2011 Annual Conference

The Wildlife Society
Western Section

February 8-11, 2011
Riverside Convention Center
Riverside, CA

Sponsors

Detect logo
 Amec logo
USFS logo
BLM logo

Ecorp logo
WRI logo Bonterra logo
Iberdrola logo
SacShasta logo
SWA logo

San Francisco
Bay Area
Chapter


Links to other pages/documents:

Conference Abstracts:
Links to information on this page:

Schedule

 

The following schedule is a summary of the conference and symposia:

Tuesday, February 8
7:45 a.m. Western Raptor Symposium Registration (Grand Ballroom Foyer)
7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Coffee / Light Breakfast (Grand Ballroom Foyer)
8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Pre-Conference Symposium: Western Raptors (Grand Ballroom)
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Vendors and Exhibitors (Grand Ballroom Foyer)
10:25 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Break (snacks provided)
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Break (snacks provided)
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. TWS-WS Executive Board Meeting (Aviators Room - Riverside Convention Center, Members welcome)
5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Raptors Symposium Welcome Reception with light Hors dœuvres, No Host Bar (Orangecrest - Marriott)
 
Wednesday, February 9 (Note: All Wednesday activities are at the Riverside Convention Center)
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Raptors and Fungus Symposium Registration (West Foyer Area, Convention Center)
7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Coffee (Ben Lewis North)
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. California Martes Working Group (unofficial meeting) (Arlington Room)
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Raptor Symposium continues at Convention Center (De Anza Room)
8:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Pre-Conference Symposium: Fungus: What Every Biologist Should Know About WNS and CTS (Magnolia Room)
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Annual Conference Registration (West Foyer)
10:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Vendors and Exhibitors (Ben Lewis North)
10:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Symposia Break (snacks provided) (Ben Lewis North)
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch Break (lunch not provided)
1:00 p.m. 2011 Annual Meeting Opening
1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Session: Carnivores (Victoria North Room)
1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Session: Conservation and Management of Military Lands (De Anza)
1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Session: Southern California Wildlife Management Issues (Magnolia)
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bat Working Group (unofficial meeting) (Citrus Heritage Room)
2:45 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. Break (snacks provided) (Ben Lewis North)
3:05 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. Concurrent Session: Carnivores continues (De Anza)
3:05 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. Concurrent Session: Conservation and Management of Military Lands continues (Victoria North)
3:05 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. Concurrent Session: Southern California Wildlife Management Issues continues (Magnolia)
3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Poster Set-up (Ben Lewis North)
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. TWS-Hawaii Planning Meeting (Victoria South)
5:45 p.m. Poster session opening (Ben Lewis North)
6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Annual Conference Poster Session and Welcome Reception with Hors dœuvres, No-Host Bar (Ben Lewis North) requires ticket or symbol on name badge indicating payment.
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Chapter Meetings (various locations; see Day and Room Designations for details; inset and page 1)
 
Thursday, February 10
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. HSU Alumni Assn, Wildlife Chapter (unofficial meeting) (Aviators)
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration (West Foyer)
7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vendors, Exhibitors, and Posters (Ben Lewis North)
7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Coffee/ Light Breakfast (Ben Lewis North)
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Plenary Session (De Anza/ Victoria)
10:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Refreshment Break (Ben Lewis North)
10:20 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mohave Ground Squirrel Working Group (unofficial meeting) (Aviators)
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch Break (lunch not provided)
1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Session: Alternative Energy vs. Arid Land Resources (De Anza)
1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Session: Amphibians and Reptiles (Victoria North)
1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Session: Diseases and Parasitism (Magnolia)
1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Session: Small Mammals I (Arlington)
1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Oral Presentation Workshop: How NOT to Give a Scientific Presentation (La Sierra Room)
2:45 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. Break (snacks provided) (Ben Lewis North)
3:05 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Session: Alternative Energy vs. Arid Land Resources continues (De Anza)
3:05 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. Concurrent Session: Amphibians and Reptiles continues (Victoria North)
3:05 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Session: Diseases and Parasitism continues (Magnolia)
3:05 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. Concurrent Session: Small Mammals I continues (Arlington)
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Résumé Workshop (La Sierra)
4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Red Fox Working Group (unofficial meeting) (Citrus Heritage)
 
Thursday Evening
5:10 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. Annual Business Meeting and Member’s Forum (Arlington)
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. No-host Cocktail Reception (Ben Lewis North)
7:00p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Banquet, Awards Ceremony, Raffle, Entertainment (Ben Lewis South) requires ticket or symbol on name badge indicating payment
9:20p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Movie- Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time (California Premier) (Ben Lewis South) Open to all registered conference attendees.
 
