Agenda
2022 Schedule at-a-glance
The full conference schedule is coming soon. Until then, check out the draft agenda below to get a sense of what we offer!
Workshop and field trip full descriptions are below.
TUESDAY APRIL 12th
| 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM | Workshop: A Gentle Introduction to Bayesian Statistics for Wildlife Scientists Location: Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center, 920 Scott Lane |
| 8:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Workshop: The Planning/NEPA Process and How it Pertains to Wildlife Conservation on Federal Lands Location: Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center, 920 Scott Lane |
| 8:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Workshop: Sharing science: Messaging and shared values to build stakeholder trust Location: Wyoming Game and Fish Department Jackson Office, 420 North Cache Street |
| 1:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Workshop: The Power of Positive Conflict Location: Wyoming Game and Fish Department Jackson Office, 420 North Cache Street |
| 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Workshop: Lead-Free Ammunition Demo and Communication Tools Location: Jackson Hole Gun Club and Shooting Range, 5570 South US Highway 89 |
| 1:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Golden Eagle Working Group Meeting (open to working group members only) Location: Wyoming Game and Fish Department Jackson Office (upstairs library), 420 North Cache Street |
| 6:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Poster Session and Evening Social Location: Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center, 920 Scott Lane Light dinner and cash bar provided |
WEDNESDAY APRIL 13th
| 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM | Sponsor Booths open |
| 8:00 AM | 8:30 AM | Welcoming remarks/open conference |
| 8:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Invited Plenary Speaker – Riley Black, Science Writer and Paleontologist Title: “Out in the Field – Making Wilderness Safer for LGTBQIA+ People” (see description below) |
| 9:30 AM | 9:45 AM | Coffee break |
| 9:45 AM | 12:00 PM | Contributed Oral Presentations |
| 12:00 PM | 1:15 PM | Student/Professional Networking Pizza Luncheon or lunch on your own |
| 1:15 PM | 2:45 PM | Contributed Oral Presentations |
| 2:45 PM | 3:00 PM | Coffee Break |
| 3:00 PM | 4:15 PM | Contributed Oral Presentations |
| 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM | Panel Discussion #1: Building Inclusive Professional Spaces in the Wildlife Field |
| 6:30 PM | 9:00 PM | Quiz Bowl and Social Location: Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center Dinner provided by Sweet Cheeks Meats and cash bar by Bistro Catering Hard cider tasting by Farmstead Cider |
THURSDAY APRIL 14th
| 5:15 AM | 7:45 AM | Field Trip: Sage-grouse lek in Grand Teton National Park Meet in Lodge at Jackson Hole Hotel Lobby at 5:15 am |
| 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM | Sponsor Booths open |
| 8:00 AM | 8:05 AM | Welcome and announcements |
| 8:05 AM | 9:50 AM | Contributed Oral Presentations |
| 9:50 AM | 10:05 AM | Coffee break |
| 10:05 AM | 12:05 PM | Contributed Oral Presentations |
| 12:05 PM | 1:15 PM | President’s Lunch or lunch on your own Lunch provided by Annie’s Thai Kitchen |
| 1:15 PM | 2:45 PM | Contributed Oral Presentations |
| 2:45 PM | 3:15 PM | Coffee Break |
| 3:15 PM | 4:15 PM | Contributed Oral Presentations |
| 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM | Panel Discussion #2: Integrating Science and Management |
| 6:00 PM | 6:45 PM | Evening Social: silent auction, raffle tickets, games Cash bar by Bistro Catering |
| 6:45 PM | 9:00 PM | Banquet: dinner, awards, silent action, raffle Remarks by The Wildlife Society CEO Ed Arnett Mexican buffet dinner provided by Bistro Catering |
| 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Closing Social Cash bar by Bistro Catering |
FRIDAY APRIL 15th
| 8:00 AM | 10:00 AM | Tours of Teton Raptor Center, Wilson, WY (sign up at Sporting Lead-Free booth) |
Invited Plenary Speaker – Riley Black, Science Writer and Paleontologist
Out in the Field- Making the Wilderness Safer for LGBTQIA+ People
We carry a great deal into wildernesses with us. There are the tents and jackets and gear, of course, but also our beliefs and ideals – including who we feel is welcome in the outdoors. Sadly, racism, sexism, and queerphobia don’t stop as soon as we step into a national park or federal forest, and these attitudes have very real consequences for people from marginalized communities who explore, study, and simply seek to enjoy the outdoors. In this session, author and paleontologist Riley Black draws from her decade of field experience in the Intermountain West and beyond to illuminate how to bust stereotypes and make wild places – whether for a day hike or a long field excursion – safer and more fulfilling for LGTBQIA+ people. There is so much joy to be found in nature, and all should be welcomed within the forests, mountains, and deserts we love.
Workshop and Field Trip Descriptions
A Gentle Introduction to Bayesian Statistics for Wildlife Scientists
Tuesday, April 12, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructors: Dr. Jason Carlisle, Science Research and Analytical Support Unit, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Dr. Jared Studyvin, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Wyoming
Bayesian methods are increasingly used to analyze wildlife data. Although Bayesian methods have some advantages over the classical (frequentist) methods many scientists are familiar with, Bayesian approaches can be more difficult to implement and receive little coverage in traditional wildlife coursework and training. The aim of this workshop is to introduce participants to Bayesian statistics, with the expectation that participants will become better-equipped consumers and producers of scientific inference based on Bayesian methods of data analysis. Hands-on exercises will be run in Program R using its interface to the Program JAGS. We expect that participants will leave with an increased fluency to evaluate research based on Bayesian statistics and with an increased capacity to learn and apply Bayesian methods in their own research. Please visit wytwsconference.org for more details.
