Loading…
Sunday, January 19
 

8:00am CST

Conference Registration Desk Open
Sunday January 19, 2025 8:00am - 6:00pm CST
TBA
Sunday January 19, 2025 8:00am - 6:00pm CST
TBA

9:00am CST

Benefits Declaration Workshop (Invitation Only)
Sunday January 19, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Co-Organizers:
Caleb O'Brien, Missouri Department of Conservation
Kiandra Rajala, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ben Beardmore, Wisconsin DNR
Lorisa Smith, Missouri Department of Conservation
Sarah Walker, Colorado State University
Tara Teel, Colorado State University
Mike Manfredo, Colorado State University

Overview:
The purpose of a Benefits Declaration is to identify the diversity of benefits that flow from people's engagement with wildlife and provide a tool to guide more inclusive and effective management for people, wildlife, and habitat. The Benefits Declaration approach stems from the America's Wildlife Values study which highlighted the need for agency adaptation to engage and develop programs and services that resonate with broader constituencies. The workshop was piloted in 2023 at the international Pathways in Human Dimensions conference.

This Benefits Declaration Workshop will be hosted by MAFWA Directors, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Conservation Social Science/Human Dimensions technical working committee and the Midwest Landscape Initiative. Attendees will be selected by agency directors and leadership within regional NGOs and academic partners. The workshop will provide a regional template that can be implemented within state and community contexts and will help orient future relevancy-focused inquiry across the Midwest region.

For Questions contact: Elizabeth “Ellie” Prentice, Terrestrial Habitat and Social Science Unit Supervisor
Office: (573) 815-7900 ext. 2929; Ellie.Prentice@mdc.mo.gov
Sunday January 19, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA

9:00am CST

Pre-Conference Workshops - TBD (pre-registration & additional fee required)
Sunday January 19, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Sunday January 19, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA

12:00pm CST

Speaker Ready Room Open
Sunday January 19, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Sunday January 19, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

1:00pm CST

Exhibitor Set-up
Sunday January 19, 2025 1:00pm - 6:00pm CST
TBA
Sunday January 19, 2025 1:00pm - 6:00pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Salmonid Technical Committee Winter Business Meeting
Sunday January 19, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Speakers
MS

Mike Siepker

Fisheries Supervisor, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sunday January 19, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm CST

4:00pm CST

Joint Winter Business Meeting of the Centrarchid, Esocid, and Walleye Technical Committees
Sunday January 19, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm CST
TBA
Moderators
JG

Jason Gostiaux

Fisheries Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Sunday January 19, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm CST
TBA

5:00pm CST

Student Icebreaker Meet & Greet
Sunday January 19, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm CST
TBA
Sunday January 19, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

Welcome Networking Social
Sunday January 19, 2025 6:00pm - 9:00pm CST
TBA
Sunday January 19, 2025 6:00pm - 9:00pm CST
TBA
 
Monday, January 20
 

7:00am CST

Continental Breakast with Exhibitors
Monday January 20, 2025 7:00am - 8:30am CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 7:00am - 8:30am CST
TBA

7:00am CST

Trade Show Open
Monday January 20, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA

7:00am CST

Speaker Ready Room Open
Monday January 20, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA

7:00am CST

Conference Registration Desk Open
Monday January 20, 2025 7:00am - 6:00pm CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 7:00am - 6:00pm CST
TBA

8:00am CST

Plenary Session 1
Monday January 20, 2025 8:00am - 10:05am CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 8:00am - 10:05am CST
TBA

10:05am CST

Coffee Break
Monday January 20, 2025 10:05am - 10:30am CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 10:05am - 10:30am CST
TBA

10:30am CST

Annual Membership Meeting – North Central Section of The Wildlife Society
Monday January 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CST
Moderators
avatar for Jeremy Holtz

Jeremy Holtz

Wildlife biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Monday January 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CST

10:30am CST

North Central Division AFS Business Meeting
Monday January 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CST
Speakers
DI

Daniel Isermann

Unit Leader, USGS-Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Monday January 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CST

12:00pm CST

Lunch On Your Own
Monday January 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm CST
TBA

12:00pm CST

Student & Professional Networking Luncheon (pre-registration required)
Monday January 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm CST
TBA

1:00pm CST

Lake and Reservoir Management Committee Meeting
Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Moderators
WR

Will Radigan

PhD Student, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Effects of Flow Variation on Recruitment in a Central Missouri Stream Fish Assemblage
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Connor S. Church, University of Missouri School of Natural Resources; Allison A. Pease, University of Missouri School of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: In the Central U.S., we are experiencing more frequent extreme high-flow events (floods) in many stream systems associated with climate change. Large swaths of the globe are expected to experience wetter conditions with more frequent, high-magnitude precipitation events in the future. Our objectives were to determine if the effects of extreme flows on fish recruitment are predictable based on life history traits, and to learn how extreme flows affect habitat characteristics and food availability for age-0 fishes. To provide these data, we sampled age-0 fishes by seining in Richland Creek and a side channel of the Lamine River in central Missouri 2023-2024. Each site was surveyed twice monthly from May-September. To characterize food resource availability and quality in relation to flows across the season, we sampled benthic macroinvertebrates using dip net sweeps, and we collected zooplankton using a plankton trap. In 2023, a year with an exceptionally dry spring followed by one summer flood, abundance of age-0 native fishes was low in the Lamine River side channel compared to Richland Creek, Western Mosquitofish, an opportunistic species, predominated in 2023. In 2024, two spring floods occurred, along with multiple rain events during the spring and early summer that allowed floodplain and side channel access to spawning fishes and age-0 individuals. Age-0 individuals of periodic species such as longnose gar, bigmouth buffalo, and skipjack herring were only detected in 2024. Aquatic invertebrate diversity and abundance were higher in 2023 than in 2024. Our research will help address how timing, frequency, and magnitude of flow events affect recruitment in stream fish assemblages.
Speakers
CC

Connor Church

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Identifying Walleye and Lake Whitefish Spawning Habitat to Inform Habitat Improvements for Lake Sturgeon in the Lower Fox River below De Pere Dam
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Braden Lensing, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Daniel Dembkowski, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Joshua Raabe, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Jason Breegemann, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Daniel Isermann, U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

ABSTRACT: Previous research indicates that lake sturgeon Acipenser fluvescens recruitment is limited in the Lower Fox River below De Pere Dam. Habitat enhancements in the form of an offshore reef have been proposed to potentially improve the recruitment of lake sturgeon. However, identifying spawning habitats for other species could help to ensure that restoration efforts for lake sturgeon do not result in loss of spawning habitat for other species. The Lower Fox River supports spawning runs of walleye Sander vitreus and lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis, both of which support important fisheries in southern Green Bay. Our objectives are to 1) describe spatial variation in walleye and lake whitefish egg densities in the LFR below De Pere Dam to inform placement of the lake sturgeon spawning reef; 2) determine if spatial variation in egg densities are related to a suite of environmental variables (e.g., flow, depth, and substrate), 3) determine if spatial distributions of eggs are similar for walleye and lake whitefish, and 4) describe the timing (e.g., start, peak, end, and duration) of walleye and lake whitefish spawning. Heat maps generated from relative egg densities illustrate the spatial distribution of walleye and lake whitefish egg densities and reveal significant overlap in egg deposition between the two species, as well as notable overlap with three of four proposed reef locations. The 2023 lake whitefish spawning period spanned 14 days, beginning on November 8 and concluding around November 21. In contrast, the 2024 walleye spawning season lasted 38 days, commencing on March 18 and ending about April 25.
Speakers
BL

Braden Lensing

Graduate Research Assistant, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: 'On The Road Again' Native Species Seeding By Midwestern DOTs and Potential Improvements
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Wesley Bollinger, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: As road development continues to fragment native landscapes and stifle wildlife movement, there has been increased attention towards maintaining and restoring ecosystem services and habitat connectivity around roadways. Increased use of native plants along roadways can reduce overall maintenance costs, bolster ecosystem services, and broaden migration corridors for numerous species, including birds and pollinators like the Monarch Butterfly.

State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) play a critical role in the balance between development and natural area conservation given their road creation efforts and maintenance of their sizeable land holdings. As most midwestern state DOTs employ native species in their roadside seeding specifications, I provide an overview of these seeding efforts, giving particular attention to states like Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois that include many diverse native seed mixes. I will also present preliminary results from surveys of Illinois and Indiana DOT native seed plots from the last 17 years. This presentation illustrates beneficial techniques for seeding in heavily disturbed, invaded landscapes and provides insight into which native species best establish and persist in these conditions.
Speakers
WB

Wesley Bollinger

Masters Candidate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Low population densities of Missouri brown tarantulas (Aphonopelma hentzi) in Missouri glades.
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Becky Hansis-O'Neill, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Aimee Dunlap, University of Missouri - St. Louis

ABSTRACT: Aphonopelma hentzi has not been a species of concern for arachnologists in North America. Researchers report high densities at their field sites in the states of Colorado (CO) and Texas (TX) with no major conservation concerns. Central Missouri (MO) represents the most northern and easterly range edge for A. hentzi where they are primarily found in native glade grasslands. We have conducted a population assessment on three such glades over the past two years and discovered very low population densities compared to other researcher sites around the USA. Glades in central MO may represent habitat islands within the edge of A. hentzi’s range. Additionally, MO glades have been degraded over time by changing fire regimes and disturbance by hobby herpetologists. Our research aims to assess these populations over time in terms of density, preferred habitat, genetic health, and effects of disturbance. These tarantulas may be at risk due to a confluence of factors such as range edge effects, illegal collecting, habitat fragmentation, or other unknowns like pesticide exposure or disease. These factors may be causing low population densities, creating an Allee effect where these subpopulations may not easily recover. Small predator biodiversity is likely important for bottom-up maintenance of native vegetation via control of grazing invertebrates like orthopterans. This paper presentation will cover our current work on this project and future directions.
Speakers
BH

Becky Hansis-O'Neill

PhD Candidate, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-01: Audubon’s bird conservation strategy on the Mississippi River
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Dale Gentry, Director of Conservation, Audubon Upper Mississippi River; Brent Newman, Program Director - Mississippi River Water Initiative, National Audubon Society

ABSTRACT: Riparian and floodplain forest habitats of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) are the backbone of the Mississippi Flyway which serves as a major aerial highway for 60% of North America's bird species. The incredibly diverse ecosystems associated with the Mississippi River have been altered by agriculture, the impoundment of the river in locks and dams, levees, pollution, and climate change, which have reduced the quantity and quality of habitat for migrant and breeding birds. Audubon’s Mississippi River Initiative is a focused effort engaging and working alongside private and public land managers to mitigate these factors that are negatively influencing habitat and water quality by encouraging and guiding bird-friendly habitat management strategies that retain and enhance forest and grasslands cover in the UMR flyway. Audubon’s Mississippi River Initiative emphasizes science, habitat restoration, and policy approaches. 1) We are implementing and supporting avian monitoring and research efforts along the river to fill critical science gaps and develop habitat restoration strategies that align with science-based management and adaptation plans. 2) We are partnering with federal, state, and private land managers and stakeholders to restore and enhance bottomland and upland forests. We are also enhancing water quality by expanding and improving the management of perennial grass pastures in the Mississippi River watershed through Audubon’s Conservation Ranching initiative. Finally, 3) we are pursuing policy solutions that will lead to a healthy and resilient environment for priority bird species and human communities. Audubon works from the halls of Congress and river management teams to local city councils to achieve policies and funding implementation in alignment with our watershed goals. Through these three action steps, Audubon is seeking a more resilient and ecologically vibrant future for the Mississippi River.
Speakers
DG

Dale Gentry

Director of Conservation, Audubon - Upper Mississippi River
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-02: Climbing the Ladder Towards Aquatic Connectivity for Stream Fishes in Eastern South Dakota
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Evan Spencer, GRA South Dakota State University, Dr. Christopher Cheek, Assistant Professor South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Stream channel fragmentation constrains the movement of stream fishes, thereby reducing access to critical habitats. Stream-road crossings are prevalent throughout the United States and have the potential to fragment aquatic ecosystems. Tube culverts, where streams pass under the road through metal pipes, are particularly concerning for stream connectivity. Undersized, aging, or inappropriately installed culverts can develop vertical drops at the outflow due to high velocities and stream bed scouring. This condition, known as perching, can function as a barrier preventing the upstream movement of fishes. Due to the prevalence of culverts in stream networks, novel solutions are needed that rapidly address fish passage at perched culverts. In this study, we assessed a low-cost Denil-type fish ladder designed to integrate with tube culverts and mitigate stream fragmentation caused by tube culverts. Specific objectives are to (1) quantify the impact road crossings have on the movement of small-bodied fishes, (2) demonstrate the long-term and short-term efficacy of experimental fish ladders in facilitating fish passage through tube culverts, (3) determine passage rates among different swimming guilds of stream fishes in Eastern South Dakota. For this, eight stream road crossings we selected in the Big Sioux, Vermillion, and Minnesota River watersheds. A before-after-control impact design was adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of fish ladders on the movement of fishes through tube culverts. In the summer of 2023-2024, over 6000 small-bodied stream fishes comprised of 22 species were captured and implanted with Biomark 8mm PIT (passive integrated transponder) tags. Capture-recapture data was collected using PIT telemetry. In the Spring-Summer 2024, experimental fish ladders were installed at perched tube culverts and fish passage was evaluated using capture-recapture methodologies to model multi-state detection, survival, and transition probability.
Speakers
ES

Evan Spencer

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University - Natural Resource Management
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-03: CWD: Strengthening Public Involvement: Iowa’s Multifaceted Approach to CWD Outreach and Management
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Catherine Cummings, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach & Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Adam Janke, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; Tyler Harms, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Jace Elliott, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Rachel Ruden, Iowa Department of Natural Resources & Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

ABSTRACT: As Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) continues to pose a significant threat to Iowa’s white–tailed deer populations, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach are committed to developing innovative outreach programs to enhance awareness and foster collaboration. With an increasing number of counties detecting CWD, our efforts focus on educating hunters, landowners, and the public on best practices for hunting and processing, while actively involving them in disease management. Key initiatives include 1) the Chronic Wasting Disease Ambassador Program, which empowers local stakeholders to serve as educators within their communities; 2) public meetings that facilitate direct communication between DNR staff, hunters, and landowners; 3) the integration of CWD education into youth and adult hunter education programs; 4) the development of county CWD resource guides tailored to each county; and 5) CWD incentive hunts in core disease hotspots to provide hunters with landowner access for additional deer harvest in the late season. Through these initiatives, the Iowa DNR and ISU Extension aim to not only share critical information, but also inspire proactive community participation in managing the spread of CWD. By fostering open dialogue and collaborative engagement, we seek to create a well-informed, adaptive, and responsive network of Iowans–hunters, landowners, and conservationists–equipped to tackle the challenges of CWD and contribute to the disease’s long-term management.

Speakers
CC

Catherine Cummings

Chronic Wasting Disease Outreach Specialist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-04: Historical Perspectives on Trout Management in Missouri
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mike Kruse, Missouri Fly Fishing Guide

ABSTRACT: Salmonid fishes are not native to Missouri or any portion of the Ozarks, likely due to the region’s southerly latitude, low elevation and resulting scarcity of cold streams. The first salmonids were introduced in Missouri in 1878 when Pacific salmon were released. In the decades that followed, a number of species of trout, salmon and grayling were indiscriminately stocked throughout the state. Most releases were into waters unsuitable for tout and only a few populations of rainbow trout were established in springs or spring-influenced areas that maintained cold water temperatures throughout the summer. By 1937, when the Missouri Department of Conservation was established, trout hatcheries had been built near a number of large springs. Trout stocking was restricted to springs or stream sections adjacent to spring inflows that were suitable for trout survival. Hatchery production, and resultant stocking, gradually increased and created a demand for trout fishing and trout harvest. In the 1970s, the first restrictive harvest regulations were established. Initially, these restrictions applied to populations containing mostly hatchery trout, but later, to populations of naturally-reproducing trout. In 2003, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved a comprehensive trout management plan that resulted in hatchery expansions, habitat assessments, a statewide trout angler survey and a review of management approaches. Today, about 300 miles of Missouri streams are considered suitable for “coldwater sport fishery” and about half are actively managed for trout fishing by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The fisheries vary from intensively stocked “put and take” areas, to streams managed exclusively for naturally-reproducing rainbow trout. An important trout fishery is also found in Lake Taneycomo, a “tailwater” below Table Rock Lake. Seasonal trout fisheries, mostly in small municipal impoundments, have increased in number in recent decades.
Speakers
MK

Mike Kruse

Head Guide, Missouri Fly Fishing Guide (missouriflyfishingguide.com)
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-05: Fishers & Farmers Partnership: Energizing Healthy Farms & Fish Habitats Through Neighbor Connections
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Ben Lubinski, Illinois Dept of Natural Resources - Fisheries; Heidi Keuler, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Jodi Whittier, University of Missouri - Columbia

ABSTRACT:  Locally led, neighbor to neighbor soil health and watershed groups are driving landscape scale change across the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Fishers & Farmers Partnership (FFP) funded their first farmer-led committee project in the Bourbeuse/Meramec Watershed in eastern Missouri in 2009-2010 and has awarded over 60 projects throughout the Upper Mississippi River Basin. FFP has learned and grown with landowner groups in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and has been a catalyst to drive innovative projects such as the Fishers & Farmers workshops for farmer-led groups. Each year FFP awards National Fish Habitat Partnership funds to engage landowners; improve farms and fish habitat; address root causes of watershed problems; and support communications, monitoring, and science that aligns with FFP's strategic plan. FFP works with local farmers and organizations in a bottom-up versus top-down approach to address specific agriculture-related problems more effectively. FFP communication efforts help farmers and organizations share knowledge and experiences, explore resources, and become energized and inspired by their neighbors.
Speakers
BL

Ben Lubinski

Fisheries, IL Dept of Natural Resources
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-06: Prairie Reconstruction: Prairie Fork CA Case Study and Lessons Learned
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Chris Newbold, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: The Missouri Department of Conservation conducted a 700 + acre prairie reconstruction project at Prairie Fork Conservation Area in east-central Missouri from 2004-2019. This long-term reconstruction project provided an opportunity to use a chronosequence approach to assess the success of two reconstruction methods in emulating local, reference remnant prairie plant communities. We compared broadcast dormant seeding following two types of site preparation, agricultural cropping (Crop) or herbicide control in existing grass assemblages (Grass), and remnant communities. The Crop site preparation method resulted in a rapid increase in richness shortly following seeding. Although more similar to remnant assemblages initially, the Grass method took longer for mean coefficient of conservatism and floristic quality index to approach conditions of the reference communities. However, neither method resulted in plant community compositions that converged with the reference through time. Further, indicator species analysis identified a diverse assemblage of species lacking from the reconstructed prairies. This information is important for land managers in the development of adaptive management strategies during active reconstruction. We also provide some ‘lessons learned’ over the course of the 15-year reconstruction project that could be useful to other prairie managers.
Speakers
Monday January 20, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Diet and Niche Overlap of Blue Catfish and Resident Reservoir Sportfishes to Inform Stocking Decisions
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jacob L Bentley, The Ohio State University; Stuart A Ludsin, The Ohio State University