Friday, February 11, 2011
7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Final Conference Registration (West Foyer)
7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Vendors, Exhibitors and Posters (Ben Lewis North)
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Coffee/ Light Breakfast (Ben Lewis North)
8:00 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Concurrent Session: Southern California Islands (Victoria North)
8:00 a.m. to 10:05 a.m. Concurrent Session: Invasive Species (De Anza)
8:00 a.m. to 10:05 a.m. Concurrent Session: Conservation Planning (Magnolia)
8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Concurrent Session: Small Mammals II (Arlington)
9:30 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. Career Fair (La Sierra)
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Résumé Workshop (Citrus Heritage)
10:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Pika Working Group (unofficial meeting) (Arlington)
10:05 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. Break (snacks provided) (Ben Lewis North)
10:25 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Concurrent Session: Southern California Islands continues (Victoria North)
10:25 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Concurrent Session: Shorebirds and Waterfowl (De Anza)
10:25 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Concurrent Session: Passerines (Magnolia)
11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Lunch Break (lunch not provided)
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Student/Professional Lunch (La Sierra). Free to students and professionals who have ticket or symbol on name badge indicating advance registration
12:50 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Concurrent Session: Southern California Islands continues (Victoria North)
12:50 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Concurrent Session: Shorebirds and Waterfowl continues (De Anza)
12:50 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Concurrent Session: Passerines continues (Magnolia)
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Western Section Executive Board Meeting (Aviators)


Conference Theme

Alternative Energy and Wildlife: Current Efforts to Balance Conflicting Sustainability Goals

Plenary Session Theme

Recruiting the Next Generation of Wildlife Professionals

At the core of our wildlife profession is an appreciation for all things natural. This appreciation has been honed in each of us over the years beginning during our youths, through our academic careers, and now into our professional lives. With this appreciation of living things and the environment comes an understanding of the complex mechanisms and processes that would otherwise be absent without a practical environmental education. Today’s youth receive far less exposure to the natural environment than previous generations. Increased urbanization and technological distractions, such as video games and computers, have contributed to this so called “Nature Deficit Disorder”. One has to wonder how such trends will affect the future of wildlife management. The Plenary presentations and panel discussion will provide an overview of what’s currently being done to foster an appreciation for the natural environment within today’s youth, and identify ways that members of the Western Section and can get involved. The Plenary Session will be held Thursday morning. Speakers to be announced.

Concurrent Sessions

Session titles may be added or changed at a later date. Please check back for frequent updates.
General Sessions Chair
Ecology and Management of Carnivores: John Perrine
Ecology and Management of Shorebirds and Waterfowl: Dave Shuford
Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles: Natasha Dvorak
Ecology and Management of Passerines: Armand Gonzales
Ecology and Conservation of Small Mammals (Bats, Rodents, Lagomorphs, and Insectivores):Scott Osborn and
Dave Johnston
   
Special Sessions Chair
Alternative Energy vs. Arid Lands Resources: Kathy Simon
Desert Ecosystems: Melissa Bubsy
Southern California Wildlife Management Issues: TBD
NCCP/HCP Update Session: Brock Ortega
Wildlife Management on Military Lands in the West: Rhys Evans
Southern California Island Ecology and Management: Dave Garcelon
Ecotoxicology and Metals in the West: Harry Ohlendorf
Disease and Parasitism: Deana Clifford and Rick Brown
Ecology and Management of Invasive Species: Cameron Barrows
   
Posters Chair
All topics: Canh Nguyen

Poster Session

A poster session will be held for the Annual Conference on the evening of Wednesday, February 9, during the welcome mixer and social. Posters will also be available for viewing at other times and locations throughout the week.

Registration

On-line registration for the Western Section Annual Conference is now open. Click a link below to go to the online registration form.

