We reported in February 2021 that the wildlife agencies in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Connecticut had implemented new Harvest Information Program (HIP) procedures to improve the quality of data received from migratory bird hunters. Hunters usually obtain HIP certification while purchasing their hunting license by answering a series of screening questions. Too often, HIP certifications are issued to hunters who do not intend to hunt migratory birds or who provide incomplete or inaccurate information. The new procedures implemented in these states have hunters obtaining HIP certification by directly contacting the state agency.

In 2022, the United States has ongoing zoonotic diseases that have made national news: SARS-CoV-2 (a strain of coronavirus), HPAI (a strain of avian influenza), and Monkeypox (a viral disease). It should be noted that HPAI has had only two reported cases in humans, according to CDC. These diseases, in addition to ongoing concerns about non-zoonotic diseases, such as Chronic Wasting Disease, epizootic hemorrhage disease, White-nose syndrome, snake fungal disease (Ophidiomycosis), and RHDV-2 (a rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus) have kept wildlife health professionals and their counterparts in human health and livestock health scrambling to protect the health of all. The call for greater collaboration and coordination of efforts across the disciplines of wildlife health, livestock health, and human health has increased, and efforts are underway to address the underlying issues.

The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), in partnership with the Metropolitan Group (MG) and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VA DWR) recently completed a 20 month journey to implement several recommendations presented in the Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap (Roadmap). Funded through a 2021 AFWA Multi-state Conservation Grant, a soon to be released report describes the project and the journey undertaken by the VA DWR with Outdoor Afro, the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe, and the Rappahannock Tribe.

Current Conservation without Conflict Executive Director, Lauren Ward, has announced that she will be stepping down from her position as Executive Director to focus more time with her family. The Cw/oC Executive Committee wants to thank Lauren for her leadership and efforts to advance the Cw/oC approach. Executive Committee Chair and Wildlife Management Institute President, Steve Williams, remarked, “Lauren has taken a concept and developed a strong coalition of agencies and organizations that will continue to advance collaboration and produce successful partnerships in response to difficult conservation issues. We thank Lauren for her vision and coordination. Cw/oC is positioned to become a more powerful coalition due to Lauren’s efforts. We wish her all the best in the next phase of her career.”

Michigan State University will host a new collaborative U.S. Geological Survey research unit focused on the overall advancement, conservation and protection of natural resources in Michigan and beyond. Following is the press release issued on November 4, 2022.