ABSTRACT: The intentional introduction of nonnative predators to generate novel fisheries, while common, has the potential to threaten existing fisheries through numerous mechanisms such as competition and predation. Similarly, stocking success could be hampered by these same mechanisms, highlighting the need to understand habitat use and niche overlap among biota. In Ohio reservoirs, Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) has been stocked since 2010 to create novel trophy fisheries. However, the potential exists that the success of Blue Catfish will either threaten the success of existing fisheries or threaten the success of the stocking program if niche overlap among species is high. To assess niche overlap and the potential for competition among stocked Blue Catfish, native predators (e.g., Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides), and stocked saugeye (Sander canadensis x S. vitreus), we analyzed the diets and stable isotope ratios (nitrogen, carbon, and sulphur) of muscle tissue from fish collected during spring, summer, and fall of 2021-2023 in two Ohio reservoirs: one stocked with Blue Catfish (Hoover Reservoir) and one not stocked with Blue Catfish (Alum Creek Lake). We hypothesized that niche overlap would be highest between catfish species, with Largemouth Bass and saugeye also overlapping. Our hypothesis was only partially supported. Results show niche partitioning between Blue Catfish and all other species. Blue Catfish consumed more and larger fish prey (e.g., large-bodied Gizzard Shad) relative to all other species, with Channel Catfish feeding mostly on aquatic insect larvae (e.g., chironomids). By contrast, Largemouth Bass and saugeye primarily fed on smaller-bodied Gizzard Shad than Blue Catfish, with their diets being similar as expected. In addition to quantifying niche envelopes for these species, we discuss how our findings, and stable isotopes in general, can be used to help inform stocking decision-making in reservoir ecosystems.
Speakers
JB

Jacob Bentley

Master's Student, The Ohio State University
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Identifying Spawning Sites and Fidelity of Ogaa (walleye Sander Vitreus): Implications for Fishery Stewardship
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kayla Lenz, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Aaron Shultz, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Adam Ray, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Carl Klimah, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

ABSTRACT: Mille Lacs Lake located in the 1837 Ceded Territory in central Minnesota offers a unique site for assessing the movement of fish throughout a large temperate lake. The relative shallowness of the lake and resultant lack of a thermocline allows ogaawag (walleye Sander vitreus) to forage throughout the lake, thus maximizing their range. Ogaawag , have been impacted by the many changes happening in this system over the past several decades, resulting in a variable but overall decreasing population between 1980 and 2016, when the population seems to have plateaued. This decrease has largely been attributed to a decrease in annual recruitment from hatching to age-2, but the root cause of that recruitment problem is yet unclear. In other large lake systems, ogaawag frequently display spawning site fidelity, making them especially reliant on a relatively small spawning area. Disturbances and changes in these areas may decrease overall reproduction and decrease fry survival. Identifying and protecting these critical sites may maintain annual recruitment of Mille Lacs ogaawag. The purpose of this study was to identify ogaawag spawning sites across years, characterize habitat type, and quantify spawning site fidelity of adult ogaawag in Mille Lacs Lake. Here we examine the movements of 70 tagged adult ogaawag during the spawning periods of 2019, 2020, and 2021 to determine the proportion of ogaawag that display spawning site fidelity and which areas of the lake were “hotspots” for spawning. Using an acoustic telemetry array, we examine the relationships between sex, length, detection depth, average residence time at each receiver, and spawning site fidelity to establish patterns of behavior among ogaawag. We found that ogaawag in Mille Lacs display spawning site fidelity at high rates (96%) and identified areas with rocky and/or hard substrate, lots of wind/wave action, and that are near undeveloped shoreline to be hotspots of ogaawag activity during the spawning season. We also observed what is likely an occurrence of skipped spawning in a female ogaa. Findings from this study should be used to create new stewardship plans to protect in-lake, shoreline, and upland habitats near spawning aggregation sites in Mille Lacs Lake. These approaches may be applicable to other large lake ecosystems.
Speakers
KL

Kayla Lenz

Fisheries Research LTE, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Wildlife Track: Effects of Landscape Characteristics on Occurrence and Density of Native Bumblebee Species. Fort Riley. Kansas
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Cassidy Lathrom, Kansas State University; Dave Haukos, United States Geological Survey; Caroline Skidmore, Kansas State University; Brian Monser, Fort Riley Environmental Division; Derek Moon, Fort Riley Environmental Division

ABSTRACT: We assessed the influence of management actions on the occurrence and density of native bumblebee populations in the Great Plains region. Occurrence, density, and distribution of native bumblebees (Bombus spp.) were assessed relative to landscape characteristics and environmental conditions (e.g., fire, haying, mechanical and herbicide control of invading trees and herbaceous plants) on Fort Riley, Kansas. Multi-scale assessments were used to estimate distribution and density of species-specific Bombus at landscape and unit scales across accessible areas of the study area. Unit scales were categorized by dominant cover type (e.g., natural prairie, go-back land, woodland, cultivated/crop land, water, burned, and hayed). Distance sampling was used to estimate distribution and density of species-specific Bombus at landscape scales across accessible areas of the study area. Site locations within predetermined unit scales were selected using randomized surveys resulting in 151, 500-m transects. We conducted sampling during early summer (May and June) and late summer (July and August). Location of all bumblebees observed along the transect were recorded using a Trimble GPS unit. Package Distance in Program R was used to estimate density of Bombus spp. across Fort Riley, within certain cover types, and by management action. Data were comprised of six species including American (B. pensylvanicus), Southern Plains (B. fraternus), Black and Gold (B. auricomus), Common Eastern (B. impatiens), Brown-Belted (B. griseocollis), and Two Spotted (B. bimaculatus). We estimated 1.30 Bombus/ha (CV = 0.184) and 1.40 Bombus/ha (CV = 0.122) during 2022 and 2023, respectively. These data are the first known estimates of Bombus density in tallgrass prairie and serve as a baseline for future assessments.
Speakers
CL

Cassidy Lathrom

Graduate Research Assistant, Kansas State University
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Wildlife Track: Mastering the Flames: An overview of prescribed burning training for students and early career professionals
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Craig Maier, Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium; Carol Baldwin, Great Plains Fire Science Exchange

ABSTRACT: Prescribed burning is critical to managing many wildlife habitats in North America, and the need for trained individuals is growing due to greater investment in wildfire risk mitigation and prescribed fire. Often students and early career professionals would like to add prescribed burning to their skill set, but are unaware of the training opportunities available or which would be most suitable for their career path. Prescribed burn training can occur through academic classes, online and in-person training for federal certification, state Extension trainings with and without certification, prescribed burning cooperatives and associations, and other opportunities. An overview of training requirements and types of trainings available can help wildlife managers meet personal and career goals. Examples of incorporating training into institutional settings will provide models for those looking to begin offering trainings at the college level.
Speakers
avatar for Craig Maier

Craig Maier

Coordinator, Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium
I work across the Upper Midwest to strengthen connections between researchers and land managers. Grad students and PIs - we have a working list of research needs, literature review needs, and fire ecology methods. Land managers - we have a library of short summaries of research (emphasizing... Read More →
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-01: Bottomland Forest Birds along the Upper Mississippi River
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tara Hohman, Audubon Upper Mississippi River; Dale Gentry, Audubon Upper Mississippi River; Nicole Michels, National Audubon Society

ABSTRACT: Floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) provide critical habitat for a diverse avian community. Yet dozens of bird species that use these forests are listed as priority species and/or Species of Greatest Conservation Need by state and national agencies. These same agencies outline the desire to further define best management practices to conserve floodplain forest birds through their full annual cycle. Our 10 years of research on bottomland forest bird species along the UMR has resulted in the initial development of priority areas for birds within this landscape, as well as habitat associations between birds and the habitat characteristics they select for. This presentation discusses these findings and reviews the different and similar needs of focal species and species diversity in different stretches of this region. Towards the end of this presentation, we will also discuss the next steps to this work and goals for the future.
Speakers
TH

Tara Hohman

Conservation Science Manager, Audubon Upper Mississippi River
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-02: Fish Freeways: How Rock Ramps are Assisting Prairie Stream Fish Movement
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: *Seth Callahan, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211, bscnh9@missouri.edu
*Presenting author

Jacob Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, westhoffj@missouri.edu

Brett Perkins, The Nature Conservancy, Dunn Ranch Prairie, 16970 W 150th St, Hatfield, MO 64458, brett.perkins@tnc.org


ABSTRACT: Human-made structures such as box culverts and similar road crossings can cause habitat fragmentation within stream networks and require remediation for effective aquatic organism passage. There is increasing interest in restoring habitat connectivity and aquatic organism passage for conservation purposes, along with assessing project effectiveness. Two, low- gradient rock ramps were installed in the forks of Little Creek in Harrison County, Missouri in 2022 to protect existing infrastructure and restore natural aquatic organism passage to over eight kilometers of headwater stream. These first order prairie streams had been eroded by head cutting to the base of each of the box culverts resulting in greater than one meter of drop on the downstream side of each culvert. Installation of the rock ramps at a natural grade sought to restore stream connectivity and allow for aquatic organism passage. We tagged multiple fish species downstream of each rock ramp using passive integrated responder (PIT) and visual implanted elastomer (VIE) tags in the spring of 2024 and used submersible PIT antennas and seining to detect fish movement. We determined that both rock ramps have allowed for fish passage of multiple fish species, including an experimental population of Topeka Shiners. We detected 14.5% of all PIT tagged fish successfully using the rock ramps to move upstream in the first two months of data collection. Three VIE tagged fish were recaptured upstream of the box culverts with seine nets. Our preliminary results highlight effective methods for monitoring aquatic organism passage in prairie streams and the ecological benefits of restored stream connectivity in fragmented habitats.
Speakers
SC

Seth Callahan

PhD Research Assistant, University of Missouri
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-03: CWD: Identifying the Motivations and Barriers of Landowners to Participating in Targeted Removal to Manage Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Missouri
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jason Isabelle, Missouri Department of Conservation; Jasmine Batten, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Phil Seng, DJ Case & Associates; Matt Harlow, DJ Case & Associates; Rachel Menale, DJ Case & Associates


ABSTRACT: Since first detecting chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the free-ranging white-tailed deer population in 2012, the Missouri Department of Conservation has implemented targeted removal to slow disease spread. Targeted removal is one of few interventions with evidence of efficacy yet is often met with resistance and lack of stakeholder support. As such, identifying the motivations and barriers of landowners to participating in targeted removal is key to addressing participation deficiencies and fostering landowner engagement in CWD management. We conducted 12 focus group meetings in Missouri during 2022 with landowners who owned property near where CWD has been detected. Motivations for participating in targeted removal included a sense of civic responsibility to people and/or the deer population, additional hunting opportunity, food, convenience of the removal program, and positive feelings about contributing to CWD management. Barriers or deterrents to participation included misunderstanding about CWD and the objectives of targeted removal, perception of low deer density, reluctance to relinquish what landowners felt was management control of their land during targeted removal, distain for targeted removal methods (e.g., night shooting, baiting), and objections about when targeted removal occurred (i.e., winter, after deer season). Landowner participation in targeted removal could likely be increased by communicating more effectively about CWD and the objectives of targeted removal to combat misinformation, providing additional opportunity during the regular deer season enabling hunters to play a more active role in disease management at that time of year, considering changes to targeted removal methodology (e.g., not field dressing deer on site), and working to align targeted removal goals with landowner deer management goals when possible.
Speakers
JI

Jason Isabelle

Cervid Program Supervisor, Missouri Department of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-04: Trout Streams of the Northern Ozarks: Overview of Missouri's Ribbon Areas
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Blake Stephens, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: The cool springs of the Missouri Ozarks support dozens of riverine trout fisheries across the southern half of the state. These introduced fisheries provide year-round angling opportunity unique from the trout parks that produce these fish. Missouri’s trout management areas consist of three categories, the blue, red and white ribbon areas, each with a different management approach, stocking regime (if any) and regulations. This presentation references the twenty management areas that encapsulate Missouri’s ribbon system and the history of river trout management since the state’s first trout plan adoption in 2003. Management challenges and successes associated with these stream segments will be discussed as well including some examples of specific projects and programs that have moved Missouri’s riverine trout program from surviving to thriving.
Speakers
BS

Blake Stephens

Fisheries Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-05: Partnering with Private Landowners on Forest Management for Water Quality
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jen Wahls, Landscape Connections LLC, Minnesota Forest Resources Council Southeast Landscape Committee and Winona La Crescent Local Forestry Team

ABSTRACT: The landscape of Southeastern Minnesota is a mosaic of steep woodlands, cropland, pasture, and coldwater streams. Ninety-five percent of land is in private ownership. Private landowners are integral to conservation work; however, they are often left out of planning efforts. The Southeast Landscape Plan and the Winona La Crecent Comprehensive Watershed Plan guide conservation work in this geography. The Local Forestry Team (LFT), a pilot for MN launched on in early 2024, is made up of professionals representing MN Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, consulting foresters, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Board of Water & Soil Resources, industry, private landowners and non-governmental organizations who work locally and collaboratively. The LFT plans, coordinates, and implements forestry conservation work with private landowners, building on previous efforts by many partners. By coordinating programs and resources with many partners and through building relationships at the community level, the Local Forestry Team effectively and efficiently serves private landowners interested in conservation and forestry work. The LFT launched the ReInvest in Minnesota Blufflands program, a pilot that was developed overtime by local professionals with input from private landowners. The conservation easement program reflects landowner interest and fits the geography we work in. This presentation will detail each component of this critical work that benefits a wide range of resources including water quality, important upland and in-stream habitat.
Speakers
JW

Jennifer Wahls

Winona La Crescent Local Forestry Team Coordinator, Landscape Connections LLC (private sector)
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-06: Woodland Management for Biodiversity at Shaw Nature Reserve
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT: Shaw Nature Reserve has been tinkering with landscape-scale woodland management for biodiversity since the 1980s, using local manager-based institutional knowledge as well as site-specific scientific studies to back up their methods. We present insights and findings from management of woodlands and savannas, with a focus on the combination of 1) invasive species control, 2) prescribed fire, and 3) native herbaceous species re-introductions using locally-sourced seed.
Speakers
CM

Calvin Maginel

Ecological Resource Scientist, Shaw Nature Reserve
Monday January 20, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Evaluating the influence of climate change on walleye and largemouth bass consumption rates in a northern Wisconsin lake
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jeston Hassler, South Dakota State University; Maxwel Wilkinson, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Quinnlan Smith, University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology; Joseph Mrnak, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Escanaba Lake Research Station/University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology

ABSTRACT: In recent decades, some lakes in the Ceded Territory of Wisconsin (approximate northern third of the state) have experienced increasing largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides abundance coupled with declining walleye Sander vitreus abundance. These shifts in abundance have become of management concern, as largemouth bass have been hypothesized to negatively influence walleye populations through potential competitive or predatory interactions. Yet, a mechanistic understanding of these ecological interactions remains relatively unknown. As climate change continues to alter thermal habitat in northern Wisconsin lakes, understanding how warming water temperatures may influence largemouth bass and walleye interactions, specifically their consumption rates of prey items, could assist in the future management of the two species. Thus, our objectives in this study were to 1) calculate diet overlap and consumption rates of common prey items for largemouth bass and walleye in a northern Wisconsin lake and 2) simulate consumption rates of largemouth bass and walleye in predicted climate change scenarios. Our study site, Little John Lake located in Vilas Co., Wisconsin, contains a naturally recruiting walleye population and fish assemblage similar to many other northern Wisconsin lakes. We intensively sampled diets of largemouth bass and walleye in Little John Lake from May-October in 2024 and took a bioenergetics approach to estimate and simulate consumption rates of these species under climate-change scenarios. Increased rates of consumption were apparent for both species, notably of yellow perch Perca flavescens and Lepomis spp., yet walleye consumption rates slowed when water temperature began reaching their thermal tolerance. Understanding how largemouth bass and walleye consumption rates may differ under climate-change scenarios may give valuable insight into future interactions between these species in northern Wisconsin lakes.
Speakers
JH

Jeston Hassler

Undergraduate Student, South Dakota State University
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Zooplankton in the Upper Mississippi River System
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Molly Sobotka;
Jessica Fulgoni;
Ashley Johnson;
Alex Bell


ABSTRACT: Zooplankton link microbial primary producers to larger consumers (primarily fish) in aquatic food webs. Despite their importance, assessment of zooplankton populations in large rivers is rare, especially across large spatial scales and during the winter. We collected zooplankton alongside summer, fall, and winter water quality sampling events in the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program’s Long Term Resource Monitoring element key reaches during 2019 and 2020. We used generalized additive models to assess the relationships between measures of zooplankton abundance and local and site level habitat variables. Zooplankton abundance was strongly tied to measures of productivity (chlorophyll) and water clarity (suspended solids), but the strength and shape of these relationships was not the same between seasons. Abundance of crustacean zooplankton was greatest during the winter however we did not find a significant relationship between abundance and chlorophyll during that season. Crustacean density and biomass were negatively associated with the presence of invasive carps and positively associated with abundant aquatic plants.
Speakers
MS

Molly Sobotka

Resource Staff Scientist, Missouri Dept of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: PHASE: Pollinator Habitat Aligned with Solar Energy
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Alison Little, University of Illinois Chicago

ABSTRACT: The solar industry is responding to demand for a clean energy future. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) forecasts that the solar industry is expected to nearly triple cumulative solar deployment by 2028. At the same time, insect pollinators are in decline throughout North America. Species and habitat losses are resulting in listing consideration and petitions for once-common species like monarch butterflies and several bumble bee species. Co-located pollinator vegetation at solar facilities is recognized as an opportunity to support habitat needed by declining insect populations.

How can large-scale projects incorporate pollinator plantings at solar facilities? What ecological and performance benefits can be realized from pollinator plantings? How do developers and owners weigh the costs and challenges of maintaining pollinator vegetation and determine the effects it has on power generation, community acceptance, and operations? The Pollinator Habitat Aligned with Solar Energy (PHASE) project is a four-year research project that aims to answer these questions and better support the solar industry in successfully implementing co-located plantings. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office.

In collaboration with industry and technical professionals, the PHASE team has developed methodology to evaluate the impacts of plantings on both biodiversity and facility operations. This includes the diversity of plant and insect communities, pollinator services being provided by the site, and the effects of pollinator vegetation on panel temperature and efficiency. The PHASE team has used this data to develop a newly finalized toolset designed to support solar industry decision-making on pollinator vegetation. The four tools include a Pollinator Planting Implementation Manual, a Cost Comparison Tool, a Seed Selection Tool, and Habitat Assessment Module Guidance.

