Florida Forever program, a 97.5 percent reduction from previous funding levels. State appropriations for land management and ecological restoration, including the Everglades, have suffered similar declines.

The news that conservationists have launched a grassroots campaign to amend the Florida Constitution to lock in 1 percent of the state’s budget for water and land conservation has produced some interesting responses from people who want to protect the status quo and oppose letting voters make this important decision.

We want to let the people decide if clean water and natural land are a legacy they want to leave for their children and grandchildren. And that’s what this amendment is all about: conserving land and providing recreational opportunities for Florida’s residents and visitors for generations to come.

First, let’s be clear about what this proposed amendment would do. [Read More]

If you are interested in supporting this amendment, please visit floridawaterlandlegacy.org, and Take Action!