A full-day workshop on climate change impacts on fish and wildlife is scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2008, leading off the 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Growing concerns about climate change have prompted this gathering of natural resource scientists, managers, researchers and others. The workshop is being designed to address the current state of knowledge of climate-change impacts on fish and wildlife and of projected needs and opportunities to prevent or minimize adverse consequences. All Conference attendees are invited and encouraged to attend.

Sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center/National Commission on Energy Policy, the Hewlett Foundation and the Wildlife Management Institute, the workshop will include presentations and discussion of:

• impacts to cold-water, warm-water and marine fisheries
• changes in big game wintering habitat distribution and quality
• impacts to upland birds, waterfowl and wetlands
• potential fish and wildlife health issues
• research and science needs
• state and federal agency response
• funding needed to address management challenges
• current federal climate change legislation
• impacts to outdoor recreation and participation

For additional information, please contact one of the following co-chairs John Cooper john.cooper@state.sd.us, Amber Pairis APairis@fishwildlife.org or Steve Williams swilliams@wildlifemgt.org. The final agenda will be available in December.