In this presentation, attendees will learn about brief research updates on solar pollinator plantings, learn where to access the PHASE toolset, and the tool applications.
Speakers
AL

Alison Little

Partner Coordinator - Conservation Agreements, University of Illinois Chicago, Energy Resources Center
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: The relationship between butterfly diversity and canopy cover management across 25 years in Midwestern oak savannas
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Joseph B. Deas, U.S. Geological Survey, Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station;
Desi Robertson-Thompson, U.S. Geological Survey, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center;
Ralph Grundel, U.S. Geological Survey, Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station

ABSTRACT:  Oak savannas are among the most imperiled habitats worldwide, characterized by their unique structure and biodiversity. These ecosystems have experienced significant decline due to habitat conversion and altered disturbance regimes. To understand the impact of these changes on butterfly diversity, we conducted extensive surveys in 1998/1999 and 2023 across 17-25 sites in Midwestern oak savannas, representing a gradient of canopy cover. Our study aimed to assess butterfly abundance and species composition, alongside additional environmental variables that might influence the relationship between butterfly diversity and canopy cover. We collected data on various environmental factors, including flower abundance, composition, and fire frequency, to determine their predictive value for butterfly presence/absence and to identify key environmental predictors. By comparing data from different time periods, we evaluated how the relationship between butterfly diversity and canopy cover has changed and whether these patterns were influenced by temporal or spatial changes in environmental conditions. Preliminary analyses suggest that the relationship between canopy cover and species richness is influenced by the frequency of historic fires, plant diversity, and local climate. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple environmental factors when assessing biodiversity in oak savannas and highlight the need for ongoing conservation efforts to preserve these critical habitats.
Speakers
JD

Joseph Deas

Biologist, USGS
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-01: Breeding bird community in the Mississippi River floodplain forest: Two Decades of change
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Wellik, US Geological Survey; Eileen Kirsch, US Geological Survey; Ryan Burner, US Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Forested floodplains along the upper Mississippi River are important for breeding birds but are shaped by human use of the surrounding lands and especially by the construction of the lock and dam system in the 1940’s to control water levels. These forests are continuing to change because of higher water levels, maturing forests, and invasive species. We looked at potential changes in the avian community in forests by comparing bird species richness and species’ relative abundance and frequency of occurrence between data collected from 1994-1997 and 2015-2019. Point counts were conducted in three stretches of river at sites where there has been no direct forest management since the 1940’s. The same sites were sampled in several years during both time periods, using point counts with the same spatial scale and duration. The sites in the 1990’s were sampled once per year by a single observer, whereas in the 2010’s they were sampled multiple times by multiple observers each year. To account for this difference in yearly sampling effort we bootstrapped the 2010’s data, creating a distribution to compare to the yearly one-survey one-observer method used in the 1990’s. In this timeframe there was a slight decline in species richness for each of the three river stretches. Across all three stretches some species have declined in frequency of occurrence, such as the American Redstart, whereas others increased, like the Prothonotary Warbler. Examining bird community trends over decades, even with slightly different sampling methods, may benefit avian and habitat management.
Speakers
MW

Mike Wellik

Biologist, USGS
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-02: Beyond barriers: Fish communities in a recovering tributary of Lake Erie
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Matthew R. Acre, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center; James J. Roberts, U.S. Geological Survey, Lake Erie Biological Station; Dustin W. Broaddus, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center; Ryan J. Trimbath, U.S. National Parks Service, Cuyahoga Valley National Park; Curt P. Wagner, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Ramsey A. S. Langford, Summit Metro Parks; Eric Waits, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development; Daniel J. Sullivan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development; Marc A. Mills, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development; Nick Barkowski, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; David M. Walters, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center

ABSTRACT: Fragmented aquatic systems are ubiquitous across the globe. Dams and other water control structures represent significant barriers to fish passage. In many countries, these structures represent ageing infrastructure which no longer serve their original function prompting an accelerated dam removal period. In the U.S., nearly 1200 dams have been removed in the last two decades. Dam removals serve multiple functions such as securing public safety by removing failing infrastructure, defragmenting riverscapes, and restoring the natural aesthetics of the river. Additionally, removals offer an opportunity to inform conservation science and community recovery in reconnected systems. The Cuyahoga River, infamous for catching fire and one of the driving forces that established the Environmental Protection Agency, has undergone several dam removals since 2006. One of the last remaining dams, constructed in 1913, is slated to be fully removed by 2026. To empirically assess fish community response to current and future restoration efforts we established 12 sites on the Cuyahoga River. We electrofished each site four times annually from 2022 to 2024 following methods of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). OEPA data was consistently collected on a 5- to 7-year cycle throughout the river and enabled us to directly compare historical assemblages (1987-2017) to more contemporary periods (2022-present). At the time of writing, we have collected over 20,000 fish and representing 60 species. We used ordination analyses, Bray-Curtis distances, and trajectory analyses to link disturbance events with community changes. The best predictor of community changes were dam removals followed by environmental variables such as river discharge. Other community metrics (diversity and richness) and trajectory analysis suggests communities downstream of the Gorge Dam, and with direct access to Lake Erie, are in a dynamic state. These baseline community data are critical to evaluate effectiveness of small and large restoration projects such as dam removals.
Speakers
MA

Matthew Acre

Research Fisheries Biologist, USGS
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-03: CWD: Exploring Landowners’ Support for CWD Management in Illinois
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Eric M. Walberg, Illinois Natural History Survey; Brent D. Williams, Illinois Natural History Survey; Lauren J. Stephens, Illinois Natural History Survey; Craig A. Miller, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible neurological disease that is fatal to deer species and has significant environmental, cultural, and economic impacts. Numerous studies have examined support for CWD management among hunters and public, though few have examined landowners’ perspective on CWD management. Understanding Illinois landowners’ beliefs about CWD is important as 97% of land in Illinois is privately owned and landowners’ participation is necessary for CWD management to be effective. We examined the impact of hunting participation on landowners’ beliefs about CWD management, perceived risk from CWD, and trust in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to manage CWD. During 2024, a mail-based questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 5,000 landowners who own a contiguous property of 50 or more acres in Illinois. We received 1,524 questionnaires for a 32% response rate. Most landowners (59%) were not deer hunters, and most respondents (89%) earned an income from the private property that they own. Most (79%) landowners thought there was slight or no risk of becoming ill from CWD, though hunters perceived a significantly higher risk from CWD than non-hunters (t = -3.03, p = 0.002). Landowners were most concerned with the impact of CWD on the health of the deer population in Illinois and CWD spreading throughout the entire deer herd in Illinois, though non-hunters were significantly less concerned about the impacts of CWD than hunters. Landowners trusted the IDNR to manage CWD in Illinois and there was no significant difference between hunters and non-hunters. Landowners believed that the IDNR’s management actions have been somewhat effective, and there was no significant difference in beliefs between hunters and non-hunters except regarding use of sharpshooting to supplement hunting (t = 2.00, p = .046). Our research suggests hunting participation impacts landowners’ beliefs about the impacts of CWD and support for some management actions in Illinois.
Speakers
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-04: The Meramec River Brown Trout Dilemma - a Case Study of a Missouri Ozark Stream's Salmonid Management
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jen Girondo, MO Dept of Conservation

ABSTRACT: The Meramec River in eastern Missouri is a north-flowing Ozark stream that has a section that is heavily influenced by ground-water contributions from a major spring, which provides limited salmonid habitat. In the riverine section which is fed by both spring branch and Ozark stream discharges, Brown Trout were introduced, a put-grow-and-take fishery was established, and has been enjoyed by anglers since the 1980s. Brown trout annual survival post-stocking has declined in recent years and several management strategies have been adjusted trying to regain some of the fisheries' previous success. Efforts have included adjusting rearing and stocking strategies, movement and mortality investigations, and ongoing water temperature evaluations. The issues facing this fishery are many, and climate change appears to be threatening its limit habitat. This presentation will provide an overview of past research efforts, results, and future management direction for this unique type of salmonid habitat.


Speakers
JG

Jen Girondo

Fisheries Management Biologist, DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-05: The Power of Partnerships in Advancing Coldwater Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Siepker, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: In northeast Iowa, there are numerous opportunities for aquatic conservation, particularly with over 500 miles of streams that provide habitat for coldwater aquatic communities. Many of these streams are located on private property and could greatly benefit from improvements to riparian and instream habitats. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) collaborates with landowners, conservation groups, and other government agencies to enhance public fishing access to coldwater streams through voluntary agreements or easement acquisitions. Additionally, efforts are made to protect and enhance water quality and stream habitat by establishing conservation easements along streams, reshaping streambanks to reduce pollutants entering the streams, and installing instream habitat for fishes. Each opportunity necessitates a unique approach to secure funding, develop the work plan, and successfully execute the project. Since 2019, the Iowa DNR has effectively partnered with various stakeholders and invested about $4 million into Iowa coldwater conservation efforts.
Speakers
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-06:Monitoring the Ecological Response to Restoration Treatments in the Missouri Pine-Oak Woodlands Restoration Project of the Mark Twain National Forest
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Elizabeth Yohe, U.S. Forest Service - Eastern Region; Kyle Steele, U.S. Forest Service - Mark Twain National Forest; Mike Leahy, Missouri Department of Conservation; Brian Davidson, U.S. Forest Service - Mark Twain National Forest; Rebecca Landewe, U.S. Forest Service - Mark Twain National Forest; Jason Stevens, U.S. Forest Service - Eastern Region; Greg Nowacki, U.S. Forest Service - Eastern Region

ABSTRACT: The Missouri Pine-Oak Woodlands Restoration Project (MOPWR) on the Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) is one of 17 currently funded projects across the country supported by the U.S. Forest Service Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project (CFLRP). The project aims to restore mixed shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata)-oak (Quercus spp.) woodlands that have historically dominated this landscape. Alongside other methods, the Community Health Index (CHI) assessment was utilized to monitor restoration progress and results in this landscape. Our monitoring data suggests that we are moving selected restoration units toward more ecological functionality. However, uncertainty remains as to whether or not reference conditions are attainable, given modern-day concerns and obstacles.
Speakers
EY

Elizabeth Yohe

Ecologist, US Forest Service
Monday January 20, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: First occurrence of American Brook Lamprey (Lethenteron appendix) in the Cuyahoga River, OH
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Zane McAdams, U.S. Geological Survey; Dustin Broaddus, U.S. Geological Survey; Ryan Trimbath, U.S. National Parks Service; Eric Waits, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Marc Mills, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Alexander V. Catalano, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Matthew R. Acre, U.S. Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: The Cuyahoga River watershed was designated as an Area of Concern by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1987. Of the original nine Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs), five remain, three of which address water quality, fish population status, and habitat availability. The American Brook Lamprey (Lethenteron appendix; ABL), is a non-parasitic, cold-water species sensitive to habitat degradation and considered an indicator species– presence reflects good habitat quality while absence suggests poor habitat quality. Though widely distributed, population status assessed at the HUC-8 watershed scale are highly variable depending on local conditions. Since 1984, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) has consistently monitored the Cuyahoga River as part of their standardized sampling to document all fish biodiversity in the river. The first ABL occurrence in the watershed was recorded in 2000 in Salt Run, a cold-water tributary located at river kilometer (rkm) 49 within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Since then, sporadic occurrences have been documented in Salt Run and Dickerson Run, both cold-water tributaries. In 2023, we recorded the first ABL ammocoete, confirmed through genetic analysis, in the mainstem Cuyahoga River near the confluence with a cold-water tributary at rkm 43. We developed a standardized backpack electrofishing sampling protocol in 2024 to explore potential habitat in the mainstem that may be suitable for the species near cold-water tributaries, including the two known ABL tributaries. We discovered the species at one new location, Columbia Run (rkm 41.2), not represented in historical samples. Two specimens were collected at various metamorphic stages suggesting that recruitment has been occurring near Columbia Run. These findings suggest expansive restoration efforts such as, but not limited to, dam removals appear to be resulting in range expansion of ABL, including into the mainstem of the Cuyahoga River.
Speakers
ZM

Zane McAdams

Biological Science Technician, United States Geological Survey
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Movement of Walleye and Sauger assessed using acoustic telemetry in Lewis and Clark Lake, a Missouri River reservoir.
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: William J. Radigan, University of Nebraska; Dr. Mark Pegg, University of Nebraska; Christopher Longhenry, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, Dr. Cameron Goble, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas; Dr. Kevin Pope, United States Geological Survey—Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

ABSTRACT: Walleye Sander vitreus and Sauger Sander canadensis are both socioeconomically important sportfish species in Lewis and Clark Lake, an interjurisdictionally managed mainstem Missouri River reservoir fishery. Adult Walleye (n=136) and adult Sauger (n=82) movement patterns were assessed from March 2021 to September 2024 among four management zones corresponding roughly to quarters of Lewis and Clark Lake using acoustic telemetry. We used a multistate live-dead model approach to assess survival, detection, and movement probabilities. Walleye survival probabilities (mean 85%) varied over time. Detection (mean 81%) and movement (mean 14%) probabilities varied by zone. Sauger detection probabilities varied by zone (mean 58%), and transition probabilities varied by sex, with female Sauger more likely (mean 14%) to transition among zones than male Sauger (mean 6%). Approximately 34-44% of all Walleye and Sauger were site residents, moving less than 10 km from their tagging location over the study duration. Non-site resident male and female Sauger utilized 44-47 km of the reservoir. Female Walleye utilized more of the reservoir (58 km) than male Walleye (45 km). Walleye tagged near Fort Randall Dam utilized more of the reservoir (69-72 km) than Walleye tagged elsewhere (47 km). Exploitation estimates were derived from angler-reported tags and entrainment estimates were based on detections recorded on receivers placed downstream of Gavins Point Dam. Annual exploitation (0-19%) and entrainment (0-5%) are considerable sources of loss for adult Walleye and adult Sauger in Lewis and Clark Lake. Examination of Walleye and Sauger movement patterns and sources of loss enables fisheries managers to focus management on areas identified to be important for spawning and validates the appropriateness of maintaining current harvest regulations.
Speakers
WR

William Radigan

PhD Candidate, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Monitoring tarantulas in Missouri glades: Conservation of a charismatic arachnid.
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Becky Hansis-O'Neill, University of Missouri - St. Louis; Aimee Sue Dunlap, University of Missouri - St. Louis

ABSTRACT: The tarantula, Aphonopelma hentzi has not been a species of concern for arachnologists in North America. In Missouri, A. hentzi tend to inhabit glade habitats. Glades have been affected by changing fire regimes resulting in the proliferation of red cedar in some areas. Red cedar contributes to habitat degradation, making glades less favorable for glade specialist species. Small predators like lizards, and possibly arachnids, can reduce damage to native plants by controlling herbivorous insect populations. The effects of tarantulas on ecosystems they inhabit has not been well studied but they may be important for controlling herbivorous insects. Therefore, tarantulas may be important for maintaining glade habitats in addition to their intrinsic and cultural value. In three central Missouri glades, we have found A. hentzi populations that appear to be much smaller than we expected given population densities in other parts of North America. Partnering with the Missouri Department of Conservation, we have monitored these populations for the past three summers and will be adding new sites in the coming field season to understand if small populations are a widespread phenomenon in Missouri glades. We believe these tarantula populations are likely at risk from habitat fragmentation and degradation, edge of range effects, and illegal collecting. In addition to population monitoring, we have been working on monitoring habitat disturbance, natural history, population genetics, and wild tarantula welfare.
Speakers
BH

Becky Hansis-O'Neill

PhD Candidate, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Protecting Remnant Prairies and Grassland Reconstruction/Restoration Success Across Missouri.
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jerod Huebner, Missouri Prairie Foundation

ABSTRACT: Highlight recent remnant prairie acquisitions by MPF. In the last 9 years, MPF has increased its landholdings from 21 sites ~2500 acres to 35 sites totaling over 4500 acres. Much of this is high quality remnant prairie with adjacent reconstructions and restorations. MPF has targeted rare prairie types most recently, acquiring one loess hill prairie and three sand prairies.
Speakers
JH

jerod huebner

Director of Prairie Management, Missouri Prairie Foundation
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-01: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Autonomous Recording Units for Detecting Upper Mississippi River Migratory Landbirds
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nicole Michel, National Audubon Society; Jennifer Fuller, National Audubon Society; Dale Gentry, National Audubon Society; Michael Worland, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: The use of autonomous recording units (ARUs) is rapidly growing in the field of avian monitoring. While in-person surveys are often limited by the availability of trained observers and survey duration, ARUs enable researchers to control survey timing and drastically increase sampling frequency and duration. This improves the probability of detecting species and accurately assessing characteristics such as species richness or individual species occupancy. However, until recently, ARU recordings were manually processed by human listeners, which is inefficient and highly time-consuming. Today, numerous publicly available classifiers exist to expedite this process, but these classifiers still require human-assisted validation to confirm whether they can accurately detect species of interest. We performed a pilot study examining the effectiveness of a popular classifier, BirdNET Analyzer, for detecting 24 different migratory landbird species at the Riverbend Nature Center in Fairbault, MN. Three ARUs were deployed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources May 11th through May 31st, 2023, for four hours after sunrise. ARU recordings were analyzed using BirdNET Analyzer, with up to 100 random samples per species extracted and validated manually in Raven Lite software as either true or false detections. We then identified species-specific confidence thresholds where we were 90-95% confident detections were true positives using a logistic regression. We detected 21 of 24 migratory landbird species, and identified 14 species-specific thresholds for migratory landbirds in Minnesota. Overall, we found that BirdNET Analyzer with human validation was highly effective for remotely monitoring avian species in this region. These findings provide valuable insight for monitoring migratory landbirds in the Upper Mississippi River, as well as for designing effective ARU study designs for a variety of seasons and habitats.
Speakers
NM

Nicole Michel

Director of Quantitative Science, National Audubon Society
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-02: Moxostoma Migratory Movements during Restoration Efforts in the Cuyahoga River, OH
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Sophia M. Bonjour, U.S. Geological Survey; Cody G. Bowden, U.S. Geological Survey; Allison A. Pease, University of Missouri; Marc A. Mills, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; David M. Walters, U.S. Geological Survey; Ryan J. Trimbath, U.S. National Parks Service; Curtis Wagner, Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Ramsey Langford, Summit Metro Parks; Matthew R. Acre, U.S. Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to migratory species, particularly when compounded with additional environmental stressors. The Gorge Dam, located in the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern as designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is scheduled for removal in the coming years. Dam and associated contaminated sediment removal is a part of ongoing restoration efforts aimed at improving water quality, enhancing fish habitat, and facilitating fish passage. These efforts follow the removal of five other dams along the Cuyahoga River. In this study, we used acoustic and radio telemetry to examine the seasonal movements of two migratory redhorse sucker species from 2023 to 2024). Silver Redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) remained within the Cuyahoga River year-round, moving upstream an average of 28.8 km from March to April to an area between the historic Brecksville Dam (removed in 2020) and the Gorge Dam. In contrast, all seven Shorthead Redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) tagged in the river during 2023 migrated from the river into Lake Erie between May and July, moving a minimum of 60 km away from the river and averaging 19 km per day at emigration. Five Shorthead Redhorse returned to the Cuyahoga River between February and April 2024, with most fish moving more than 4 km upstream of the historic Brecksville Dam. Telemetry data provide support that fish are moving into areas reconnected by dam removals in the Cuyahoga River and reveal long-range migration patterns between the river and Lake Erie by Shorthead Redhorse.
Speakers
SB

Sophia Bonjour

Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-03: CWD: Decoding CWD Testing
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Sherri Russell, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease requires testing for the disease. The landscape of test options includes diagnostic tests, regulatory tests and experimental tests. Various tissue types, live and post- mortem tissue options further added to the complexity of the subject. This presentation will present an organized and comprehensive look at testing options and explain the limitations and strengths of the various choices. The presentation will be aimed at providing information to logically understand the tradeoffs between the test platforms and provide information in a way that is accessible to a wide audience of managers.
Speakers
SR

Sherri Russell

Science Branch Chief, Missouri Department of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-04: Bennett Spring State Fish Hatchery Renovations
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ben Havens

ABSTRACT: Bennett Spring State Fish Hatchery in Lebanon, Missouri, is undergoing a significant multi-year renovation, funded and approved unanimously by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Commission. This project aims to modernize the hatchery, which has been vital for trout production for over a century, by enhancing infrastructure such as a new water intake structure, raceway reconstruction, and water quality improvements. Despite temporary disruptions in fish production, fishing will continue with trout supplied from other hatcheries in the MDC Coldwater system. This renovation not only supports local recreation and tourism but also contributes to the economy, with over 140,000 anglers visiting annually, generating an estimated $187 million in economic impact. The project reflects MDC's commitment to preserving outdoor traditions and ensuring future generations can enjoy fishing at Bennett Spring State Park.
Speakers
BH

Ben Havens

Bennett Spring Hatchery Manager, MO Dept. of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-05: Conservation Counts: Building Urban and Rural Partnerships to Address Stream Biological Impairments
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Josh Balk. Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: For 20 years now, the Dry Run Creek Watershed Improvement Project in Cedar Falls, Iowa has worked to implement beneficial conservation practices throughout its diverse landscape. These efforts are to address local water quality issues, including a stream biological impairment (both diversity and quantity of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish populations). Primarily targeting urban stormwater runoff with connected impervious surfaces as well as stream sedimentation from soil erosion, this has created partnership opportunities with landowners from many different walks of life. Through these efforts, measurable progress is being made in the overall health of the watershed. Scopes have expanded to integrate community volunteers, climate mitigation practices, habitat improvement, and more. This presentation will focus on the accomplishments of the watershed project, the challenges along the way, plans for the future, as well as actionable steps that can be replicated elsewhere to achieve similar goals.
Speakers
JB

josh balk

Watershed and Source Water Protection Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-06: Fire effects on plant communities in Ozark woodlands and glades
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Carolyn A. Stephen, Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Jamie H. Ladner, National Park Service; Dan G. Drees, National Park Service; Lauren L. Sullivan, Michigan State University

