WAFWA's Summer Meeting went virtual with a full schedule of new events and sessions. The Plenary Session was "The Fifth R: Resiliency in Uncertain Times".
The Fifth R: Resiliency in Uncertain Times
WAFWA had a Plenary Session titled “The Fifth R: Resiliency in Uncertain Times”. We all know about recruitment, retention, reactivation and relevancy, as it relates to our fish and wildlife resources. However, given climate change, the COVID pandemic, and other factors currently impacting our lives and our work, we need to turn our focus to resiliency, the Fifth R. The organizations you work for, are members of, or who you partner with, are all facing issues exacerbated by current conditions or issues that they have never had to deal with before. One key to effectively managing the impact of those issues may be our resiliency.
Another new topic at this year’s meeting will be focused on illegal turtle trade. The “Stolen Turtles: The Program of Illegal Trade in Turtles at Local, Regional, National, and International Scales” Workshop will introduce the issue of illegal turtle trade through presentations on the global turtle trade to Asia, illicit turtle trade and enforcement efforts within the United States, efforts to detect illegal shipments, and housing and repatriating confiscated animals. The workshop will include a panel discussion after the talks to focus on needs and solutions.
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
AFWA Legal Strategies Advisory Council (invite only)
WAFWA Plenary Session: Welcome Remarks and Plenary Session: The Fifth R – ResiliencyParticipate in this session and you’ll be entered to win a Fly-Fishing Package, courtesy of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s! FW Vector Fly Rod, Prestige Plus Reel, Prestige Plus floating line, River Creel Bag, Vanguard Sling Pack, Vanguard Vest, fly box, assorted flies, and tackle to complete the package. Value $679.00
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sponsor Social Hour: Grab a beer or a glass of wine and hear what our sponsors have to share! WAFWA President, Mike Fowlks will thank and introduce the sponsors at the Silver Level and higher, and then sponsors will host “lounges” where participants can visit and learn about new initiatives and programs. Attendees will be able to visit multiple sponsors throughout the hour. Very similar to the virtual trade show hours, but in a more relaxed social setting where sponsors can tee up important conversations they want to have throughout the conference. We are asking sponsors to have a raffle to encourage attendance. If attendees visit more than 4 of the sponsors, they will be entered to win a Bass Pro Shops Gift Card. Participate in this session and you’ll be entered to win a Binocular Package, courtesy of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s! Cabela’s Intensity HD Binoculars 15x56mm and a Vesta Aluminum full size Tripod. Value $489.00
The work of our wonderful partners will be on display at WAFWA’s virtual trade show! Just as at an in-person event, attendees may explore the Trade show to “pick up” digital brochures, fact sheets, and reports. There are even opportunities to interact one-on-one with representatives staffing the booths to learn more, ask questions or see live presentations. Dedicated Trade Show hours will be from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (MT) on Thursday (July 9), Friday (July 10) and Monday (July 13).
12:15 pm -12:45 pm
Amplify The Licensing Story (invite only) – State Agency leadership discuss the role content creators can play to amplify the “Go Outdoors” recruitment message and provide digital mentorship for ongoing retention. Featuring The Hunting Public, an online video series showcasing tips and strategies for hunters. Hosted by Brandt Information Services.
1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Directors Forum with Commissioners – Sponsor remarks by Brandt Information Services; Mule Deer Foundation; Sovereign Sportsman Solution; and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Women in Wildlife Conservation Reception – Virtual Happy Hour at WAFWA
Come hang out with colleagues and meet new friends in an informal gathering hosted by the Women in Wildlife Conservation Network. Bring your favorite libation and/or snack food. We will provide the opportunity to break out into small groups and have enlightening discussions or just hang out. Hope to see you there! All invited!
Mission: The mission of the Women in Wildlife Conservation Network is to empower and inspire women in the natural resources and conservation community; to provide a venue to share and learn from all genders; to help women aspire to and succeed in leadership positions; and to welcome all women into the conservation field.
