Member Events
Upcoming Events for Michigan Chapter Members
Acoustic Monitoring Workshop
April 15, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 pm
Ralph A. MacMullen (RAM) Conference Center
Roscommon, MI
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Workshop will be in-person on the first day
of the Michigan TWS Annual Conference.
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Sign up for the workshop as part of your conference registration: https://forms.gle/sbQ1BaBkNme4EnZy6
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Students: $15
MITWS Professional members: $50
Professional non-members: $75
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Through this course, you will learn the tools and techniques used for monitoring wildlife via autonomous/acoustic recording units (ARUs), focusing specifically on methods used to monitor both birds and bats. Topics covered include selecting the appropriate ARU, preparing and deploying ARUs, data processing, study design, and more! This workshop will be led by researchers and wildlife professionals from Michigan State University and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
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Earn 3 hr of Continuing Education Credits
in Category I of the TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program
Past Events for Michigan Chapter Members
Virtual Speed Networking
February 8, 2024 from 5:00-6:15 pm EST
Teams Link​
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Join us for a virtual Speed Networking event for wildlife students and professionals. Students will be randomly grouped with our invited professionals and have opportunities to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with other wildlifers in Michigan. Groupings will be reshuffled throughout the event to maximize your networking opportunities!
Drone Workshop
October 27, 2023 from 9:00-1:00 pm
Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
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Register at https://forms.gle/GeoA1K3TX2QV8jqr8
by October 20th
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This workshop will feature presentations from professionals from Calvin University, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Wildlife Drones Inc. Attendees will learn how drones are being used for natural resources management and wildlife research, and attendees will have a chance to take a test flight with Calvin’s drone fleet. This workshop is open to all, but priority will be given to current Michigan TWS members and early registrants. Logistics and additional details will be provided to all registrants prior to the workshop.
Earn 4 hr of Continuing Education Credits
in Category I of the TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program
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Birds, Bees & Biodiversity
August 19, 2023 from 10 am - Noon EST
Saranac-Lowell State Game Area​
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The chapter will be holding a “Birds, Bees, & Biodiversity” social hike hosted by Querkus Creative on August 19th (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) at the Saranac-Lowell State Game Area. This will be an opportunity to get outdoors, socialize with MITWS members, and observe a variety of local flora and fauna. Following the hike, we will gather for lunch in Lowell.
Field Safety Planning Workshop
March 22, 2023 from 1-4 pm EST
Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire, MI
2023 Fish & Wildlife Annual Conference
Through this course you will learn the basics of preparing for and remaining safe during fieldwork. This will include the creation of a field safety plan, what to bring with you into the field, boat and snowmobile safety, considerations for DEI, and more! MITWS members will receive priority registration.
Earn 3 hr of Continuing Education Credits
in Category I of the TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program
Writing Cover Letter Workshop
January 26, 2023 from 5-6:15 pm EST
Virtual event
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Cover letters are your first impression for a search committee and should clearly articulate why your professional experience makes you a strong candidate for the advertised position. This workshop will not only review key elements of a cover letter, but participants will also have opportunities to practice reading (between the lines of) job postings and crafting cover letters to show why they would be a great job candidate. MITWS members will receive priority registration.
Trapping Techniques Workshop + Social
October 11, 2022
Workshop 2-4 pm | Social 4:30 pm
MDNR Rose Lake Field Office | Blue Gill Grill
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Learn trapping techniques used by wildlife professionals at Michigan DNR Wildlife Division and USDA Wildlife Service. The workshop will provide an overview of why and where wildlife trapping is used, as well as trapping regulations, best practices, and public perceptions. The workshop will also demonstrate traps and techniques used for different taxa, including birds, mesocarnivores, and large mammals. Participants will also have opportunities to gain hands-on experience with the traps.
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Earn 2 hr of Continuing Education Credits
in Category I of the TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program
September Social
Following the Great Lakes Coastal Symposium
September 21, 2022 at 5 pm
Birds Eye Outfitters in Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Come meet local biologists and learn about potential opportunities in the area.
You do not need to attend the symposium
to join for us for this event!
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Professional Development Workshop
Time Management
September 8, 2022
2-3:30 pm EST
Workshop is open to current MITWS members.
Not a member yet? Join here!
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The goal of this workshop is to help wildlife professionals reflect on how they prioritize work tasks and learn strategies for task-management, time-management, and maintaining motivation. This event will introduce time management strategies and allow participants to reflect on and discuss how they prioritize work tasks.
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Summer 2022 Field Trip #3
Rescheduled to August 10, 2022
Field trip 11-2 pm | Social 2:30-4 pm
Our third field trip is on Wednesday, Aug 3rd to learn about the Eastern Box Turtle conservation efforts in northern Michigan. This event is cohosted by Angela Kujawa (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians) and Pat Laarman (US Forest Service). Join us to learn about interagency collaborations, habitat management, and turtle telemetry. Field trip participants should plan on meeting at 1pm at the USFS Ranger Office at 1170 Nursery Rd, Wellston, MI 49689, and then will head into the field from there. The social event will immediately follow.
Summer 2022 Field Trip #2
June 23, 2022
Field trip 1-4 pm | Social 4:30 pm
The “Up Tick” in Michigan’s Ticks - Join Dr. Will Miller to learn about field surveillance for disease-carrying ticks that affect humans and wildlife. The surveillance demonstration will be at Rosy Mound Natural Area and folks should meet at 1 pm at The Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing (8115 West Olive Rd, West Olive, MI 49460 – map attached). The social event will immediately follow, ~4:30 pm, at Odd Side Ales (41 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417).
Summer 2022 Field Trip #1
June 4, 2022
Field trip 11-2 pm | Social 2:30-4 pm
Our first trip is a Mushroom Hunt hosted by President-Elect, Gael Sanchez. Join Gael to learn about mushroom hunting and identification! The mushroom hunt will be at Seven Lakes State Park (meet at the Beach Picnic parking lot, map attached) and will be followed by a social hour at Rough Draught Coffee and Barroom (134 N. Fenroy St., Fenton, MI). The field trip is scheduled for 11-2 pm and the social is 2:30-4 pm – join us for one or both events!
TWS Certification Workshop
March 24, 2022
FREE for MITWS Conference attendees
During this workshop, participants worked with a member of The Wildlife Society Certification Review Board and TWS staff to learn more about the Wildlife Biologist Certification Program, how to apply, and the benefits of becoming an Associate or Certified Wildlife Biologist®. Workshop hosts provided guidance and advice on pursuing certification and provided opportunities for participants to ask general and specific questions. The 2-hour workshop included an overview of the certification program, followed by open questions and one-on-one feedback.
Landing a Job in Wildlife
January 19, 2022
This workshop was for aspiring wildlife professionals who were interested in learning more about different careers available in this field! During the first half of the workshop, our panelists shared information and perspectives on how their organizations hire wildlife professionals. During the second half, participants had opportunities to interact with the panelists and ask follow-up questions.
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