ABSTRACT: This abstract was previously published in the journal Fire Ecology.
Citation: Stephen, C.A., Drees, D.G., Ladner, J.H., Sullivan, L.L. Fire effects on plant communities in Ozark woodlands and glades. Fire Ecology 20, 70 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-024-00299-3
Background: Decades of fire suppression caused drastic changes to community structure and composition across ecosystems, including in Ozark woodlands in Missouri, United States. Reintroducing fire can restore ground flora by reducing midstory tree density, increasing ground layer light, and reducing leaf litter accumulation, but we lack a clear understanding of how these effects vary across time and space. We investigated the effects of repeated prescribed fire on ground flora species richness, floristic quality, abundance, community composition, and stand structure over 20 years in a landscape matrix of dry-mesic woodlands, dry woodlands, and glades using data collected from the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Fire Effects Monitoring program in the Current River Watershed in the Missouri Ozarks.
Results: We found that fire plays a key role in driving community structure and dynamics across community types, although with varying levels of intensity. Herbaceous species richness, abundance, and floristic quality index increased across all community types, while mean coefficient of conservatism decreased. Abundance and floristic quality effects were stronger in drier sites. Community composition changed with successive burns, resulting in several indicator species for post burn treatments. The density of midstory trees declined across community types with repeated fire. The number of burns significantly affected overstory tree density overall, but overstory tree density only declined in dry woodlands and glades and not in dry-mesic woodlands.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that landscape fire shapes plant community structure and dynamics. Specifically, these findings show that fire effects vary among community types and suggest that land managers should consider landscape heterogeneity in fire application for restoration. Separate community types imbedded in the same landscape may respond to fire differently. Understanding repeated fire effects over several decades across multiple community types is critical to informing fire-driven woodland restoration across landscape scales.
Speakers
CS

Carrie Stephen

Natural Resource Ecologist, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Monday January 20, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

3:00pm CST

Coffee Break
Monday January 20, 2025 3:00pm - 3:20pm CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 3:00pm - 3:20pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Environmental changes lead to reduced Walleye production in Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Thomas S. Jones, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Mark Luehring, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Council
Heidi Rantala, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
John M. Hoenig, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences
Patrick J. Schmalz, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Abundance of Walleye in Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, has decreased since the 1990s. Two important environmental changes likely contributed to these declines. First, water clarity increased abruptly in the mid-1990s and increased clarity continues through the present day. Second, zebra mussels and spiny waterflea invaded in the late 2000’s, leading to a 90% reduction in zooplankton. Efforts to rebuild the stock through low harvest since 2013 have met with limited success. This study used multiple approaches to compare Walleye productivity changes associated with three time periods (pre-water clarity, post-water clarity, and post-invasive species). First, we estimated annual harvestable surpluses by summing Walleye fishing mortality and the resultant change in population size estimated from statistical catch-at-age models. These data were fit to surplus production models making various assumptions about the shape of the sustainable yield curve. Second, we estimated total annual Walleye production using an instantaneous growth model. All models showed reduced production after each ecological event. Recognition of reduced productivity may have ramifications for future Walleye management in Mille Lacs Lake.
Speakers
TJ

Tom Jones

Treaty Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Spatial and temporal resource use of the Upper Mississippi River
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shaley Valentine, Aquatic Ecology Lab, Ohio State University

ABSTRACT: River theory suggests predictable changes in biological resource availability occurs when the river’s physical structure shifts. However, little empirical evidence exists to know if river theories can predict shifts in resource use along environmental gradients and better understand the macrosystem structuring of difficult to study large rivers. Here, I quantified the prey and habitat use of eight native species across space and time using trace element, stable isotope, and diet analyses in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). The UMRS varies in its physical structure from homogenous and complex in the upper reaches to (Pools 4, 8, 13) to physically simple and disparate in the lower reaches (Pool 26, the Open River reach, and the La Grange Pool of the Illinois River), and I expected the resource use of fishes to follow this complexity pattern. At the smallest scale, diets of predatory fishes were homogenous in the physically similar upper reaches. At a seasonal scale, contrary to expectations, resource use breadth increased and isotopic overlap decreased from upstream to downstream. And at life-long scales, fish more often originated from tributaries and other river reaches than the mainstem river moving downstream. Combined, these data suggest that the physical environment of the UMRS affects the habitat and prey use of native fishes. These results follow different riverine theories depending on scale: physically homogenous reaches exhibited similar resource use (Serial Discontinuity Concept) and physically disparate research exhibited stark contrasts in resource use (River Continuum Concept or Riverine Ecosystem Synthesis). Regarding macrosystem structuring, these stark differences suggest the upper and lower reaches of the UMRS have different ecosystem structures and functions and that management of this system should occur at both local and system-wide scales.
Speakers
avatar for Shaley Valentine

Shaley Valentine

Post Doctoral Researcher, Ohio State University
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Habitat Features and the Presence of Coyotes Cause the Greatest Shifts in Mammal Diel Activity
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nathan J. Proudman, Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Maximilian L. Allen, Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: The ability of animals to plasticly adjust their diel activity has important implications for their persistence and the structure of food webs. While many studies have examined diel activity in mammals, few have compared multiple abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic variables to determine what factors have the strongest effects on sympatric species within a system. Understanding the bounds of variation in behavior is vital to accurately determine the effects of environmental stressors on the diel activity of wildlife. We quantified shifts in diel activity among nine sympatric mammal species using camera traps across Illinois. We found biotic variables to be responsible for the greatest average shifts in diel activity across all mammal species (Δ=16.8%). Domestic cats (Felis catus; Δ=25.7%), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes; Δ=25.2%), bobcats (Lynx rufus; Δ=20.7%), and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis; Δ=19.3%) exhibited the most behavioral plasticity of our focal species, suggesting contrasting behavioral strategies to the variables we tested. Decreased diurnal activity in more open habitat types by multiple species likely reflects the anthropogenic fear effects in the human-dominated landscape of Illinois, while urban environments may act as spatio-temporal refuges from coyotes (Canis latrans) for subordinate mesocarnivores. Our study shows that a broad range of factors contribute to variation in mammal diel activity, which can in turn affect the predatory and competitive pressures among sympatric species, with the potential for cascading effects across multiple trophic levels. Our study provides a robust baseline for the diel variation in mammal activity, allowing for more accurate assessments of their behavior.
Speakers
NP

Nathan Proudman

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: The Role of Extralimital Exploration in Avian Range Expansion
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Wendy Dorman, University of Illinios Urbana Champaign
Michael P. Ward, University of Illinios Urbana Champaign
Kirk Stodola, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: While many studies state that they expect birds in North America to shift their ranges north, little attention has been paid to which species will move and the mechanism by which ranges shift. Extralimital occurrences involve individuals occurring outside of their species’ core breeding distribution. The probability of extralimital occurrences may be used to infer the potential of a species to expand their range, while the location of extralimital occurrences could indicate potential areas where the range may expand. Combining eBird data, spatial modeling, and pattern analysis, I investigated range plasticity via extralimital occurrences of migrants north of their breeding distributions in the Midwest. Using dynamic occupancy modeling we predicted the likelihood of a given species to expand its range into particular areas and examined the relationship between predicted colonization and realized range shifts. We will discuss the potential for these metrics to be incorporated into an index of range plasticity.
Speakers
WD

Wendy Dorman

PhD Student, University of Illinois
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-01: A framework to facilitate habitat conservation for marsh birds in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Monfils, Michigan Natural Features Inventory; Rachael Pierce, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Kaitlin Barnes, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Stephanie Bielke, Great Lakes Audubon; Dani Fegan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Auriel Fournier, Illinois Natural History Survey; Erin Giese, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay; Doug Gorby, Upper Mississippi/Great Lakes Joint Venture; Andrew Hinickle, Great Lakes Audubon; Kristin Malone, SUNY Brockport; Kali Rush, Ducks Unlimited; Brendan Shirkey, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy; Ben Williams, Illinois Department of Natural Resources


ABSTRACT: Secretive marsh birds, such as grebes, rails, and bitterns, have received increased attention from the conservation community in recent decades due to declining populations, resulting in several species being identified as endangered and threatened at state levels and species of greatest conservation need in state wildlife action plans. Despite increased concern for these species, conservation activities targeting secretive marsh birds has been limited in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. To meet objectives for these species identified in regional and state conservation plans, greater communication, coordination, and collaboration among partners is needed to overcome barriers hindering marsh bird habitat conservation. With support from the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture, a group of partners began work in early 2023 to create a framework that would provide the information and tools needed to deliver increased conservation activity for marsh birds. We will describe the process used to develop the framework and give an overview of the resulting vision, mission, goals, objectives, and strategies. We will also provide details on our plans for implementation, highlight current activities, and describe opportunities for people to get involved.
Speakers
MM

Michael Monfils

Director, MIchigan Natural Features Inventory
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-02: Can We Have Our Cake and Eat It to? Retrofitting an Aging Urban Dam for Multiuse, Including Recreation and Fish Passage.
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Don Pereira, HDR Inc.; Cory Gieseke, HDR Inc.; Joe Dvorak, HDR Inc.; Riley Adams, Calibre Engineering; Ben Nelson, City of Anoka; Chris Lord, Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District; Martin Weber, HDR Inc.


ABSTRACT: The Rum River in Minnesota is a tributary to the Mississippi River. It flows out of Mille Lacs Lake and joins the Mississippi River approximately 20 miles upstream of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The Rum River is a significant coolwater ecosystem and is included in the State of Minnesota’s Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River Program. A wooden dam on the Rum River was initially constructed in 1853 to provide power for the early timber industry. After several modifications, the concrete dam today only provides for flood control and a summer recreational pool. The City of Anoka is now evaluating large scale reconstruction/modification and retrofitting to accommodate multiple uses and visions for the community. Candidate uses include hydroelectric power, a lock system for recreational boaters, a whitewater park, fish passage, and safety upgrades. We applied a water allocation model to determine the optimal combination of uses based on the amount of water available throughout the year. Our initial design work indicates that fish passage, a boat lock, and a whitewater park may be feasible. A comprehensive, multi-use system will serve many benefits, and a modernized, gentrified dam will be a key focal point for the local community.
Speakers
DP

Donald Pereira

Senior Fisheries Biologist, HDR Inc.
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-03: CWD: Where Have All the Deer gone?
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tricia L. Fry, Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; Michael Tonkovich, Ohio Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Conserving natural resources requires attention to the insults that aim to decrease biodiversity, spread disease, and affect an ecological community. One of these may be the white-tailed deer. When deer populations grow unchecked, they can have significant negative effects on biodiversity. Blossey et al. 2024, suggests that deer management responsibilities in the U.S. should move from state to federal oversight, as states lack the authority to address the broader spectrum of threats posed by burgeoning deer populations including human health and commercial interests, to mention a few. While we do agree with most of the author’s views on the threats that deer pose to forest ecosystems, the connections with human health, the ever-growing human-deer conflict interface, we believe that deer management is much too nuanced for federal oversight. Moreover, states have successfully managed deer for decades and are poised to continue that role, even as new challenges, that require innovative solutions, arise. As agencies struggle with declining hunter numbers, unchecked deer herd growth, increasing CWD distribution, and a growing list of conflicts, hunters are enjoying near unprecedented success rates and harvest opportunities. This sets the stage for a showdown between competing interests. We offer a perspective on the role agencies have in responding to CWD, deer management, and importantly, conservation goals of a more diverse suite of constituents. This is likely to require altering current systems and thinking outside the box to achieve management and conservation goals. Using a systems approach, we propose that agencies can tackle CWD and deer management using assets and expertise within their agencies and looking at deer management from a one health lens.
Speakers
TF

Tricia Fry

Fish and Wildlife Health Coordinator, Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-04: Insights into Missouri's Urban Winter Trout Program
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: John Schulte, Missouri Department of Conservation; Andrew Glen, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Missouri’s Urban Winter Trout Program (WTP) successfully provides close-to-home trout angling opportunities for residence of urban population centers near Kansas City (KC), Springfield, and St. Louis (STL). The WTP stockings have been administered and funded by the Missouri Department of Conservation, which stocks community and agency-owned lakes across Missouri’s major metropolitan spaces. This talk provides a brief overview of the MO WTP, including stocking efforts, and recent insights into the region’s urban trout recent angler opinion and demographic surveys.

Community partner WTP lakes are stocked exclusively through the Community Assistance Program (CAP) which is a contractual agreement through which MDC agrees to monitor, stock, and maintain fish populations within the enrolled lakes. MDC’s WTP annually stocks 46 community lakes, November through February, with over 100,000 Rainbow Trout (RBT) and Brown Trout (BT) averaging a minimum 304-mm. Trout are primarily raised and distributed by state-agency owned cold-water hatcheries at Shepherd of the Hills, Montauk, Bennet Springs.

Continued interest in MO’s WTP has again been demonstrated by urban anglers from across the state through the recent WTP angler participation survey. During 2023 MDC conducted a preliminary trout angler survey on 8 urban trout lakes in three regions (KC, Central, STL) to better understand angler usage, demographics, and inform recruitment efforts. Survey results from across participating regions showed most cooperating anglers; consumed what fish they caught, preferred traveling < 20 miles to trout fish, and KC anglers strongly supported expansion of trout angling opportunities. The survey inversely showed a clear need for better survey accommodations for non-English and ESL speaking anglers in future efforts.

However, there is still a clear need for expanded insight into agency efforts and the processes that benefit and are supported by the WTP, as to help better inform program reach and service to urban residents and underserved communities.
Speakers
JS

John Schulte

Fisheries Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-05: Growing Relationships for Increasing Wetland Practice Adoption to Improve Downstream Water Quality
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jill Kostel, PhD, Water Resources Program Director, The Wetlands Initiative; Jean McGuire, Field Outreach Specialist, The Wetlands Initiative; Jason Bleich, Private Lands Biologist, USFWS – Partners of Fish & Wildlife Program

ABSTRACT: The Wetlands Initiative’s Smart Wetlands program focuses on empowering farmers and agricultural communities to voluntarily reduce their nutrient loss into local drainageways and streams through the implementation of tile-treatment wetlands. To be effective at scale for water quality improvement, tile-treatment wetlands must one day become routine practice across the Midwest. Unfortunately, the adoption of this practice has been slow due to several challenges: lack of familiarity with the practice and its suitability for their farm, high up-front cost of implementation, and absence of a clear/direct incentive for the farmer or landowner in terms of productivity or profitability. To overcome these barriers, the Smart Wetlands team has been developing both targeted individual and advisor outreach approaches and strategic partnerships with both conservation peers and ag-sector organizations to reach a range of audiences. Our collaborative, data-driven outreach strategies provide a model that can be replicated in tile-drained areas across the Midwest to increase adoption of wetland practices and other edge-of-field practices for cleaner water.
Tile-treatment wetlands typically are located at the intersection of subsurface drainage and land at the edge of row-crop fields, where they provide a natural long-term and effective solution to the critical issue of ag nutrient runoff, which impairs waterways and harms fish habitat. Typically, these wetlands are located on less-profitable farmland acres; however, the adjacent unfarmable landscape may provide additional site opportunities. The adjacent landowners can improve downstream water quality, while the wetlands provide enhanced wildlife habitat for recreational activities.
A case study from north-central Illinois, outreach strategies, and management tools will be presented for conservation outreach professionals and technical experts who implement practices that address water quality and natural habitat resource concerns. The case study will focus on a tile-treatment wetland constructed on land next to a row-crop field. The project design focused on improving water quality while creating wildlife habitat for hunting and dog training. To accomplish this project, we created a collaborative community of wetland conservation professionals, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association. The talk will outline how these partnerships came together to successfully build both a tile-treatment wetland and a restored wetland for the landowners and to host three individual outreach and education events at the site in 2022.
Speakers
JK

Jill Kostel

Water Resources Program Director, Wetlands Initiative
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-06: Burn with Care – Challenges and Considerations for Replicating Historic Fire in Missouri State Parks
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ron Colatskie, Missouri State Parks

ABSTRACT: Following decades of focused fire suppression efforts in the early to mid-20th century, prescribed fire as a landscape management tool faced heated controversy as the concept and its application in Missouri landscapes developed in the 1980’s. By the 1990’s, prescribed fire became a common and accepted practice to maintain fire-adapted natural communities to the benefit of their associated flora and fauna. Missouri State Parks took a leading role in applying prescribed fire to a variety of natural communities statewide and now maintains over 42,000 acres within a burn rotation with nearly 10,000 acres burned annually throughout Missouri State Park lands. Contemporarily, prescribed fire in is again under a microscope as some within the greater conservation community have shared concerns regarding potential negative impacts from prescribed fire to natural communities. Primary questions include burn seasonality, application methods and where fire is applied. This brief discussion will explore steps Missouri State Parks staff are taking and challenges they are encountering to best replicate historic fire processes for the benefit of flora and wildlife in Missouri State Park landscapes. Additionally, preliminary findings from recent research and monitoring efforts to address potential negative fire impacts will be shared.
Speakers
RC

Ron Colatskie

Natural Resource Ecologist, Missouri State Parks
Monday January 20, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Evaluating the distribution of fish community production in northern Wisconsin lakes with different walleye recruitment histories
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Maxwel Wilkinson, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point; Stephanie Shaw, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Escanaba Lake Research Station; Joseph Mrnak, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Escanaba Lake Research Station and University of Wisconsin - Madison, Center for Limnology; Greg Sass, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Escanaba Lake Research Station; Daniel Dembkowski, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point; Daniel Isermann, U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

ABSTRACT: The Ceded Territory of Wisconsin is a lake-rich region that supports important tribal subsistence and recreational fisheries for multiple species. Recently, declines in walleye Sander vitreus production and recruitment, coupled with increases in centrarchid abundance (e.g., largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) have created challenges for managers in terms of maintaining desired fish community structure amidst changing environmental conditions and angler preferences. Competitive and predatory interactions between centrarchid species and walleye have been hypothesized to influence walleye natural recruitment, notably in small lakes (
Speakers
MW

Maxwel Wilkinson

Graduate Research Assistant, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Macroinvertebrate Assemblages Using Live Freshwater Mussels as Habitat
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Madison Dunlap, Central Michigan University Biology Department and Institute for Great Lakes Research; Daelyn Woolnough, Central Michigan University Biology Department and Institute for Great Lakes Research

ABSTRACT: Unionids (i.e., native freshwater mussels) provide essential ecosystem services to other benthic macroinvertebrates by concentrating nutrients as well as stabilizing substrate. Research has indicated that different unionid species may contribute unequally to ecosystem services which may be particularly important to epizoic macroinvertebrates living on live unionids. This research sought to understand what ecosystem factors or unionid traits contribute to structuring the epizoic assemblage and how epizoic assemblages relate to the larger benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage. Metadata was collected from unionid surveys between 2015-2023 from across the Chippewa River, Michigan USA. Macroinvertebrate and epizoite data, as well as additional data to fill in data gaps from metadata analyses, were collected during the summer of 2024 at 12 Chippewa River sites. Questions we ask include: 1) What macroinvertebrate assemblages are using live unionids as habitat, 2) Do different traits of unionid shells (e.g., smooth, bumpy, size) contribute to different epizoic assemblages and, 3) How does the epizoic assemblage on unionids compare to traditional D-net macroinvertebrate assemblages? This study considered 5 species of unionids. Analyses is ongoing but will include a comparison of epizoite and benthic macroinvertebrate data across biotic and environmental factors, a prediction of the epizoite density and species richness of epizoite macroinvertebrates based on unionid host traits, and a comparison of epizoic assemblage metrics. Overall, we predict that macroinvertebrate epizoic assemblage will differ from the surrounding benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage and will be structured based on unionid traits. Results give insight into how changes in unionid assemblages, like species extinction and declines, may impact ecosystem services and how data on benthic macroinvertebrates can inform this research. This work is the first to quantify epizoic organisms across multiple species of unionid hosts and compare epizoic macroinvertebrate assemblage to the surrounding macroinvertebrate assemblage.
Speakers
MD

