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Annual Conference

2024 Michigan TWS Conference

April 15-17, 2024

Ralph A. MacMullen Conference Center

Roscommon, MI

Plenary Speaker: Dr. Shawn Riley
Searching for the Essence of Wildlife Management

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Shawn Riley is PS Lovejoy Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Management in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University, where he held assignments in research, outreach, and teaching.  He was a scientist in the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management, a long-term partnership between Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and is an Adjunct Professor of Practice at Virginia Tech University’s Center for Environmental Security.  Dr. Riley was awarded two Fulbright Fellowships to Sweden, where he has long-term studies on human-wildlife interactions. He earned a Ph.D. from Cornell University with concentrations in social psychology and environment economics, and B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology and wildlife ecology from Montana State University.  In the 12 years between his studies at Cornell and Montana State, Shawn was a wildlife research and management biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, working mainly on big game and large carnivores. He is an author of more than 100 scientific papers and coauthor of a textbook book, Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management used in courses across three continents.  His main research focus is in evaluating human-wildlife interactions, wildlife management systems, and structured decision-making.

Registration is now open for the 2024 Michigan TWS Annual Conference! This year's theme, Working for Wildlife, seeks to highlight the research, conservation, and management work being done for a species, ecosystem, culture, policy, or community within Michigan. Selected topics will be delivered in a symposium style setting, providing a platform for participants to actively engage with symposium leaders.

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In addition to special topic symposia, the conference will offer several general topic oral presentation sessions as well as a student poster session. These sessions are a great opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to gain valuable experience presenting research topics, network with fellow Michigan wildlifers, and learn about current wildlife research and management throughout the state.

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We invite Michigan’s wildlife students and professionals to submit your idea for a symposium topic, general presentation, or simply attend and enjoy the conference!

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The Michigan TWS annual conference is the largest event of the year that brings Michigan wildlife students and professionals together in a safe, engaging, and fun environment. We look forward to the opportunity to learn from and connect with the Michigan TWS community at our annual conference, hosted at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ RAM Center along beautiful Higgins Lake.

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Extended Deadline: March 15th

We invite students (undergraduate or graduate) and professionals to submit proposals for oral or poster presentations. In addition to special topic symposium sessions, we will also offer several general topic oral presentation sessions and a student poster session. Presentations can highlight completed projects or projects in progress, and are open to any wildlife-related topic relevant to Michigan or the Great Lakes region (e.g., research, management, education, etc.). Proposal abstracts for both oral and poster presentations must be 300 words or less in length.

Extended Deadline: March 15th

We invite submissions for special topic symposia. Each symposium will be delivered during an 80-minute session. Sessions can be structured to accommodate the desired format by the symposium organizer but require at least three speakers and time for audience engagement (e.g., Q&A, panel discussion). Topics should relate to the Working for Wildlife,  conference theme (see above). 

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The Michigan TWS Executive Board is offering a limited number of Student Professional Development Grants ($200 each) to encourage student participation at the upcoming annual chapter meeting

Tentative Schedule

Mon, April 15

1:00pm - 5:00pm

 

Professional Development Workshops:

Acoustic Monitoring Workshop 

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TBD: Higgins Lake State Park fieldtrip

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Light snacks and dinner

will be provided.

Tue, April 16

8:00am - 9:00pm

Invited Plenary

Special Topic Symposia

Contributed Presentations

Society Business Meeting

Professional-Student Social Mixer

Poster Presentations

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Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks during breaks will be provided.

Wed, April 17

8:00am - 12:00pm

Special Topic Symposia

Contributed Presentations

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Breakfast and snacks during breaks will be provided.

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Past Conferences

2023 Michigan Fisheries & Wildlife Society Annual Conference

We hoped you enjoyed attending the annual conference and meeting held on March 22-24, 2023.

Wed, March 22

1:00pm - 5:30pm

Professional Development Workshops:

Knot Tying

Field Safety Planning

Mussel Identification Test 

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Light snacks and refreshments

will be provided.

Thu, March 23

8:00am - 9:00pm

Invited Plenary

Contributed Presentations

Chat with the Chiefs

Society Business Meetings

Professional-Student Social

Poster Presentations

Student Chapter Fundraising Raffle

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Lunch, dinner, and snacks during breaks will be provided.

Fri, March 24

8:00am - 12:00pm

Invited Plenary

Contributed Presentations

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Breakfast and snacks during breaks will be provided.

Programs from Past Conferences:

2023: Bellaire, MI - Michigan Fish & Wildlife Conference

2022: Virtual

2021: Virtual

2020Virtual Membership Meeting

2019Gaylord, MI - Michigan Fish & Wildlife Conference

2018Gaylord, MI

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