The first evidence of zebra or quagga mussels has been found in the upper Missouri River basin in central Montana. In late 2016, water samples collected from Tiber Reservoir on the Marias River confirmed the presence of larvae of this invasive aquatic species. Samples from Canyon Ferry Reservoir on the Missouri River near Helena showed ?suspected? presence. These mussels pose a serious threat to the ecology of Montana?s waterways, as well as irrigation and municipal water systems. State authorities are developing a comprehensive response strategy to be in place prior to the next boating season to prevent further spread of the mussels.

?A fully loaded supertanker has run hard aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska.? That March 24, 1989 news was followed by agonizing images of millions of gallons of oil gushing from the Exxon Valdez. On April 20, 2010, a nighttime explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon from an oil well blowout 20,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico seared this catastrophe into the public?s psyche. While everyone is aware of the nation?s two worst oil spills and has vivid memories of impacted wildlife and wetlands, few Americans or resource professionals know of the experiences of hundreds of biologists responsible for restoring these ecosystems. Wildlife Successes in Optimum Funding Scenarios ? Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon Restoration, one of four special sessions at the 82nd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, will feature presentations by professionals experienced in the aftermaths of America?s two worst oil spills. Panel speakers will detail the challenges and opportunities when disasters create billions of dollars in fines amidst an aroused public and aggrieved stakeholders. These two examples of meeting restoration goals in the context of funding abundance are especially instructive in 2017 as a new President and Congress address daunting responsibilities and states face budget shortfalls.

Energy development in the United States continues to grow and evolve as economic, political, and societal pressures shape national energy policy. The past decade has seen tremendous growth in renewable energy development and use of unconventional methods for oil and gas extraction. New technologies make it possible for energy to be generated from new sources and new locations, often with limited understanding of impacts on the environment and wildlife. As a result, conservation alongside energy development is becoming a top priority for a growing number of natural resource and wildlife management agencies. A special session at the 82^nd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, Conservation in a Changing Energy Development Landscape, will address how state agencies are using a variety of strategies to influence land-use decisions regarding energy development. Speakers will share insights about strategies they have implemented to balance conservation and wildlife management priorities with expanding energy-generation capacity. Special sessions are scheduled between 10 am to 12 noon on Wednesday March 8 at the Davenport Grand Hotel in Spokane Washington.

In 2014, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell formalized a Youth Initiative to expand career, educational, volunteer, and recreational opportunities for youth and veterans on the nation?s public lands, including partnerships with businesses. One unique program that does just this is a partnership between USGS and the Fairfax County Public Schools to provide students with disabilities with actual employment training. Students from the county?s STEP program (Secondary Transition to Employment Program) are matched with a USGS mentor or project team from across the country.