Madison Dunlap

Graduate Student, Central Michigan University
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Investigating the effects of habitat on the distribution and abundance of Chuck-will’s-widows (Antrostomus carolinensis) in central Texas, their diet across space and time, and insect availability and preference.
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT: Chuck-will's-widows are a declining crepuscular nightjar that breeds across eastern North America. They are among the largest nightjars, primarily sustaining themselves on insects. Despite their overall decline, their presence at Fort Cavazos during breeding seasons appears consistent and widespread. However, limited research has been conducted on this species at Fort Cavazos, prompting an investigation into their distribution and habitat preferences. To address this gap, fieldwork has been undertaken utilizing various methodologies. Point counts, microhabitat measurements, and GIS LiDAR technology have been used to find the reasons behind their presence at Fort Cavazos. Despite the base being subject to constant disturbance, fragmentation, and localized droughts, Chuck-will's-widows persist in the area, suggesting potential habitat suitability amidst challenging conditions. Data collected from two field seasons (Spring 2023 and 2024) along with four years of point count data (Spring 2021-2024) will be analyzed to discern patterns in their distribution and habitat preferences. Additionally, insect availability in the habitat of Chuck-will's-widow is being assessed through insect traps, aiming to correlate their presence with specific insect populations. By examining habitat characteristics, insect availability, and the species' distribution patterns, this research seeks to determine whether Chuck-will's-widows exhibit preferences for particular habitats or specific insect prey. An analysis of CWWI diet is also being conducted through metabarcoding fecal samples to be able to compare insect availability with chosen prey. Such insights are critical for understanding the factors influencing their presence at Fort Cavazos and for informing conservation strategies to mitigate the decline of this species in other areas.
Speakers
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Space use and habitat selection of a recolonized bobcat population
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ellen M. Audia, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Katherine M. Buckman, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Brent S. Pease, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Clayton K. Nielsen, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ABSTRACT: Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in the midwestern U.S. experienced dramatic population declines throughout the 1900s due to overharvest and agricultural expansion. Increased protection allowed bobcats to recolonize the agriculturally dominated, fragmented landscape of north-central Illinois, where they are likely using and selecting habitat differently than bobcats in less fragmented landscapes. We evaluated home range size, second order (i.e., home range) habitat selection, and dispersal of 28 bobcats in north-central Illinois during 2022-2024. Mean annual home range size of males was 166.1 ± 99.2 km2 (SD throughout, n = 11) and larger (P = 0.01) than that of females (89.5 ± 119.4 km2, n = 8). Mean annual home range size of juveniles was 273.5 ± 125.3 km2 (n = 4) and larger (P < 0.01) than that of adults (96.6 ± 75.3 km2, n = 15). Home range sizes were similar (P = 0.4) between the kitten-rearing (138.1 ± 155.1 km2, n = 14) and breeding seasons (111.0 ± 102.5 km2, n = 18). Consistent with previous research, bobcats selected for forest cover over other land cover types; locations closer to forest edges, streams, and waterbodies; and locations farther from roads. Mean dispersal distance of 7 juveniles was 65.9 ± 42.4 km and similar to other midwestern populations, with 4 males and 1 female dispersing north, and 2 males dispersing southeast. Home range size differences between sexes, ages, and seasons were generally consistent with other studies; however, home ranges were larger than those of other populations suggesting bobcat space requirements may be greater in this fragmented landscape. The selection of forest cover and locations closer to forest edges and streams indicates that riparian forests along the Illinois river provide important habitat for bobcats and may have helped facilitate their recolonization of this region.
Speakers
EA

Ellen Audia

Graduate Assistant, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-01: Sora and Virginia Rail Migratory Timing and Stopover Duration in the Illinois River Valley
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Auriel Fournier, Forbes Biological Station–Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
Chad Cremer, Forbes Biological Station–Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
Nicole Pietrunti, Forbes Biological Station–Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
Mike Avara, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Havana, Illinois, 62644
Therin Bradshaw, Forbes Biological Station–Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
Chelsea Kross, Forbes Biological Station–Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
Andrew Gilbert, Forbes Biological Station–Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
Joshua Osborn, Forbes Biological Station–Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
Mike Ward, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


ABSTRACT: Public wetlands within the midwestern US are managed for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species, providing habitat for migratory wetland bird species provides the additional challenge of creating the needed habitat at the needed time. While a body of literature is available about the migratory timing of waterfowl and shorebirds other marsh birds remain a data gap. Rallids (Family Rallidae) are members of a larger group of marsh birds, which includes game and non-game species that use a variety of emergent wetlands. Sora and Virginia rail are the most abundant game species among Rallids found in the Midwest. Uncertainty remains about the stopover duration, migratory decisions, and migratory paths of both species in spring and fall migration. Our objectives were to determine the spring and fall migratory timing, stopover duration and migratory pathways of Sora and Virginia Rail.
Speakers
AF

Auriel Fournier

Director, Forbes Biological Station
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-02: Utilizing the USFWS National Fish Passage Coordination Map and the SARP National Aquatic Barrier Inventory and Prioritization Tool to Assess Stream Connectivity Across the Western Great Plains
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jacob Zona, South Dakota State University; Tait Ronningen, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Christopher Cheek, South Dakota State University; Stephanie Webster, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Habitat fragmentation is one of the most pressing issues in conservation biology. Restricting the movement of organisms can limit access to critical habitats during different life history stages, reduce population sizes, decrease genetic connectivity, and ultimately disrupt community structure. There has been a tremendous amount of research and management focused on the impact of large dams on aquatic ecosystems, particularly anadromous fishes. However, the removal or remediation of these structures is often socially unfeasible or financially restrictive. Work focusing on smaller, more abundant barriers to aquatic organism passage (e.g. culverts, low-head dams) has increased in recent years. Considering the wide geographic scope of this issue and the enormous number of potential barriers, careful consideration needs to be taken on where best to focus limited financial resources. As more stakeholders begin working in watershed connectivity, coordination between partners becomes increasingly important. Multiple resources available to managers have been recently developed to aid in this prioritization and coordination. We utilized the USFWS National Fish Passage Coordination Map and the SARP National Aquatic Barrier Inventory and Prioritization Tool to help us more effectively assess stream connectivity across the western Great Plains in partnership with the BLM. Using the NFPCM we prioritized 38 HUC10 watersheds across Eastern Montana based on percent BLM ownership, SGCN fish species richness, amount of stream habitat, and coverage by previous barrier survey projects. We also used the NFPCM combined with other GIS tools to identify, categorize, and prioritize potential barriers within each watershed prior to field surveys. Between July and September 2024, 329 potential barriers were assessed using the Stream Crossing Survey and the Dam and Diversions Survey through SARP. Each survey was uploaded to the NABI where managers can now use the prioritization tool to determine best candidates for remediation based on their specific connectivity goals.
Speakers
JZ

Jacob Zona

Research Associate, South Dakota State University
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-03: CWD: CWD Hunter Harvest Initiative
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Hudman Deborah, MDC; Jason Isabelle, MDC; Aaron Hildreth, MDC

ABSTRACT: Management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is critical to slow the spread of the disease and to protect Missouri’s white-tailed deer population. However, enacting the management is expensive, very demanding of staffing resources, and controversial with some members of the public.

As CWD expands in Missouri, it strains resources needed to manage the disease and necessitates the exploration of new management alternatives. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) CWD Hunter Harvest Initiative aims to increase deer harvest during the regular hunting season in select areas where CWD has been found to reduce or eliminate the need to conduct post-season targeted removal efforts which are very labor intensive. Engaging local stakeholders in the initiative aims to enhance efficiencies and promote sustainable management of CWD.

The CWD Hunter Harvest Initiative is being piloted in four CWD Core Areas, defined as areas within roughly two miles of a CWD-positive detection. For each core area, a deer harvest goal was established and provided to landowners with property in the core area. Public meetings were held with core area landowners. A public facing website and dashboard were created to allow landowners and hunters to track progress towards the harvest goal.

To count towards the harvest goal, hunters must have had the deer sampled for CWD at a voluntary sampling location or by depositing the deer head in a designated freezer. Landowners were notified if the removal goal was met in a core area. If the goal was not met, post-season targeted removal was conducted.

Speakers
DH

Deborah Hudman

Wildlife Health Program Supervisor, Missouri Department of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-04: Evaluating Brown Trout strains stocked into Spring River, Arkansas
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Joseph E. Kaiser, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Christy Graham, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

ABSTRACT: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) primarily stock two strains of Brown Trout Salmo trutta into Arkansas’ trout fisheries. Those strains include the Plymouth Rock and Crawford strains, which were considered average regarding hatchery and post-stocking performance according to historic evaluations conducted for the USFWS’s Strain Registry. In 2021, we began a contemporary evaluation of both strains on the Spring River trout fishery located in north-central Arkansas. The evaluation coincides with current strategies used for managing Brown Trout on Spring River which include annually stocking approximately 10,000, 229-mm fish and regulating harvest with a daily limit of one fish over 356 mm. From 2021 to 2024, we uniquely marked all Brown Trout stocked in Spring River (2021-22 = Crawford; 2023-24 = Plymouth Rock). We collected and tagged Brown Trout seasonally (every 3-5 months) beginning in June 2021 to track growth and survival rates of each strain. We also collected data on seasonal diets, water temperatures, and Rainbow Trout stocking rates to incorporate into the current evaluation.
Speakers
JK

Joseph Kaiser

Trout Management Biologist, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-05: Scars to Shiners. Iowa's Private-Public Partnership to Save the Endangered Topeka Shiner through Oxbow Restorations.
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brandon Iddings, Iowa Soybean Association

ABSTRACT: Showcase Iowa's unique partnership between public-private organizations and private landowners/farmers to recover the endangered Topeka Shiner. The Iowa Soybean Association, The Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and private landowners have been restoring oxbows since 2001 benefiting water quality, and wildlife habitats. With hundreds of restorations completed statewide to create new habitat.
Crop commodity groups are helping push conservation in Iowa and having huge success working with diverse partners. Demonstrate voluntary efforts of landowners and identify how farmer driven outreach can reduce your outreach efforts while growing your projects. Show the benefits to the farmers/landowners as well as the fish and wildlife in these ecosystems.
Speakers
BI

Brandon Iddings

Conservation Services Manager, Iowa Soybean Association
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-06: Native bee response to woodland and glade restoration on Missouri’s state parks
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Ken McCarty, Missouri State Parks (retired)

ABSTRACT:  Native Ozark woodland- and glade dominated landscapes easily support 30 to 40 percent of Missouri’s native plant species at even a single site, including large numbers of conservative species. Their plant-dense, season-long floral progressions potentially support equally robust and diverse bee communities. Forty years of conservation effort protecting remnants, applying fire, and managing woody density or composition has yielded impressive examples and many designated Missouri Natural Areas. Intensive surveys since 2016 have explored bee diversity and bee community characteristics across 17 such sites within Missouri’s state parks. This presentation summarizes the findings, to emphasize the important role remnant native ecosystems play as reservoirs of bee biodiversity, and benchmarks that may help pollinator conservation efforts in more developed or altered contemporary environments.
Speakers
KM

Ken McCarty

Director, Natural Resources Program, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Monday January 20, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Evaluation of otolith and eye lens chemistry for identifying stocked Walleye
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Joshua Fluur, Southern Illinois University; Gregory Whitledge, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Walleye (Sander vitreus) is a popular sportfish whose populations are often supported by maintenance or supplemental stocking, with most fish stocked as fry, fingerlings, or advanced fingerlings. Evaluation of stocking efficacy is important to inform decisions regarding fish stocking rates and sizes and allocating hatchery fish to locations where maintenance or supplemental stocking is most needed. Several types of artificial tags or marks can potentially be used to identify stocked fish, but many have various drawbacks. Natural chemical markers in otoliths or eye lenses offer several advantages compared to conventional tags or marks and can be used to identify stocked fish when differences between hatchery-reared and wild fish are present. However, the accuracy of these approaches for identifying Walleye stocked at either fry or fingerling sizes has not been evaluated. Thus, the objectives of this study are to assess identification accuracy for Walleye stocked as fry or fingerlings using otolith microchemistry and eye lens stable isotope analysis. Known stocked fish and fish moved between chemically distinct locations to simulate stocking were obtained from several sources. Results to date indicate that otolith microchemistry can identify Walleye stocked as fingerlings with high accuracy and that the source hatchery signature can be detected in fish stocked as early as three days post-hatch. Results of this study will provide guidance regarding applications of otolith and eye lens chemistry techniques to assess contributions of stocking and natural reproduction to Walleye populations and relative efficacy of stocking fish at varied sizes.
Speakers
JF

Joshua Fluur

Graduate Assistant, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Spectaclecase Mussel Detection in the Upper Mississippi River Using eDNA
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tariq Tajjioui, U.S. Geological Survey; Daniel Kelner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Stephen F. Spear, U.S. Geological Survey; Diane L. Waller, U.S. Geological Survey; Trevor W. Cyphers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Joseph W. Jordan, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Christopher M. Merkes, U.S. Geological Survey; Colin C. Moratz, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Theresa M. Schreier, U.S. Geological Survey; Bernard E. Sietman, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Sarah A. Douglass, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: The Spectaclecase mussel (Cumberlandia monodonta) is an endangered freshwater species native to the large rivers of the Mississippi River basin in the Midwest and Southeast United States. To support the conservation of Spectaclecase populations, organizations such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are implementing habitat restoration initiatives along the upper Mississippi River (UMR). However, there are few known populations of Spectaclecase in the UMR, and gathering more occurrence data is crucial for effective restoration efforts. Traditional diving methods are typically used for surveying Spectaclecase, but this species’ preference for sheltered habitats, such as large interstitial spaces and crevices, makes these methods risky, costly, and time-consuming. Environmental DNA (eDNA) presents a promising alternative for monitoring aquatic species, although freshwater mussels often yield low detection rates. A quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for Spectaclecase has previously been developed to detect known populations. Our study aimed to build on this foundation by conducting eDNA surveys throughout the UMR to assess detection rates and locate unknown populations. Between 2020 and 2024, we collected eDNA samples from over 250 sites across 23 pools in the UMR. DNA from the samples was extracted and analyzed using the established Spectaclecase eDNA marker. We also performed dive surveys at any new positive eDNA detection site to confirm the presence of this species. Our findings indicate that eDNA can successfully identify previously unknown populations of Spectaclecase, although locations with documented populations of Spectaclecase sometimes failed to produce positive eDNA detections. Dive surveys revealed that even weak positive eDNA detections were sufficient to locate Spectaclecase mussels. This research highlights the effectiveness of eDNA as a monitoring tool for this endangered species while also addressing the challenges of detecting declining mussel populations in expansive river systems.
Speakers
TT

Tariq Tajjioui

Geneticist, U.S. Geological Survey
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

Wildlife Track: Habitat Selection of Gray Foxes in Southern Illinois
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nadine Pershyn, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Clay Nielsen, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Nicole Gorman, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Abby Weber, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; and Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ABSTRACT: Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) populations have declined throughout the midwestern U.S. without clear causation. Despite this decline, until recently minimal research has been conducted in the region to gain insight into the ecological needs of a vulnerable population. We evaluated gray fox second order habitat selection to determine which habitats are best suited to supporting gray foxes in southern Illinois and similar landscapes throughout the region. Gray foxes were trapped during November-March 2022-2024 using padded foothold traps and fitted with GPS collars programmed to take locations every 2 hr. Using more than 11,000 GPS locations from 10 gray foxes (5 ad F, 4 ad M, 1 ju M), we used a 2nd order resource selection function (RSF) to analyze habitat selection relative to vegetation cover (e.g., forest, grassland, crop, shrub, barren), distance to forest-grassland edges, distance to forest-crop edges, human development, distance to secondary roads, and elevation. We also investigated the impact of relative probability of use (RPU) across the landscape of coyotes (Canis latrans) and bobcats (Lynx rufus), using GPS locations also collected across southern Illinois. Gray foxes selected most strongly for developed areas, grasslands, and forest, and preferred areas closer to forest-grassland edge and farther from forest-crop edges and secondary roads. Our results support previous research that shows interspersed forest and grassland is important gray fox habitat. Gray foxes avoided areas with high coyote RPU but were not impacted by bobcat RPU. Coyotes are intraguild predators of gray foxes, and may contribute to mortality, which could be why gray foxes avoided them. Bobcats have similar habitat requirements and prey as gray foxes, which could explain the lack of response. Our study provides novel insight into habitat selection of a species of concern and sheds light on intraguild carnivore interactions.
Speakers
NP

Nadine Pershyn

Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

Wildlife Track: Integrated dynamic occupancy models reveal declines in gamebird distributions in Illinois and sampling bias in eBird data
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Lauren C. Scopel, Illinois Natural History Survey; T.J. Benson, Illinois Natural History Survey; Maximilian L. Allen, Illinois Natural History Survey; Kirk W. Stodola, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Wildlife face increasing threats from a variety of anthropogenic sources, yet wildlife research, monitoring, and conservation funding is increasingly at risk. Wildlife managers thus face pressure to become more efficient, reducing time available for long-term survey efforts. One potential way to complement existing surveys is the use of publicly available federal or citizen science data. We integrated data from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and eBird to analyze the distribution of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in Illinois between 2010-2022. We used dynamic occupancy models and Bayesian methods to track long-term changes for each species, while also examining potential bias in sampling design for each survey type. Bobwhite and pheasant occupancy declined over the 13-year period and were negatively associated with urban land cover. Of the three surveys, IDNR had the greatest detection rates for both species, whereas eBird detection rates were lowest, especially for bobwhite. eBird data, unlike the other data sources, also showed a bias in sampling effort, where users preferentially surveyed urban and wetland areas relative to their occurrence in the state. Our results indicate that intensive monitoring should continue for gamebirds in Illinois, given their ongoing declines. BBS and eBird data can complement high-quality IDNR data, but eBird data especially need additional treatment during analysis to ensure more accurate occupancy estimates.
Speakers
LS

Lauren Scopel

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Illinois Natural History Survey
I am a postdoctoral research associate at the Illinois Natural History Survey (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).  I currently study the population dynamics of furbearers in Illinois using Bayesian methods.  My past research has been in seabird population and community... Read More →
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-01: Monitoring grassland bird populations in Missouri & beyond
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ethan Duke and Dana Ripper, Missouri River Bird Observatory

ABSTRACT: As this audience is aware, the precipitous long-term decline in grassland-obligate bird populations continues largely unabated. We will discuss 12 years of monitoring data from Missouri and surrounding states, how these data can be applied to management action, and how current technology can be employed for real-time analysis and data-sharing. We will also discuss practical suggestions for effectively deploying resources to grassland bird conservation.
Speakers
avatar for Dana Ripper

Dana Ripper

Director, Missouri River Bird Observatory
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-02: Connecting Freshwater Resilience and Barrier Prioritization
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mary Khoury, The Nature Conservancy; Erik Martin, The Nature Conservancy; Mark Anderson, The Nature Conservancy; Arlene Olivero, The Nature Conservancy; Analie Barnett, The Nature Conservancy.