Pre-Conference Symposia

Raptors

Tuesday, February 8 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Concluding on Wednesday, February 9 – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Raptors, raptors and more raptors! Topics to be covered include: The Raptor Symposium is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 8 and 9, 2011, which is just before the regular conference scientific sessions begin. Planned as a 1.5 day, intensive and high-level scientific symposium, we will cover all of those topics and more. A poster session, an evening social mixer and raptor-themed competitions are under consideration. Co-sponsored by experts affiliated with the Wildlife Research Institute and with speakers planned from universities, agencies and consulting firms, this symposium is sure to increase your knowledge and understanding of these ecologically critical species. Energetics, Translocation, Modeling, GIS techniques, Alternative Energy impacts and many more topics will be discussed. Join us!

Fungus: What Every Wildlife Biologist Should Know about the Emerging Threats of Chytrid Disease and White-Nose Syndrome

Wednesday, February 9 – 8:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
The fungi associated with Chytridiomycosis in amphibians and White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats have caused catastrophic population declines in these taxa. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the causal agent of Chytridiomycosis, now occurs throughout the the temperate and tropical regions of the world but has had its greatest impact on frog populations in the Americas, Australia, and Europe. It may have caused the extinction of several tropical frog species and may lead to the extinction of many others. Geomyces destructans (Gd), associated with mass mortality events at hibernacula of North American bats, has killed an estimated one million bats since its appearance in 2006. Bats affected by WNS include two endangered species, the Indiana bat and gray bat. Recent models suggest WNS could cause the extinction of the little brown bat in the eastern United States within 20 years. This symposium will provide an overview of the biology and etiology of Bd and Gd, will describe the expected population impacts to amphibians and bats as the diseases spread, and will describe procedures field biologists should employ to detect signs of Chytriomycosis and WNS, as well as how to employ decontamination procedures to reduce the risk of transmitting the diseases.

Special Events

Student–Professional Lunch and Career Fair
The Section will host a student–professional lunch and career fair, free to students, at noon on Friday, February 11, 2011. Students will have the opportunity to discuss career choices, the job market, and job qualifications with practicing professionals from the Western Section. Students should indicate their intent to attend the free lunch when they register for the conference. To participate in the career fair, please contact the Career Fair coordinator Karen Swaim ( kswaim@swaimbio.com ). Space is limited. Those not indicating their intent to attend on the registration form will be accommodated as space allows.

ECORP logo
SBI logo
ESA logo
ICF logo
Bonterra logo
TAIC logo
Cal Fish and Game logo USFS logo WES logo

Annual Raffle & Auction
A raffle and silent auction will be held during the conference banquet on Thursday, February 11. Tickets for the raffle will be available for purchase throughout the conference. Typical donations for the raffle include wine, wildlife artwork, books, travel and field gear. In addition, the Section is seeking, and will offer through the raffle and auction as available, hunting and fishing trips, adventure travel trips, whitewater rafting trips, and similar items. To donate items for the raffle, please contact Lisa Olliver at lollivier@fs.fed.us or call (707) 840-0829..

Résumé Workshop
The Western Section is pleased to announce the return of our fantastic résumé workshop! Barbara Peters from the Career Center at Humboldt State University (retired) will be present (tentatively scheduled for Thursday afternoon and Friday morning) to offer outstanding guidance on job searching to students and young professionals.

Effective Oral Presentation Workshop
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve, this informative (and likely humorous) mini-workshop will provide you with information and tips for presenting your research work to your peers. Instructor Jon Hooper will provide demonstrations on how to give an effective presentation….and how NOT to.

West Coast Movie Premiere: Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic For Our Time

Additional Information

Student Travel Grants
A limited number of student travel grants may be available. Contact the Awards and Grants Committee Chair ( rburg@parks.ca.gov ) for additional details.

Student Volunteers and Registration Reimbursement
Currently enrolled students may qualify for registration refunds in exchange for volunteering time and services at the conference. Typical jobs include assisting at the registration desk as well as operating PowerPoint and related equipment during presentations. In some cases, students may be able to work in a session they already plan to attend. Additional information is available from the chair of the Student Affairs Committee dderuiter@frc.edu or our Volunteer Coordinator jscruggs@tidepool.com. Note: Students must pre-register AND pre-pay for the conference. Upon certified completion of a minimum of six hours’ volunteer service, a request for reimbursement will be provided.

Professional Development
Members will be eligible to earn credit hours for Professional Development, Professional Development Certificates and for TWS Certification renewal (note: meetings such as this do not normally qualify for an initial TWS certification application). Additional information will be provided in the final conference program.