$55/person, Limited to 30 participants
Location: Cheyenne Room, Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center, 920 Scott Lane
The Planning/NEPA Process and How it Pertains to Wildlife Conservation on Federal Lands
Tuesday, April 12, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructors: Don DeLong, Wildlife and Habitat Program Manager, West Zone – Bridger-Teton NF, Afton, WY; and Mark Foster, Environmental Coordinator, Shoshone National Forest, Cody, WY
Do your eyes glaze over at the mere mention of the NEPA process? The reality is, however, that the decision-making (planning and NEPA) process is (1) the playing field upon which land-management biologists do their jobs, and (2) the mechanism by which research results and state-biologist input get integrated into land management or not. For biologists that want to influence what happens on-the-ground on federal lands and for scientists that want to do research that is directly relevant to land-management decisions, having a good working understanding of the decision-making process is a must. Come join the conversation.
$30/person, Limited to 25 participants.
Location: Bridger Ballroom, Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center, 920 Scott Lane
Sharing Science: Messaging and Shared Values to Build Stakeholder Trust
Tuesday, April 12, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructor: Emily Reed, Associate Research Scientist, Wyoming Migration Initiative
Most of us are in wildlife professions because we want to support wildlife populations through science. As we know from personal experience, how we share science can make or break public meetings and collaborative projects. Effective scicomm can also have positive, long- term impacts on management and policies. And yet, mounting evidence shows that the default scicomm strategy — just share the facts — doesn’t work. Still, many wildlife professionals rely on just sharing facts because we don’t have time, face messaging constraints, or aren’t trained in evidence-based scicomm strategies.
During the workshop, you will work through three themes: (1) finding shared values, (2) wrangling jargon, and (3) fine-tuning your message. Using evidence-based tools and concepts, you’ll draft a plan to share science effectively while building trust and a sense of community amongst stakeholders.
$30/person, Limited to 25 participants
Location: Conference room, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Jackson Office, 420 North Cache Street
The Power of Positive Conflict
Tuesday, April 12, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Instructor: Tara Kuipers, Tara Kuipers Consulting, Cody WY
Conflict can spark necessary dialogue, increased understanding, and creative solutions. Yet when we sense the possibility of conflict – differing perspectives, heightened stakes, and aroused emotions – many of us do not express what we need to say, nor do we listen and respond appropriately to those around us.
This workshop will first help us understand ourselves and our typical responses to conflict situations. We will apply knowledge of our conflict behaviors to better understand the nature of conflict and the conflict-resolution cycle. Then, we will recognize the positive opportunity in conflict by generating ways to stay curious, making the ‘invisible’ visible, and fueling productive, meaningful engagement – even in the most challenging situations.
$30/person, Limited to 25 participants.
Location: Conference room, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Jackson Office, 420 North Cache Street
Lead-Free Ammunition Demo and Communication Tools
Tuesday, April 12, 2:00pm – 4:00 pm
Instructors: Hannah Leonard, Outreach Coordinator, Sporting Lead-Free, Wilson, WY; and Bryan Bedrosian, Director and Co-Founder, Sporting Lead-Free, Wilson, WY
Join Wyoming-based initiative, Sporting Lead-Free, for an afternoon at the shooting range to learn about different ammunition types and how they impact non-target wildlife. During this demonstration, participants can shoot both lead and copper rifle ammunition at water tanks and collect the fragments and discuss the findings. Participants will learn about how to talk with hunters about switching to lead-free ammunition and gain a better understanding of the performance difference. Hearing and eye protection will be provided. No need to shoot a firearm to participate, you will learn just as much from being an observer! This will take place outside, so please dress accordingly.
This workshop will take place at the Jackson Hole Gun Club and Shooting Range at 5570 South Highway 89, which is approximately a 10 minute drive from the Conference Center at the Lodge at Jackson Hole. You must arrange your own transportation.
$15/person, Limited to 20 participants.
Location: Jackson Hole Gun Club and Shooting Range, 5570 South U.S. Highway 89
Field Trip: Sage-Grouse Lek in Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, April 14, 5:15 am – 7:45 am
Join John Stephenson, wildlife biologist at Grand Teton National Park, and Bryan Bedrosian, biologist at Teton Raptor Center, for an early morning field trip to view a sage-grouse lek! You will visit the Moulton Lek on Antelope Flats in Grand Teton National Park, which typically hosts 20-50 strutting male sage grouse. This trip will depart the hotel at approximately 5:15 am and return by 7:45 am. There is also a strong possibility that you will see moose, elk, and bison during the trip. Please be prepared to walk approximately ¼ mile on flat terrain but through thick sagebrush to get to the observation point. The lek is approximately ½ mile away from the observation point, but good views can be had through a spotting scope. Several spotting scopes will be available to share, but please bring your own if you have one.
You must arrange your own transportation. You will not need a National Parks Pass to get to the lek.
$15/person, Limited to 15 participants.