ABSTRACT: Over the last century, the ecological integrity of most streams and lakes has declined, and now climate change is altering historic precipitation and temperature patterns, further impacting freshwater environments. In response, The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Center for Resilient Conservation Science engaged 60 colleagues over three years to assess river networks in the conterminous United States (CONUS) for resilience to climate change (Anderson et al. 2024). Freshwater resilience is the ability of a freshwater system to sustain biodiversity even as it responds to a changing climate. An integral component of freshwater resilience is aquatic connectivity. Large, diverse, and connected river networks in good ecological condition and with ample, unaltered water are expected to be more resilient because they provide many ways for freshwater species to adapt to changing conditions. TNC’s freshwater resilience analysis results are designed to assist practitioners working to protect or restore freshwater habitats. Available through the Resilient River Explorer (maps.tnc.org/resilientrivers), the two main products are: 1. Freshwater Resilience, a map and spatial database that scores every subwatershed in CONUS for climate resilience and provides users with the component values used to calculate resilience; and 2. the Freshwater Resilient and Connected Network (FRCN), which identifies a representative network of rivers, streams, and wetlands that, if conserved, could potentially sustain the freshwater diversity of CONUS under a changing climate. This presentation will highlight the key components of TNC’s freshwater resilience analysis, introduce the Resilient River Explorer (RRE) web tool and discuss its complementarity with the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory and Prioritization tool (https://aquaticbarriers.org/). While each web tool serves distinct purposes, the two can be used together to inform aquatic connectivity restoration activities that will increase the resilience of freshwater systems.
Speakers
avatar for Mary Khoury

Mary Khoury

Freshwater Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy
Regional freshwater planning and ecological integrity assessment.
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-03: CWD: Calculating the Cost of CWD: A Minnesota Approach
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: [presenting] Elizabeth Rasmussen, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; 5463 W Broadway Ave, Forest Lake, MN 55025;
elizabeth.rasmussen@state.mn.us; 651-302-5042

Kelsie LaSharr, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 5463 W Broadway Ave, Forest Lake, MN 55025; kelsie.lasharr@state.mn.us

Michelle Carstensen, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; 5463 W Broadway Ave, Forest Lake, MN 55025; michelle.carstensen@state.mn.us;

Erik Hildebrand, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; 5463 W Broadway Ave, Forest Lake, MN 55025; erik.hildebrand@state.mn.us

ABSTRACT: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has conducted Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) since 2002. Since 2016 different surveillance approaches have been implemented, each with varying costs, benefits, trade-offs, and lessons learned. In this presentation I will detail how we calculate a Cost Per Sample for both voluntary and mandatory sampling frameworks, and how this has factored into determining the “sweet spot” of our current surveillance approach. As the disease continues to affect more areas and resources are stretched, having a Cost Per Sample metric gives us the ability to assess staffing, management, and confidence in disease detection against the bottom line.
Speakers
ER

Elizabeth Rasmussen

Wildlife Health Biologist, MNDNR
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-04: Evaluation of the Effects of a Slot Length Limit and Stocking Changes for Rainbow and Brown Trout in Lake Taneycomo, Missouri
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shane Bush, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Lake Taneycomo was built in 1913 and is Missouri's oldest hydroelectric reservoir. The lake is riverine in nature, 22 miles in length and encompasses 2,080 surface acres. Prior to 1958, Lake Taneycomo supported one of Missouri's best warm-water fisheries. This changed in 1958 when Table Rock Dam, located in the headwater of Lake Taneycomo, began discharging cold hypolimnetic water into Lake Taneycomo. The discharge of cold water changed Lake Taneycomo into a cold-water environment, providing optimal conditions for trout. Rainbow trout were first stocked into Lake Taneycomo in 1958 and brown trout were first stocked in 1980. By the late 1960s, largely through the introduction of Gammarus pseudolimnaeus, rainbow trout were exhibiting growth rates up to 0.7 inch per month. Large rainbow trout were abundant, and the lake quickly earned a national reputation for producing trophy rainbow trout. By 1986, the G. pseudolimnaeus population had declined by approximately 90% and few rainbow trout larger than stocking size were present. This prompted an extensive 8-year study by MDC that led to regulation changes in 1997. These regulations have had a positive impact on both electrofishing and angler catch rates, as well as size structure of rainbow trout lakewide since they were implemented. At present day, 560,000 rainbow trout and 15,000 brown trout are stocked into the lake annually, making Lake Taneycomo Missouri's largest and most popular trout fishery. Additional work is currently being conducted to evaluate stockings of a new strain of brown trout into the lake, including triploid brown trout which resulted in two new state record brown trout being caught in 2019.
Speakers
SB

Shane Bush

Fisheries Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-05: Insights, Community Development, and Other Benefits of the Watershed Leaders Network
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Beth Baranski - Jo Daviess County, Illinois

ABSTRACT: Residents in the farthest northwest corner of Illinois are using shared learning combined with cooperative and voluntary problem solving to address local water resource management issues. A long-term, volunteer-based effort has been used to establish working relationships between individuals and entities impacting water resources in the county. The collaborative efforts between scientists, local non-profits and a farmer-led group have resulted in a project design that serves as a scalable model for addressing water resource management issues.

Jo Daviess County is located in the "Driftless Area." Bypassed by ice-age glaciers, the rugged landscape is characterized by erosional valleys that have been cut down through this karst terrain. In the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, agriculture is cited as the primary source of nutrients lost to the Mississippi River. The complex hydrogeology and steep slopes in this area make attempts to understand and address run-off and nutrient loss issues difficult. However, much work has been done to establish the character and function of the hydrogeology and to quantify the anthropomorphic impact on both surface and ground water quality.

Inspired and supported by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services Watershed Leaders Network/Fishers and Farmers Partnership, a farmer-led group was formed in the Galena area to work on water resource management issues. There has been a movement in the agricultural community to pursue the resolution of water quality issues, but it seems clear that the best conversations take place on this topic when "soil health" is the focus. The potential environmental benefits have increased dramatically, and improved dialogue has resulted in many unanticipated social benefits.
Speakers
BB

Beth Baranski

Jo Daviess County Soil & Water Health Coalition
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-06: Renovating Duck Creek CA: An Integrated Approach
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Frank Nelson, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: The wetlands in southeastern Missouri have a long history of alteration. Since the 1950’s, Duck Creek Conservation Area has been managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation to provide wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wetland dependent species within this altered landscape. Over time our philosophy of wetland management, the implications of infrastructure design, and the interaction of natural features has evolved. Based on a hydrogeomorphic assessment of the larger Mingo basin surrounding Duck Creek we identified the four following objectives to renovate the aging wetland management area: 1) restore natural water flow patterns where possible, 2) mimic natural water regimes, 3) restore natural vegetation communities, and 4) accommodate public uses that are consistent with resource objectives. A multi-disciplined team of biologists and engineers used a basin wide digital elevation model, aerial photos, and field observations to examine the landscape features and identify opportunities to restore wetland system processes to achieve these objectives. These steps have reduced several chronic management challenges, increased the wetland habitat diversity, and enhanced the wetland function of the area. Following construction, we've been able to document the responses of both aquatic and avian communities through the annual cycle and periods of flood connectivity. The collaborative approach and incorporation of system processes into the renovation have benefited Duck Creek Conservation Area.
Speakers
FN

Frank Nelson

Wetland Ecologist, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Addressing the Data Need to Manage Future Change in Fisheries
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Maddy Siller, South Dakota State University; David Coulter, South Dakota State University; Steven Chipps, U.S. Geological Survey; Mark Kaemingk, University of North Dakota; Taufique Mahmood, University of North Dakota; Matthew Maldonado, University of North Dakota; Michaela Neal, University of North Dakota; Ayon Saha, University of North Dakota; Alison Coulter, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Many studies have documented a corresponding shift in fish communities caused by a changing climate. This poses potential problems for managers in the Northern Glaciated Plains where fishing generates millions of dollars annually for local and state economies, and cool-water fish like Walleye are extremely popular. The Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework is a new tool for responding to environmental changes due to climate change in ecosystems where there are elevated levels of uncertainty and variability. The RAD framework allows managers to determine if it is most advantageous to a) Resist the change by working to maintain the current ecosystem, b) Accept the changing ecosystem, or c) Direct the change to shape the ecosystem into a new one that achieves the manager’s goals. For this tool to be used, relationships between current habitat characteristics and fish communities need to be determined. Potential changes in fish communities can then be assessed using predicted future environmental conditions due to climate change. Our objective was to classify North and South Dakota lake fish assemblages based on environmental conditions using a multivariant regression tree (MRT). To create this MRT, we examined current environmental conditions including surface area, fetch, shoreline development index, water temperature, watershed area, and watershed land use. Future research will incorporate predicted environmental change to examine shifts in fish communities. The results of this study could guide managers in determining a) which lakes may be most at risk for experiencing changing fish communities, b) which RAD strategy could be best suited for each lake, and c) identify which lakes could be prioritized for ecosystem management (e.g., species and location of fish stocking, habitat renovations) to maintain angler satisfaction.
Speakers
MS

Madalyn Siller

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Mille Lacs Lake Walleye: Changes in Body Condition Over Time in Relation to Biotic and Environmental Changes
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Levi Suchla, University of Minnesota; Lynn Waterhouse, University of Minnesota/U.S. Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Mille Lacs Lake is an economically, recreationally, and culturally significant fishery, with Walleye being one of the the main targets for anglers. Over the past 30+ years, numerous biotic and abiotic changes have occurred within the lake and have had an impact on the fishery. This project aims to explore what factors have had the biggest influence on the body condition of walleye, understand the impact of some aquatic invasive species that are present in the lake, and determine the trends and shifts in walleye body condition and growth over time in relation to changing conditions.
Speakers
LS

Levi Suchla

M.S. Graduate Research Assistant, University of Minnesota
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Using the Motus Wildlife Tracking System to fill knowledge gaps for priority Neotropical migratory birds in the Midwest and beyond
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Sarah W. Kendrick, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Nicholas J. Bayly, SELVA: Investigación para la Conservación en el Neotropico; Ernesto M. Carman, SELVA; María de la Paz Irola-Angulo, SELVA; Yuly Caideco-Ortiz, SELVA; Stuart Mackenzie, Birds Canada

ABSTRACT: Many migratory landbird species are in steep decline and research to co-produced research to identify limiting factors and address threats across the full annual cycle for targeted recovery remains vital. Funding conservation efforts and research is another challenge for many that requires thinking outside the box. Recent tracking projects across the Western Hemisphere with international bird-conservation partners have been crowdfunded by Missouri birding organizations. Funding support was matched by state and federal agencies to fill knowledge gaps for declining songbird species of conservation concern across the Midwest and eastern U.S., including Golden-winged Warbler and Wood Thrush. Motus-tracking projects have allowed for new data on migration timing and departure dates, migratory routes, and survival at different periods of the full annual cycle. The Range-wide Wood Thrush Motus-tracking Project has engaged over 60 partners across 25 U.S. states and 7 countries via state agencies and international partners, resulting in the largest Motus-tagging project to date across the species’ full annual range. By utilizing the Motus network and leveraging funding and collaboration through partner projects including non-traditional, or often overlooked, audiences, we can build a stronger study design, ownership of the work, greater probability of conservation actions using the findings, and sense of community across the hemisphere for our shared migratory birds.
Speakers
SK

Sarah Kendrick

Migratory Bird Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: When, where, and how prey pair antipredator behaviors to natural and anthropogenic mortality risks
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael E. Egan, Southern Illinois University; Abigail M. Weber, Southern Illinois University; Nicole T. Gorman, Southern Illinois University; Michael W. Eichholz, Southern Illinois University; Daniel Skinner, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Peter E. Schlichting, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; and Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Behavioral responses of prey to predation risk have ecological impacts that can be as great as the direct mortality mediated through behaviors including behavioral state changes and spatial avoidance. Theory suggests that prey choose between these behaviors by pairing responses to risks based on the hunting mode of the prey (hunting mode hypothesis), but prey may ignore hunting mode to prioritize responding to the most lethal predators (lethality hypothesis). Furthermore, prey may respond to the spatial distribution of these risks (risky places hypothesis) or respond only during the periods of highest risk (risky times hypothesis).We test these hypotheses using data from 40 female and 29 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and two mesopredators (coyotes, Canis latrans and bobcats, Lynx rufus) fitted with GPS collars and human sources of mortality (hunting, roads, human modification).We used hidden Markov models (HMM) to determine whether each covariate impacted the probability of transitioning between behavioral states and step selection functions (SSF) to determine whether deer spatially avoided each covariate. Additionally, we evaluated whether these patterns varied daily and seasonally. Generally, deer changed behavioral state in response to both mesopredators, consistently shifting to slower movement states, but avoided human modification. Spatial responses to human modification varied depending on the time of day. Deer selected for human modification during daylight hours but avoided human modification during the crepuscular and nighttime periods. Space use was most strongly related to more lethal humans, providing support for the lethality hypothesis. Despite prioritizing humans, mesopredators impacted deer behavioral state, suggesting that mesopredators still have important impacts on prey behavior. Finally, temporal patterns of avoidance align with other studies that indicate avoidance of predators is time-dependent while further highlighting the complex push-pull relationship of human modified areas on wildlife.
Speakers
ME

Michael Egan

Postdoctoral Researcher, Southern Illinois University
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-01: An Assessment of Avian and Vegetation Communities on Agricultural Conservation Easement Wetlands in Eastern South Dakota
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Katherine Millman, South Dakota State University, Department of Natural Resource Management; Mercedes Batalla, South Dakota State University, Department of Natural Resource Management; Steve R. Chipps, U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; Joshua D. Stafford, U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit

ABSTRACT: The USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) works with private landowners to conserve and restore wetlands to provide ecosystem services, including wildlife habitat. We selected 50 wetlands in southeastern South Dakota to survey and quantify avian and vegetation characteristics during 2023 and 2024. Of these sites, 30 were enrolled in ACEP, and the remainder were federal and state properties that served as minimally-disturbed comparative sites (n = 10), and sites heavily influenced by nearby agriculture (n = 10). At each site we sampled herbaceous vegetation, trees, and avifauna. Vegetation was sampled by measuring species richness and cover in 15 quadrats (1 m2) sampled across three vegetation zones (wet meadow, marsh, and open water). We recorded the number, species, and diameter at breast height (cm) of all tree species within 100 m of wetland bank-full boundaries. We used point counts to quantify avian abundance and diversity during four time periods, spring migration (mid-May), summer breeding season (June/July), fall migration (late-August/ mid-September), and winter (early October). Point counts included 3 10-minute surveys at each wetland, with points spaced ≥200 m apart. Vegetation diversity was generally low (e.g., species richness
Speakers
KM

Katherine Millman

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-02: Facilitated Discussion - Developing an Aquatic Connectivity Team: An example from the Missouri Stream Connectivity Partnership.
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Eric Rahm, Stream Biologist, Missouri Dept of Conservation

ABSTRACT: We will highlight the Missouri Stream Connectivity Partnership (MO SCP) and other conectivity teams throughout the Southeastern United States. We will share resourecs avaliable from American Rivers and the Southeast Aquatic Resource Partnership (SARP).
Speakers
ER

Eric Rahm

Missouri Department of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-03: CWD: Post-Season Targeted Removal Efforts are Worth the Work to Manage CWD
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Aaron Hildreth, Missouri Department of Conservation; Jason Isabelle, Missouri Department of Conservation; Deb Hudman, Missouri Department of Conservation; Sherri Russell, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Aggressive management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is critical to slow the spread of the disease and protect Missouri’s white-tailed deer population. Post-season targeted removal, while controversial with some members of the public and expensive in terms of staff and financial resources, is effective at slowing the spread of the disease.

From January 16 through March 15, after the close of the deer hunting season, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff work closely with cooperating landowners to remove additional deer within CWD Core Areas (Core). A Core includes the positive section/land grant along with a 2-section buffer.

Through the voluntary participation of landowners in Cores, 4,658 deer were removed across 33 Cores encompassing roughly 2,450 square miles in 2024. These efforts resulted in the removal of 51 CWD-positive deer and lowered deer density in these localized areas to slow the spread of CWD. Landowners removed nearly 1,600 (34%) of the total and MDC and USDA Wildlife Services staff removed the remainder. Starting in 2024, we established removal goals for each Core. The removal goal was met in 20 of the 33 Cores and at least 75% of the removal goal was met in 25 of the 33 Cores where targeted removal occurred in 2024.

A total of 572 free-ranging CWD positive deer have been detected in Missouri since 2012. Of those CWD positive deer, 213 (37%) have been removed during targeted removal while only accounting for 8% of the total deer sampled. MDC’s approach to aggressively manage CWD is intentional and is necessary to conserve Missouri’s deer and elk populations. This past year, over 80% of Missouri’s CWD positive counties had less than 1% of samples test positive. This low infection rate is a result of MDC working with landowners and partners to aggressively manage the disease through targeted removal.
Speakers
AH

Aaron Hildreth

Cervid Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-04: From Rod to Research and Resilience: How Anglers Enhance Fisheries Research and Management in Minnesota Waters of Lake Superior
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nick Peterson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Community science has proven to be a remarkable tool for fisheries research and management in Minnesota waters of Lake Superior. The Minnesota DNR initiated three cooperative research projects that utilize volunteer anglers to collect samples from economically and ecologically important salmonids (steelhead Rainbow Trout, Coaster Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and salmon) to better understand the genetics and feeding ecology of the Lake Superior fish community. Angler collected samples increased the number, as well as spatial and temporal extents, of tissues and diet items for analyses. This effort provided novel insights into population genetics and feeding habits of multiple species, with significantly less resources (time and monetary commitments) from the state. Public education and outreach from these projects strengthened relationships between Minnesota DNR and fisheries stakeholders and improved public support for proposed changes to Rainbow Trout hatchery production, stocking, and management in Minnesota waters of Lake Superior. I will explore the processes and partnerships essential for implementing these projects, the valuable insights gained from involving anglers, and the critical role these programs have played in enhancing the resilience of fisheries in Minnesota Waters of Lake Superior.
Speakers
NP

Nick Peterson

Fisheries Specialist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-05: Engaging Private Landowners through Conservation Marketing Shoal Creek Woodlands for Wildlife Case-History
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Rob Pulliam, The Nature Conservancy - Missouri

ABSTRACT: The goal of the presentation is to share with participants how our team used concepts from commercial and social marketing to create what we call Conservation Marketing. As a working definition, Conservation Marketing is a planning, communication, and implementation process designed to deliver value for targeted customers through conservation products and services they desire and trust that benefits the biological, habitat, and socio-economic needs of a community in priority landscapes. By using a facilitated Conservation Marketing planning process, Shoal Creek Woodlands for Wildlife (SCWW) representative landowners developed their vision and mission statements; identified and prioritized their natural resource issues; helped determine solutions to their issues; and ultimately approved their marketing action plan. To date, hundreds of Best-Management-Practices have been implemented by private landowners and millions of dollars have flowed into the SCWW geography. In 2022, SCWW was recognized by the National Fish Habitat Initiative as a “10 Waters to Watch”.
Speakers
RP

Rob Pulliam

Nature-Based Solutions Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy - Missouri
Monday January 20, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Assessing Habitat Quality Changes for Cool- and Warm-Water Fishes
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Maddy Siller, South Dakota State University; David Coulter, South Dakota State University; Kaden Ball, South Dakota State University; Mark Kaemink, University of North Dakota; Taufique Mahmood, University of North Dakota; Matthew Maldonado, University of North Dakota; Michaela Neal, University of North Dakota; Ayon Saha, University of North Dakota; Alison Coulter, South Dakota State UNiversity

ABSTRACT: It is known that temperature impacts fish growth and that the influences of temperature on growth depends on the thermal optima of a particular species. This means that the extent of climate change impacts on growth and, ultimately, body length and body weight may vary by species. Additionally, understanding how latitudinal temperature variation influences fish growth may inform planning and management decisions for the future. This is due to climate change potentially producing similar differences to what is already observed with latitudinal variation within species. A common method of assessing fish growth is with well-established bioenergetics equations. However, using bioenergetics equations requires knowledge on food availability. When potential food is unknown, scope for growth (max possible growth at a given temp) can be used to assess potential growth and compare across species, locations, and times. Our goal is to determine how habitat quality for multiple cool and warmwater fishes has changed historically (past 40 years) throughout their distribution. In order to do this, we will (1) quantify how scope for growth and therefore habitat quality has changed in the past 40 years for lakes within species’ ranges, (2) compare how habitat quality has changed across latitude, and (3) compare how habitat quality has changed across species with different thermal optimum temperatures for consumption. Understanding which species have already experienced changes in habitat quality can inform future management under climate change. Additionally, this will reveal what species may be the most resilient to warming temperatures and which may need more support/management.
Speakers
MS

Madalyn Siller

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Evaluating Data-limited Population Assessment Tools for Walleye
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Caleb J. Branam, Michigan State University; Holly S. Embke, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey; Chris L. Cahill, Michigan State University

