In the spirit of emphasizing and highlighting relevant conservation information, I want to encourage you to note the dates (March 25-29) and location (Grand Rapids, MI) of the upcoming 89^th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. WMI is very excited by the early interest in this year’s conference and the thought-provoking and engaging topics being covered in the plenary and special sessions. The four unique special session topics include ESA, relevancy, wildlife values, and conservation history. You can find more information on the special sessions here on our website.

As I type this brief message, I can finally see snow falling in the mountains outside my office window and an arctic blast is sending many temperatures around the country to well below zero and closer to season appropriate averages. Despite the feeling and appearance of winter that is now present, it’s important to reflect on this year’s Christmas time snow cover as one of the lowest recorded or the latest arrival of below zero temperatures in much of the country. What does late snow and slow-to-arrive cold temperatures do to habitats, forage, species, migrations, pathogens, and their interactions? Climate variability and the challenges it presents to fish and wildlife managers will be an evident thread woven throughout the themes of conversations at the North American Conference whether directly in discussing climate change or indirectly as we endeavor to meet the needs of habitats and species that struggle to adapt at a rate commensurate with the rate of change around them.

WMI is grateful for all our partners and ONB readers and we are looking forward to 2024 with excitement and enthusiasm. The future is bringing some exciting opportunities that I am anxious to share through this dedicated forum. Again, Happy New Year and I hope to see you at the North American!