Join Awards Chairperson, Nevada Director Tony Wasley as he shares this years winners of the Federal Conservation Partner of the Year, Outstanding Citizen Wildlife Contributor of the Year, President’s Award, Commission/Board of the Year, Professional of the Year, Pogue-Elms Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Outstanding WAFWA Contributor of the Year and Special Recognition Awards. After the presentation, you’ll be encouraged to visit with the winners in their Winners circles!
Participate in this session and you’ll be entered to win a Camping package, courtesy of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s! Includes a Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Geodesic 6-person tent, Cabela’s Mountain Trapper Sleeping Bag and a Cabela’s Sleeping Pad. Value $1,189.00
We all know about recruitment, retention, reactivation and relevancy, as it relates to our fish and wildlife resources. However, given climate change, the COVID pandemic, and other factors currently impacting our lives and our work, we need to turn our focus to resiliency, the Fifth R. The organizations you work for, are members of, or who you partner with, are all facing issues exacerbated by current conditions or issues that they have never had to deal with before. One key to effectively managing the impact of those issues may be our resiliency. The plenary schedule is as follows:
Welcome Remarks: Mike Fowlks, Director, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and President, Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
Dr. Mamie Parker, former Assistant Director of the US Fish & Wildlife Service and current Board chair of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will start the session with an inspirational keynote address on resiliency as it relates to her personal life and professional career. After a short break, we’ll return with a panel discussion. The panelists will share how personal and organizational resiliency resulted in positive change in their organizations. This might be adapting to climate change, managing through severe financial crisis or changes in leadership, developing the next generation of conservationists, or leading through a pandemic. They will also reflect on how WAFWA can improve its resiliency as an organization moving forward.
DR. MAMIE PARKER Success Coach, Transformational Speaker and Facilitator, Ma Parker and Associates An executive coach, facilitator, and inspirational public speaker, Mamie Parker is a retired fish and wildlife biologist who rose to the rank of Assistant Director for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Washington, DC. She made history when appointed the first African American USFWS Northeast Regional Director in the Senior Executive Service. She also served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Fisheries. Mamie has vast experience in water resources planning, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act, wetland protection, and restoration.
Panelists:
TONY WASLEY Director, Nevada Department of Wildlife
Tony Wasley is the Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, assuming that role in 2013. He started at the agency in 1997 as a Wildlife Staff Specialist and has held various roles in his 23 years with the state. He has two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of California in Wildlife Management and Biological Science, and a Masters of Science from Idaho State University. He is a fellow of the National Conservation Leadership Institute. He has held numerous positions on non-profit boards, most recently as chair of the Executive Committee for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and Immediate past chair of the Intermountain West Joint Venture.
AMY LUEDERS Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Amy Lueders graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. She began her federal career with the Bureau of Land Management in 1984 holding numerous high-level positions including Mineral Economist, Field Manager, and State Director for Nevada and then New Mexico. In 2017 Amy was appointed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director where she leads 800 Service employees based on national wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, and offices across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. Throughout her Federal career with the she has worked hard to develop mutually beneficial solutions to issues of concern to local communities and the nation.
COLLIN O’MARA President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation
Collin O’Mara serves as President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. O’Mara serves on the Wildlife Hunting and Heritage Conservation Council, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, and the Blue Ribbon Panel for Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources. He also represents the National Wildlife Federation as a member of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Policy Council, and the BlueGreen Alliance. In 2015, O’Mara was named Bass Pro Shop’s Conservation Partner of the Year. He is regularly called before Congress to testify about wildlife, water, and sportsmen issues.
LISETTE WAITS Department of Fish & Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho and President, National Association of University Fish & Wildlife Programs
Lisette Waits is President of the National Association of University Fish and Wildlife Programs. She has been a faculty member at the University of Idaho for 23 years and is currently a Distinguished Professor and Department Head in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences. She has a BS in Genetics from University of Georgia and PhD in Genetics from University of Utah where she studied the phylogenetics and population genetics of grizzly bears. She has been a leader in the fields of conservation genetics and molecular ecology with particular focus on developing methods for noninvasive genetic monitoring of wildlife and landscape genetics. Her research has focused on using genetic methods to study over 30 different wildlife species in North America, Central America, South America, Europe and Asia. She is an elected fellow of The Wildlife Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She currently serves on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Conservation Genetics North American Working Group and the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Genetics Working Group.