ABSTRACT: A key challenge in inland fisheries is assessing numerous lakes across vast landscapes within an agency’s jurisdiction given limited resources. To reconcile this, a variety of data-limited methods have been developed to assess the status of inland fish populations. However, these tools often do not explicitly address the potential for population dynamics, or they make strong assumptions that a given population or stock is at equilibrium. Furthermore, these assessment tools are rarely simulation tested in inland fishery settings to determine their efficacy. Without knowing how these methods perform when confronted with simulated dynamics where truth is known, the effectiveness of such tools remains uncertain. Our objective was to evaluate how commonly used assessment methods for Walleye Sander vitreus performed when tested against simulated data. To achieve this, we developed an age-structured simulation model for Walleye and then evaluated the performance of the following commonly used assessment methods: mark-recapture, catch per unit effort as an index of relative abundance, size-structure indices as an index for population status, and production-based dynamics as an index of population status. This presentation will lay out the research plan for our study, present initial results for at least one assessment method, and touch briefly on the implications of potential results.
Speakers
CB

Caleb Branam

Graduate Research Assistant, Michigan State University
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Creating a state-space model to assess the population status of fishers (Pekania pennanti) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula)
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Justin J. Remmers, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Sarah Mayhew, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Kirk Stodola, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Maximilian L. Allen, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: Furbearer management plans often rely on population models to estimate the abundance and demographic trends of managed species. Fishers (Pekania pennanti), a medium-sized carnivore distributed across Canada and the northern United States, experienced population declines, extirpations, and range contractions in the early 1900s due to habitat loss, predator control, and overharvest by trappers. After being granted legal protections, fisher populations have expanded and recolonized parts of their historic range, enabling some states to allow limited harvest of the species. In particular, Michigan has had limited harvest of fishers in the Upper Peninsula for 30 years; however, the current abundance of fishers is unknown. To address this, we are developing a state-space model using age-at-harvest data to assess the current population status of fishers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (93,600 km2). We are investigating the influence of different sex- and age-specific life history traits (i.e., harvest season survival, non-harvest season, mean litter size) to determine how these traits affect the overall population size and where effort should be placed to increase precision of estimates. This work will be useful in predicting population changes and informing future harvest management of fishers. Based on preliminary analysis of current age-at-harvest data, juvenile fishers appear to be more susceptible to harvest and exhibit lower annual survival rates compared to adults. Given that female fishers undergo delayed implantation and will not give birth until their second year, high levels of juvenile and yearling harvest may be more impactful on fisher demographics, especially when compared to other furbearing species.
Speakers
JR

Justin Remmers

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Illinois Natural History Survey
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Expansion of Motus in Missouri and the Midwest: examples of local and large scale Motus tracking
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kristen M. Heath-Acre, Sarah W. Kendrick, Nicholas J. Bayly

ABSTRACT: The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international, collaborative network of automated telemetry towers that help track the movements of wildlife for conservation research. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) established its first Motus receiver in 2018; since then, MDC has expanded its network to 40 stations across the state and plans to grow further. The initial goal was to create “digital fences” statewide to capture large scale movements of tagged migratory birds to fill knowledge gaps in the full annual cycles of birds of conservation concern. In the past 5 years, the Missouri Motus Network has detected 48 species of birds and has become a leader for Motus in the Midwest and the Mississippi Flyway. The Missouri Department of Conservation has also established partnerships with state, federal, and non-governmental agencies as well as international partners to tag, track, and investigate the survival, movements, migration timing, and stopover habitat of several species of migratory birds that breed or migrate through Missouri annually, including the rapidly declining Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea). Investigation into Cerulean Warbler winter survival and habitat use has revealed that Cerulean Warblers make within season winter movements, have differing habitat preference between males and females, and have relatively high overwinter survival. These data can be used to direct further research and inform full life cycle models. In addition to monitoring movements at regional and hemispheric scales, MDC has leveraged the Motus network to track and analyze local movements and survival of a reintroduced population of Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) in the Missouri Ozark Highlands. Results from these analyses can help conservation partners better target management actions to protect and reverse declines of at-risk species at both local and hemispheric scales.
Speakers
KH

Kristen Heath-Acre

State Ornithologist, Missouri Deparment of Conservation
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-01: Owl and Nightjar Monitoring in Iowa
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Anna Buckardt Thomas, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Riggs Wilson, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Current state-wide bird monitoring programs in Iowa focus on diurnal species, and many data gaps exist in our understanding of nocturnal birds. Five owls and three nightjars are considered Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the state's Wildlife Action Plan, making the group a priority for monitoring and targeted habitat management. Since 2016, Iowa DNR staff have surveyed four nocturnal MOON (Monitoring Of Owls and Nightjars) routes twice each breeding season. This data collection has been in coordination with a similar citizen-science monitoring effort in Illinois, led by the Illinois Natural History Survey . That Iowa dataset is now reaching an age where it may soon be possible to detect changes in species population trends, but the data is geographically limited, and likely does not represent state-wide trends for these species. Over this time, high annual variation has been apparent for nightjars, with as few as 3 and as many as 21 Chuck-will's-widows detected on a single route, and as few as 53 and as many as 146 individuals detected in a given year across all four routes, for example. The number of owl detections however, have been much more consistent through time. In an effort to learn more about these nocturnal species on a state-wide scale, we increased monitoring efforts in 2024 to include14 routes within our Bird Conservation Areas (BCAs), and will continue to add routes again in 2025, with a goals of conducting MOON surveys all 23 of our BCAs. Our current information sets a base line for nocturnal bird populations in Iowa and has the potential to link species occupancy and abundance to habitat characteristics and management strategies into the future. The goal of this monitoring is to inform management of our BCAs to help maintain and increase populations of these declining species.
Speakers
AB

Anna Buckardt Thomas

Avian Ecologist, Iowa Department Of Natural Resources
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-03: CWD: Facilitated Discussion
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT:
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-04: Community ecology in a bottle: Leveraging eDNA metabarcoding data to predict occupancy of co-occurring salmonids and gill lice ectoparasites
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Sasha Tetzlaff, US Army ERDC-CERL; Aron Katz, US Army ERDC-CERL; Mark Johnson, US Army ERDC-CERL; Jinelle Sperry, US Army ERDC-CERL

ABSTRACT: Detecting environmental DNA (eDNA) of numerous organisms from the same samples has been revolutionized by metabarcoding. However, utilizing the vast amounts of data generated from metabarcoding to predict occupancy probabilities for co-occurring salmonids and their parasites is currently rare. Using established vertebrate and invert metabarcoding assays on replicate stream water samples collected on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, we assessed ecological correlates of occurrence for eDNA of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), its major ectoparasite (gill lice, Salmincola edwardsii), and non-native brown trout (Salmo trutta). Gill lice DNA occupancy was positively associated with brook trout biomass determined via electrofishing conducted near eDNA sampling sites, suggesting gill lice occupancy is dependent on host density. Leveraging site-specific molecular operational taxonomic units identified from metabarcoding, DNA occupancy of trout and gill lice was often positively predicted by species richness of aquatic insect orders trout commonly feed on, which are also environmental quality indicators. Thus, high-quality habitats that environmentally sensitive salmonids and their primary prey rely on may promote higher fish occupancy rates, further facilitating the spread of fish parasites. We suggest our methodological framework could be broadly implemented to enhance understanding of factors impacting distributions of co-occurring salmonids and their parasites to support management and conservation efforts.
Speakers
ST

Sasha Tetzlaff

Research Biologist, US Army ERDC-CERL
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-05: The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Aquatic Life Monitoring Project in the Illinois River and Kaskaskia River basins, Illinois
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Sarah Molinaro, Illinois Natural History Survey at University of Illinois;
Kristen Ragusa, Illinois Natural History Survey at University of Illinois;
William Nixon, Illinois Natural History Survey at University of Illinois;
Yong Cao, Illinois Natural History Survey at University of Illinois

ABSTRACT: The Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a partnership between the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA), Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) that aims to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff, improve water quality, and create and enhance critical habitat for fish and wildlife populations on private lands in the Illinois River and Kaskaskia River basins. In exchange for voluntarily removing frequently flooded and environmentally sensitive cropland from production, landowners receive compensation to implement conservation practices that support the goals of CREP. Since CREP was established in the Illinois River (1998) and Kaskaskia River (2010) basins, 1,324 parcels totaling 90,000 acres have been enrolled into conservation practices. Biennially, the CREP Aquatic Life Monitoring Project conducts wadeable stream surveys at fixed stream sites to monitor progress towards CREP’s aquatic life goal and evaluate how CREP affects stream habitat, fish communities, and benthic macroinvertebrate communities. In this talk, I will present a summary of conservation practices implemented by CREP and initial CREP Aquatic Life Monitoring Project results. I will also discuss next steps for the CREP Aquatic Life Monitoring Project and lessons learned working with private landowners.
Speakers
SM

Sarah Molinaro

Assistant Research Scientist, Illinois Natural History Survey at University of Illinois
Monday January 20, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

5:00pm CST

S-05: The Nature Conservancy at Dog Tooth Bend
Monday January 20, 2025 5:00pm - 5:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tharran Hobson, The Nature Conservancy; Shelly Morris, The Nature Conservancy

ABSTRACT: The Nature Conservancy with partners began exploring options for landowners in the 17,000 acre floodplain site known locally as Dog Tooth Bend on the Mississippi River in Illinois. Increased flooding in the area has made agriculture almost impossible and changed the landscape. With partners TNC is implementing restoration measures as natural infrastructure to mitigate flood impacts locally and beyond.
Speakers
TH

Tharran Hobson

Southern Illinois Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
Monday January 20, 2025 5:00pm - 5:20pm CST
TBA

5:00pm CST

Introduced and Invasive Species Technical Committee Information and Interest Meeting
Monday January 20, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm CST
Speakers
LZ

Logan Zebro

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Monday January 20, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm CST

5:30pm CST

Michigan State University Fisheries and Wildlife Alumni and Friends Social
Monday January 20, 2025 5:30pm - 7:30pm CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 5:30pm - 7:30pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

Offsite Dinner and Social
Monday January 20, 2025 6:00pm - 9:00pm CST
TBA
Monday January 20, 2025 6:00pm - 9:00pm CST
TBA
 
Tuesday, January 21
 

7:00am CST

Continental Breakast with Exhibitors
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 8:30am CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 8:30am CST
TBA

7:00am CST

Speaker Ready Room Open
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA

7:00am CST

Conference Registration Desk Open
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 6:00pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 6:00pm CST
TBA

8:00am CST

Plenary Session 2
Tuesday January 21, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am CST
TBA

10:05am CST

Coffee Break
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:05am - 10:20am CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:05am - 10:20am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

Fisheries Track: Apples and Oranges? Using radio and acoustic telemetry to evaluate restoration success.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Seth J. Fopma, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Suitable overwintering habitat is considered to be a limiting factor for Centrarchids in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Lock and dam construction in the 1930’s greatly increased total aquatic area of the UMR and provided deep backwater areas favorable to Centrarchid populations; however, sediment deposition has reduced the quantity and quality of deep water habitats presumably limiting overwinter survival. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program (UMRR) initiated a Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project (HREP) project on Pool 12 of the UMR in 2013. Project objectives included the development of approximately 63 acres of suitable overwintering habitat in four backwater lakes found throughout Pool 12 where insufficient overwintering habitat was thought to limit Centrarchid survival. Habitat restoration in Tippy Lake occurred during 2017 with the goal of increasing the availability of habitat suitable for overwinter survival. Pre-project telemetry efforts utilized radio telemetry during the winter of 2014-2015 to estimate habitat utilization distribution of crappie (n = 50). Telemetry efforts resumed during the winter of 2023/2024 to assess crappie habitat utilization post-project. Relatively recent advances in acoustic telemetry technologies offered researchers the opportunity to compare telemetry methods during the post-project evaluation. Radio (n = 20) and acoustic (n = 20) tags were implanted into crappie November 15-16, 2023 and fish were tracked through the first week of June 2024. Habitat utilization distributions pre and post-project were similar when evaluated using data generated from radio telemetry efforts but differed from estimates calculated using acoustic telemetry data.
Speakers
SF

Seth Fopma

Natural Resource Technician, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

Fisheries Track: Determination and Comparison of Morphometrics and Meristics Used to Identify River and Shorthead Redhorse
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Devon C. Oliver, MNDNR; Loren Miller, MNDNR; Anthony Sindt, MNDNR; Cristian Hernandez, University of Minnesota

ABSTRACT: Redhorse species face a diverse array of impacts and conservation issues but often remain overlooked relative to their sportfish counterparts. Furthermore, they often lack constituency groups that advocate for their conservation. River Redhorse is a member of the Catostomidae family that have experienced reductions in abundance and range over the last century and are listed as critically imperiled in Kansas, New York, Louisiana, and Florida, imperiled in Wisconsin, Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina, and vulnerable in Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Georgia; additionally, they are listed as a species of special concern in Canada. Furthermore, like many potentially imperiled or vulnerable catostomid species, River Redhorse suffers from a paucity of demographic and life history information. Additionally, for River Redhorse, there is some ambiguity as to which morphological characteristics should be used to positively identify them relative to Shorthead and Greater Redhorse, which must be addressed first. Morphometrics and meristics used to determine species id can be highly variable, require harvest of the specimen, subjective, or are inconsistent in their determination across metrics both within and across different source material. To address this knowledge gap and to provide clarity in species identification for biologists and conservation hobbyists this study, 1) evaluated and compared morphometrics and meristics used to positively identify River Redhorse relative to Shorthead and Greater Redhorse, 2) determined useful morphometrics and meristics for identification of the three redhorse species within Minnesota based on genetically confirmed specimens.
Speakers
DO

Devon Oliver

Fisheries Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

Wildlife Track: Influence of Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Abundance on Prevalence of Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) in Northern Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ashley G. McDonald, Southern Illinois University; Jennifer R. Schultze, Southern Illinois University; Clayton K. Nielsen, Southern Illinois University; F. Agustin Jimenez, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Zoonoses are attributed to approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases. Contraction of zoonotic infections is linked to urbanization, as land development increases the probability of human interaction with wildlife. Omnivorous animals such as raccoons thrive in urban settings due to the abundance of anthropogenic resources such as food and shelter. Racoons are the definitive host of zoonotic pathogens, including the heteroxenous raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis); raccoon synanthropic habits bring these pathogens near human dwellings. The goal of this study is to assess the influence of raccoon abundance on the prevalence of raccoon roundworm in 5 study areas in northern Illinois representing a rural-urban gradient. Raccoons (n=287) were captured and removed from sites by collaborators during April-June 2022-2024. Upon necropsy, intestinal tracts were examined to determine raccoon roundworm prevalence. Capture per unit effort (CPUE), a measure of wildlife population abundance, was calculated as the number of raccoons captured per 100 nights of capture effort at each site. A logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between raccoon abundance and raccoon roundworm prevalence. Raccoon roundworm prevalence decreased with increased raccoon abundance (X2=4.37, P=0.036). Counterintuitively, our findings suggest that disease risk decreases with increasing raccoon abundance, which implies that population reduction of raccoons in areas of high abundance might be an ineffective tool to reduce the risk of roundworm infection to the human population. Land-use can also impact parasite prevalence, as the availability of anthropogenic resources can influence raccoon population dynamics. Future analyses examining the relationship between land-use, raccoon roundworm prevalence, and raccoon abundance might provide a better understanding of the influence of population demographics on raccoon roundworm prevalence.
Speakers
AM

Ashley McDonald

PhD Candidate/Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

Wildlife Track: Response of White-tailed Deer Movement to Exurban Mountain Bike Trails
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tadao Kishimoto, Southern Illinois University; Michael Egan, Southern Illinois University; Michael Eichholz, Southern Illinois University; Peter Schlichting, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Daniel Skinner, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Human activity can impact wildlife behavior by altering habitat conditions, increasing stress or predation risk, and disrupting natural patterns of movement, foraging, and reproduction. We investigated the impact of non-consumptive recreational activities, specifically mountain biking, on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) space-use in an exurban forest setting in southern Illinois. Using GPS collar data from 37 individual deer collected before and after trail installation, we assessed whether newly introduced mountain bike trails altered key movement metrics: home range size, core area size, and speed.
Home range and core area sizes were estimated using autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDE), and scale-insensitive speed estimates were calculated using a continuous-time speed and distance (CTSD) method. Home range size, core area size, and speed estimates were fit to linear mixed-effects models with sex as a covariate and individuals as random intercepts. We found no significant change in home range or core area size following trail installation. We found significant changes in speed for both males and females after trail installation, however, changes were independent of their overlap status with the trails, suggesting the changes were not due to trail installation.
These findings contrast with existing literature suggesting human disturbance typically affects wildlife movement. The low frequency of recreational activity and partial habituation to humans may explain the lack of significant behavioral change. This study demonstrates the value of long-term monitoring and underscores the need for further research in areas with heavier recreational use to inform management practices that mitigate the impact of outdoor recreation on wildlife populations.
Speakers
TK

Tadao Kishimoto

Researcher 1, SIUC - Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-04: Salmonid diets in Minnesota streams with waterfalls, nuisance algae, and extreme hydrology
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Heidi M. Rantala, MN Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research; Nick Peterson, MN Department of Natural Resources, Lake Superior Fisheries; David R. Burge, St. Croix Watershed Research Station, Science Museum of Minnesota

ABSTRACT: Minnesota tributaries to Lake Superior are unique systems with glacial relict fish communities, including Brook Trout (BKT). Fish habitat in these streams is vulnerable to change, given the sensitivity of the systems. With limited groundwater inputs, hydrology is driven by precipitation and snow melt, and the streams lack buffering capacity to warming temperatures. Stream conditions are favorable to the mat-forming diatom, Didymosphenia geminata, which was detected in multiple of the northern-most streams along the Minnesota shoreline since 2018. Here, we present analyses of diets from BKT, naturalized Rainbow Trout, and several other fish species in four North Shore streams from three seasons in 2023. Fish diets were sampled from resident and migratory individuals, both young-of-year and older fish, from above (BKT only) and below natural barriers between Lake Superior and upland waters. Additionally, two of the four streams had prolific, localized Didymosphenia mats during the sampling period. As expected, we observed spatial and temporal variability in the both the diet items and amount of prey through the sampling season, as well along a stream reach. These data provide baseline information for managers to increase understanding of the ecology and status of these populations in Minnesota waters.
Speakers
HR

Heidi Rantala

Research Scientist, Minnesota DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-07:Cooperative Inter-Agency Management of Invasive Carps in the United States
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Greg Conover, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MICRA Coordinator

ABSTRACT: The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force approved the national Management and Control Plan for Bighead, Black, Grass, and Silver Carps in the United States (National Plan) for implementation in 2007. The Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC), a partnership of state, provincial, and U.S. and Canadian federal agencies and other stakeholders, has coordinated the development and implementation of an annual Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework (now called an Invasive Carp Action Plan) to prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive carp populations in the Great Lakes since 2010. Many of these projects are implemented in the uppermost 175 miles of the Illinois River and the Chicago Area Waterway System. In 2014, the United States Congress charged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to work in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Director of the National Park Service, and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey to lead a multiagency effort to slow, and eventually eliminate, the spread of invasive carp in the Ohio River Sub-Basin and the Upper Mississippi River Sub-Basin. In FY20, this Congressional direction was substantially expanded to be inclusive of the entire Mississippi River Basin. The USFWS works closely with the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) to facilitate collaborative implementation of the National Plan in the Mississippi River Basin. The MICRA member agencies and their federal partners formed sub-basin invasive carp partnerships to develop and implement Invasive Carp Control Strategy Frameworks to step-down implementation of the National Plan in the Lower Mississippi River Sub-Basin (including Arkansas-Red-White Sub-Basin), Missouri River Sub-Basin, Ohio River Sub-Basin (including Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers Sub-Basin), and the Upper Mississippi River Sub-Basin. The sub-basin invasive carp partnerships provide for collaborative implementation of the regional Frameworks throughout the Mississippi River Basin.
Speakers
GC

Greg Conover

MICRA CoordinatornLarge Rivers Coordination Office, USFWS
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-08: Welcome to the MidwestPARC Symposium
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Melissa B Youngquist, John G. Shedd Aquarium

ABSTRACT: This opening talk will welcome attendees to the Midwest PARC symposium and provide an overview of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and the midwestern regional group, Midwest PARC.
Speakers
MY

Melissa Youngquist

Research Biologist, Shedd Aquarium
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-09: Welcome, overview of the MAFWA CSS/HD group
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT:
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-10: Shifting Perspectives: The Role of Aquatic Plants in the Future of Fisheries and Angling
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Steven Bardin, Pro Lake Management/ Major League Fishing

ABSTRACT: Aquatic plant management is no longer exclusively targeted at reactive control. Instead, aquatic plants are considered beneficial habitats impacting the survival, recruitment, foraging success, and growth of fishes while sequestering excess nutrients. These emerging techniques are supported by anglers and strengthened with technological advances.
Speakers
SB

Steven Bardin

Fisheries Biologist, Pro Lake Management LLC/ Major League Fishing
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-11: Evaluating the Slenderwrist Burrowing Crayfish, Fallicambarus petilicarpus, for Endangered Species Act listing
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Caitlin Bloomer, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Joel Corush, Illinois Natural History Survey; Mark Davis, Illinois Natural History Survey; Maxwell Hartman, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

ABSTRACT: The Slenderwrist Burrowing Crayfish, Fallicambarus petilicarpus, is a short-range endemic restricted to the Ouachita River drainage in south-central Arkansas and northern Louisiana. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently evaluating this species for listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Since 2021, teams of inter-agency biologists have been collecting data on this species to inform the listing decision. We used species distribution modeling to identify habitat associations and estimate the total available habitat within the known range of this species. We used Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to establish effective population size and estimate genetic differentiation between populations. Here we will present an overview of our data collection and how our results support the listing of this species under the ESA. We will also highlight the major data gaps that still exist and how we plan to address them through future field studies.
Speakers
avatar for Caitlin Bloomer

Caitlin Bloomer

Teaching Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-12: Not Just Ducks...Reframing Wetland Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Frank Nelson, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and climate change are inherently connected challenges. These threats and their potential solutions have both global and local significance. For example, wetlands, which are one of the most productive and biodiverse habitats, have been drastically reduced worldwide. This same food system that has contributed to wetland loss is itself quite fragile, as 75% of global food is dependent on only 12 crops and five animals. Without natural buffers, like wetlands, commodities within floodplains are at risk of natural hazards as the frequency and severity of droughts and floods are increasing worldwide. Finding solutions that are more resilient requires greater integration of social and ecological systems.

