April 2017

WMI has hired a Wildlife Biologist/Transportation Specialist to work with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDF&G) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). Over the next three years, Renee Seidler will work from the IDF&G Idaho Falls regional office to incorporate wildlife crossing and connectivity information into environmental assessments; develop data and information on wildlife roadkill, connectivity, and crossings; and recommend best management practices for transportation projects in Idaho. In particular, Renee will be focused on reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) and facilitating wildlife movement across US 20 north of Ashton, ID, a major gateway route to Yellowstone National Park.

The 2017 Fish and Wildlife Business Summit was held April 3-4 in Kennesaw, Georgia with Yamaha Motor Corporation?Marine Division serving as the host. This annual gathering of state, federal, industry, and NGO leaders is in its 11th year and continues to focus on improving relationships among the partners linked by the conservation funding generated by excise taxes on fishing, hunting, and shooting equipment and motorboat fuel. The topic of this year?s Summit was industry participation and collaboration in the recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of anglers, boaters, hunters, and shooters.

Wildlife biologist, certified forester, and forest conservationist, Jimmy Bullock was the recipient of the Wildlife Management Institute?s 2017 George Bird Grinnell Award for Distinguished Service to Natural Resource Conservation. The honor was conferred during the 82nd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference last month in Spokane, Washington.

The 83rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference will be held at the Hilton Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 25-30, 2018. The Conference Steering Committee is seeking ideas and participation from professional conservation interests to help develop the conference agenda. In particular, recommendations for topics, potential co-chairs and presenters for four Special Sessions are invited. Ideas for prospective plenary keynote speakers are also welcome.