Publication In The Western Section Journal Transactions
Presenters of papers at the Western Section's Annual Conference are encouraged to submit their papers for publication in the "Transactions of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society." The Western Section has been continuously publishing these journals as its technical publication of record since 1966. Between 1966 and 2005, a total of 40 volumes and 655 papers have been published in the Transactions. Original papers in the field of wildlife ecology and management, habitat management, conservation biology, and related natural resource topics are published, and all papers of interest to Western Section members are considered for publication, especially those resulting from presentations at the Section’s Annual Conference. The Transactions has an open submission policy so that manuscripts can be submitted to the Transactions Editor at any time. However, manuscripts must be submitted by the first day of May of a given year to ensure publication in the volume for that year. Manuscripts submitted after May 1 will be reviewed, but may not be published until the following year. There are no page charges for papers published by current members of the Western Section! Potential authors should review the guidelines for preparing and submitting manuscripts on the Section web site at www.tws-west.org or contact the Transactions Editor, John Harris ( johnh@mills.edu ).

Availability of the Transactions
Transactions of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society are now available in an online directory containing a chronological index of all papers published since 1966. The 2010 Transactions papers are expected to be available in February 2011.

Hotel Information and Accommodations

The 2011 Annual Conference will be held at the Riverside Convention Center. Hotel accommodations for Conference participants have been arranged at the Riverside Marriott which is located immediately adjacent to the Conference Center. The Riverside Marriot/ Convention Center Complex is located a few blocks form the heart of downtown Riverside.
Please help keep conference registration rates low by staying at the Marriott hotel.
Riverside Marriott
3400 Market Street
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone:(951) 784-8000
Fax: (951) 369-7127

Special Offerings for TWS-WS Conference attendees:


Transportation

The Riverside Convention Center and Marriott hotel are located off the 91 Fwy, approximately 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Two major airports are located within 50 miles of the facility (Ontario International and John Wayne/ Orange County). Ontario International is the closest and is located 16 miles west of Riverside.

Area Airports

Airport Distance Directions Estimated Taxi Fare
LA/Ontario International Airport - ONT 16 miles Take CA-60 East. Exit Market Street towards downtown to the right. Merge onto Market Street and turn left onto 5th Street - hotel on left side. $40 one way
Los Angeles - LAX 62 miles 105 East connect to the 605 north, connect to the 60 East, exit Market Street, turn right, hotel is 1/2 mile on the left side. Corner of 5th and Market Streets.  
Orange County/John Wayne - SNA 45 miles 405 Fwy north. 55 Fwy north. 91 Fwy east , exit University Avenue, turn left. Turn right on Market Street. Hotel is 3 block up on the right hand side on the corner of 5th and Market streets. $120 one-way

Public transportation to/from LAX

Shuttles

Marriott Shuttle:
Riverside Marriott guests may take advantage of a complimentary shuttle between Ontario International Airport and the hotel. A 72 hour advance reservation is required in order to utilize the complementary shuttle.

Super Shuttle www.supershuttle.com :
From Ontario- $35 one-way
From John Wayne/ OC - $75 one-way


Dining

Situated in the heart of downtown Riverside, you’ll find the city’s best restaurants within blocks of the hotel.



Attractions in Riverside

Hike Mt. Roubidoux:
Hopefully all meeting attendees will have time to hike the 3-mile loop trail up Mt. Roubidoux!
Outstanding views of snow-capped peaks, infamous colorful sunrises and sunsets and fresh air await you on this wonderful hike. Locals access the mountain from several trailheads, but the best route for first-time Rubidoux ramblers is by way of the Ninth Street gate, an inspired beginning for what can be an inspiring jaunt. (1.5 miles from the Marriott Hotel.)

UC Riverside Botanic Gardens:
Come enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the UCR Botanic Gardens – just 4 miles from the Riverside Convention Center! Nestled in the foothills of the Box Springs Mountains on the east side of the University of California, Riverside Campus, the Garden covers 40 hilly acres. Wander over four miles of scenic trails or just relax on a bench and enjoy the beauty. The Gardens is a living plant museum with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world for visitors and researchers to see and study. Open daily from 8am-5pm. Admission is $2.
Directions: From Martin Luther King Blvd. turn right on Canyon Crest. Canyon Crest ends at West Campus Drive. Follow Campus Drive to Botanic Gardens Drive and turn right toward Lot 10. Pass Lot 10 and follow Botanic Gardens Drive to the Gardens entrance and parking area. A free color brochure and freeway map is available.