Zooming into the Midwest, the states like Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, have similarly lost the majority of their historic wetlands through agricultural conversion and urban development. The focal point to preserve what is left and make strides in wetland restoration for the past 90 years has been centered around concern for waterfowl populations and the tradition of hunting. Although progress has been made, this focus isn’t enough to offset on-going alterations, continuing pressures, and remaining separation of land and water.

Native wetland flora and fauna have deep cultural histories around the world and even here in the Midwest. Future wetland conservation cannot just occur in remote public places but must also be integrated into lived spaces. What if rather than just providing wildlife habitat, wetland management encapsulated the tending of water gardens? Perhaps by reframing our connections to wetlands, acknowledging overlooked histories, and including underserved communities we can identify new opportunities where diverse food systems, flood resiliency, and biodiversity can be better intertwined int the future. This presentation will introduce the idea of viewing wetlands as working water gardens rather than just marshes for waterfowl.
Speakers
FN

Frank Nelson

Wetland Ecologist, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

Initial Meeting: Bottomland Forests for Birds Manual (Invitation Only)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 12:00pm CST
Speakers
TH

Tara Hohman

Conservation Science Manager, Audubon Upper Mississippi River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 12:00pm CST

10:40am CST

Fisheries Track: Enhancing the science of age estimation: the creation of fishage.org
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mark Pegg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Victoria Davis, University of Georgia; Martin Hamel, University of Georgia; Dave Buckmeier (retired), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ; and Jeff Koch, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: Accurate determination of fish age from hard structures is a cornerstone of informing fisheries conservation and management. Further, the need to validate age estimates from calcified structures is commonly identified by scientists faced with the task of age estimation. Appeals for ensuring accuracy of age estimates have been pervasive in recent times, but unfortunately, natural resource agencies charged with managing stocks do not possess resources to build large collections of structures from known-age fish. To circumvent these challenges, we set out to develop a publicly available, web-based repository of digital images of known-age reference structures for North American freshwater fishes. In spring of 2023, we began collecting reference structures (e.g., otoliths, spines, fin rays, etc.) containing annual or daily age confirmation. At website launch (August 2024), calcified structures of known-age fish have been processed and imaged for five freshwater species: Largemouth Bass, American Shad, Muskellunge, Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, and Lake Sturgeon with over 500 images available for public reference. Images have been uploaded onto our new website, www.fishage.org, and will continuously be updated to include additional species, featuring metadata (e.g., source of structure, preparation method), multiple age classes and geographical data. metadata (e.g., source of structure, preparation method) and new structures.  We envision this application being used for training new personnel, quality control, and to advance the science of age estimation.
Speakers
MP

Mark Pegg

Professer, University of Nebraska
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

Fisheries Track: Using GPS and Side Scan Sonar Data to Track Yearly Electrofishing Path Variation and Fish Community Assemblages
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Drew Holloway, Muncie Bureau of Water Quality

ABSTRACT: Technology and standardization in electrofishing has come a long way over the years. For this presentation I will be using two of these technologies to help guide future sampling efforts for the Bureau of Water Quality in Muncie, IN. In 2022, we purchased the Smith-Root Apex electrofishing box to replace our outdated and heavily bandaged GPP Electofisher. Now, our historical monitoring stations could be GPS tracked and digitally recorded allowing us to see how yearly variation could affect our electrofishing results. Having previously recorded Side Scan Sonar (SSS) for these same historical sites it gave us the opportunity to not only see if habitats sampled are representative to the species found at each site but if a change in path also changed our fish community diversity. Three years of single pass electrofishing data will be presented from 10 randomly selected West Fork White River sites. The associated habitats will be represented based on SSS categories from previous works done by the Bureau of Water Quality.
Speakers
avatar for Drew Holloway

Drew Holloway

Fisheries Biologist, Bureau of Water Quality
The North Central Division of The American Fisheries Society is comprised of 13 chapters representing 16 states and provinces. The mission of Divisions within the American Fisheries Society is to advance Society goals by coordinating and complementing Chapter activities related to... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

Wildlife Track: Temporal Dynamics and Potential Niche Separation Amongst Carnivores: A Decadal Analysis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Max R. Larreur, Southern Illinois University; Clayton K. Nielsen, Southern Illinois University; Damon B. Lesmeister, USDA Forest Service, Oregon State University; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Broad ecological changes can alter species' temporal activity, thereby impacting interspecific interactions. Temporal niche separation promotes coexistence, causing species to adjust activity patterns to avoid direct competition. Although studying carnivore species offers a unique perspective into the stability of their temporal activity and niche, few analyses have been conducted over long-term periods in areas experiencing conspecific population changes. We quantified species-specific and pairwise temporal activity patterns, using kernel density analysis overlap, for 6 native (i.e., bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, striped skunk, and raccoon) and 2 non-native (i.e., domestic dog and cat) carnivore species along with their diel niche between decades. We used camera trap data collected January – April 2008 – 2010 (n = 1,118 camera locations) and January – April 2022 – 2024 (n = 1,325 camera locations) across 16,058-km2 of southern Illinois to identify potential changes in temporal overlap or niche separation between decades. Species-specific activity overlap was high (range = 0.81 - 0.95) between decades, however, activity patterns of striped skunk, raccoon, and domestic dogs were different. Both past and contemporary pairwise comparisons had 6 activity patterns indicating potential avoidance between larger-bodied and smaller-bodied guild members, and 7 activity patterns indicating potential avoidance between native and non-native carnivore species. However, 7 novel pairwise activity patterns have experienced significant changes from the past, 3 between natives and 4 between natives and non-natives. The diel niche of bobcat, gray fox, red fox, and striped skunk indicated minor changes in their diel activity potentially in response to larger-bodied coyote and domestic dog spatial presence throughout the study area. Larger-bodied carnivore species may be altering activity patterns of smaller-bodied members, thereby decreasing competition and negative interspecific interactions. Our results emphasize the importance of considering alterations to activity overlap and potential niche separation amongst carnivores with high resource overlap and propensity for interspecific interactions.
Speakers
ML

Max Larreur

PhD Student, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

Wildlife Track: The power of bats: evaluating protected bats during energy project planning
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brittany R. Schweiger, HDR Engineering, Inc

ABSTRACT: Four of the seven federally listed bat species in the U.S. occur in the north-central region, and two of the remaining seven are being evaluated for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Regulations at the state and federal level often require consultation to assess the impacts to these species before development occurs. In the energy sector, development is rapidly occurring—from power line upgrades to utility-scale solar. In the U.S., there are over 15,000 miles of power lines throughout the country and, in 2023, solar accounted for 55 percent of new electricity-generation capacity. The electric grid infrastructure is aging and, as the population grows and the demand for reliable, clean energy increases, upgrades to transmission systems and additions of utility-scale solar generation are needed. While energy is essential to society, it can have impacts to protected bat species, including the removal of habitat. Therefore, energy projects must understand how bats can influence projects and how to evaluate impacts to bats as a result of construction activities accurately and appropriately during the planning phase. This presentation will highlight species threats, current regulations, the latest species survey guidelines, issues encountered, conservation measures, approaches toward impact minimization, and lessons learned with respect to solar and energy development in many areas of the north-central region. This presentation will be valuable for developers, consultants, regulators, and those interested in the intersection of energy projects and protected species.
Speakers
BS

Brittany Schweiger

Environmental Scientist, HDR Engineering, Inc.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

S-04: Evaluating Lake-Run Brown Trout in Saginaw Bay Using Acoustic Telemetry
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: April Simmons, MI Department of Natural Resources; Jeffery Jolley, MI Department of Natural Resources; Christopher Vandergoot, Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

ABSTRACT: Angler reports have indicated a recent increase in lake-run Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) catches in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. This observation has garnered interest because Lake Huron stocking efforts ended in 2011 due to poor recruitment, but stocking has been maintained in some upstream tributary reaches. Genetic analysis of lake-run fish suggest fish observed in Saginaw Bay likely originated from ongoing stockings in the Rifle River. We will present the May 2024 pilot study phase results of an acoustic telemetry study scheduled to begin in spring 2025. The study aims to identify the source, strain, and migration patterns of lake-run Brown Trout, as well as assess their growth. This research may provide insights into future Brown Trout management strategies in the Great Lakes to benefit both river and lake anglers.
Speakers
AS

April Simmons

Fisheries Management Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

S-07: Developing a framework to inform early detection efforts of the next carp invasion in the Missouri River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brielle Thompson, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri;
Mike Colvin, US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center;
Craig Paukert, US Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit;
Sara Reynolds, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri

ABSTRACT: Numerous species of invasive carp are currently established in the Missouri River Basin, causing natural resource managers to grapple with complex decisions involving how to best monitor and manage invasions. A new invasive carp species, the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), is established in the Canadian Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in waterways that provide a potential invasion pathway to the Missouri River. Prussian carp are a concern because they spread rapidly, reproduce asexually, and compete with native fish species for food and habitat. Given the risk of invasion into the Missouri River, US natural resource managers will likely need to develop early detection programs. A framework to track the Prussian carp distribution and project the spread of Prussian carp in Canadian waters is needed to inform allocation of early detection efforts in the US. We developed a dynamic multistate occupancy model that can use data from varying sources to estimate the annual distribution. The model also accounts for hydrologic and other connections among management units to project Prussian carp spread. We evaluated alternative spatial-temporal early detection plans with varying data stream combinations, including anticipated monitoring data such as eDNA data, detection/non-detection data, and presence only data. We compared alternative monitoring plans across varying levels of monitoring effort (i.e., the number of riverine management units monitored, and the types and combinations of data collected) to rank alternative Prussian carp monitoring plans. The modeling framework we developed can be applied to a variety of aquatic invasive species to inform distribution, evaluate monitoring programs within invaded areas, project spread, and inform the development of early detection programs.
Speakers
BT

Brielle Thompson

Postdoc fellow, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

S-08: Conservation of Missouri’s State Endangered Amphibian and Reptile Species
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jeffrey T. Briggler, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Missouri is home for 117 native species of amphibians and reptiles with 33 considered species of conservation concern. Six species of conservation concern (i.e., Hellbenders, Western Chicken Turtles, Blanding’s Turtles, Yellow Mud Turtles, Mississippi Green Watersnakes, and Massasaugas) are listed as state endangered. These species occur in a variety of habitats (e.g., upland and bottomland grasslands, Ozark Highlands rivers and streams, bottomland, forested swamps, etc.). Most of these species have declined due to loss of terrestrial and wetland habitats throughout Missouri. Considerable effort has been devoted to the management and recovery of many of these species for decades. An overview of their status and conservation efforts will be presented with other interesting highlights.
Speakers
JB

Jeff Briggler

State Herpetologist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

S-09: Engaging Non-traditional Audiences Through Relevancy Messaging (Formal Title: AFWA Relevancy Communication Toolkit Update)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Matt Harlow, DJ Case & Associates; Holly Mauslein, DJ Case & Associates; Tanna Wagner, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: A lot of effort has been put into making state fish and wildlife agencies more relevant to broader audiences. To this end, AFWA’s Education, Outreach and Diversity Committee created the National Conservation Outreach Strategy in 2018. This strategy provided a toolkit that enabled each state fish and wildlife agency to increase awareness of its role in protecting and conserving wildlife. In 2019, the “Making It Last” campaign was pilot-tested to help learn how to best “tell the state story” to boost relevancy with the public, followed by a second phase to fine-tune and further test the initiative. However, states’ limited budgets and uncertainty regarding the campaign’s effectiveness reduced the number of states able to implement and evaluate the campaign. With the relevancy topic becoming more critical every year, the need existed to field a rebranded and tested campaign accompanied by improved toolkit materials and evaluations.
With four participating state agencies from Kansas, Vermont, South Carolina, and California, this project advances the public case for why fish and wildlife agencies matter across the nation. This third phase focused on engaging more states by rebranding away from the “Making It Last” theme to a more directly relevant brand and messaging content. These new resources were developed using public testing via focus groups, best practices, and lessons learned in previous phases of this campaign. We focused on updating and upgrading the story of state-based conservation through messaging and materials designed to resonate better with the public and agency staff.
The result is a campaign that more state agencies can utilize to increase public awareness and support, especially among audiences not traditionally engaged in conservation or fish and wildlife-based recreation.
Speakers
HH

Hiroto Hayashi

Engagement Strategist/Project Manager, DJ Case & Associates
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

S-10: Aquatic Vegetation Management Challenges and Opportunities
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nate Long, Aquatic Control

ABSTRACT: Aquatic vegetation management challenges and opportunities and how we move forward. An overview of tools (herbicide) available for aquatic plant management to resource managers stressing the need for management in systems with an overabundance of plants. A look into challenges facing resource managers when deciding to manage either native or non native aquatic plants for fish populations. Lastly, what opportunities aquatic plant management can provide a fishery.
Speakers
NL

Nate Long

Executive Vice President, Aquatic Control, Inc.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

S-11: Insights from Multi-locus DNA Sequence Data into Species Boundaries within Hobbseus Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridae)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Patrick F. Allison Jr., University of Mississippi;
Corey G. Dunn, U.S. Geological Survey, North Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; North Carolina State University;
Susan B. Adams, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research;
Jesse W. Breinholt, LGC RAPiD Genomics;
Kenneth A. Sterling, USDA Forest Service;
Devin M. Raburn, North Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; North Carolina State University;
Zanethia C. Barnett, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research;
Ryan C. Garrick, University of Mississippi

ABSTRACT: Recent advancements in morphological data collection and molecular phylogenetics have resulted in numerous updates to crayfish taxonomy. However, there are still problematic taxa among these decapods. The genus Hobbseus is one such group, as the morphological characters traditionally used for species identification can provide ambiguous diagnoses. Given that some Hobbseus species have been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act, this uncertainty is particularly concerning, as it inhibits implementation of effective conservation strategies. We reassess the taxonomy of Hobbseus using an integrative approach to species delimitation that combines morphological and molecular data. We include four complementary datasets: 1) traditional morphometrics; 2) geometric morphometrics; 3) single-locus mitochondrial DNA sequences; and 4) multi-locus hybrid enrichment single copy nuclear DNA sequences. Here, we provide preliminary results from analyses of the DNA sequence datasets.
Speakers
PA

Patrick Allison Jr.

PhD Candidate, University of Mississippi
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

S-12: Tribal Wisdom on Nibi and Wetlands; Manoomin and the Circle of Life
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kathleen Smith, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

ABSTRACT: Wetlands hold immense importance for the Ojibwe people, particularly in relation to nibi (water), connects all orders of creation and manoomin (wild rice), which is central to their culture and spirituality. Manoomin, native to the Great Lakes region, is more than just a food source; it is a sacred entity deeply intertwined with the identity, traditions, and sustenance of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) people.
According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, their ancestors were guided by a prophecy to find “the place where food grows on water,” leading them to the Great Lakes region where manoomin flourishes. The term “manoomin” translates to “good berry,” reflecting its esteemed status. Harvesting manoomin is a ceremonial act, performed using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. This process involves using canoes and wooden sticks to gently knock the rice into the boat, ensuring the sustainability of the rice beds.
The Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the cultural and ecological significance of manoomin. GLIFWC collaborates with member tribes to protect manoomin habitats, advocate for sustainable harvesting practices, and conduct research to support the health of wild rice beds.
Wetlands are essential to the growth and sustainability of manoomin. These ecosystems provide important food and medicines. Wetlands also support a diverse group of plant and animal species, contributing to the overall health and resilience of the environment. The Anishinaabe view wetlands as sacred spaces, integral to their cultural and spiritual practices.
Manoomin is integral to various cultural practices and ceremonies. It is offered in spiritual rituals, feasts, and funerals, symbolizing a connection to the land and the ancestors. The preservation of wetlands is thus not only an environmental concern but also a cultural and spiritual imperative for the Ojibwe people.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

Fisheries Track: A Wide Net: Identifying Habitat Across Species and Age Groups of Fish for a Holistic View of the Ecosystem
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kayla Lenz, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Douglass Keiser, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Aaron Shultz, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Adam Ray, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Mark Luehring, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission

ABSTRACT: The Anishinaabe worldview teaches us that all things that western society considers to be “resources” are, in fact, living beings that take care of one another as well as us humans. As human disturbances and climate change (Aanji-bimaadiziimagak o'ow aki; loosely, “a changing world”) alter the habitat of the creatures that care for us, we have a responsibility to, in turn, do what we can to help them. The Minocqua Chain of Lakes in the 1842 Ceded Territory in northern Wisconsin are among the most popular destinations for boating and angling in the state. For Minocqua Chain ogaa (walleye Sander vitreus), poor recruitment to the year-1 age class (likely due to a combination of factors) has resulted in a decrease in adult abundance over time. Observations of age-0 and age-1 walleye have been decreasing for years, reaching an all time low in the mid 2000’s. In an effort to alleviate this decrease, the Minocqua chain of lakes have been stocked annually with thousands of fingerling ogaawag since 2013. However, management and population recovery efforts are rarely effective if the focus is placed solely on the species of interest. As part of a holistic approach to assess the effects of changing ecosystems on the Minocqua Chain, we identified juvenile habitat for several fish species in two lakes in this system: Minocqua and Kawaguesaga Lakes. This was accomplished via snorkeling and electrofishing surveys of the two lakes to locate, map, and characterize juvenile fish habitat across all observable species. “Juvenile habitat” included hatching, feeding, and nursery habitat for age-0 and age-1 fish of any species. These surveys identified hotspots of juvenile fish activity that may be critical to protecting aquatic life of all types in the Minocqua Chain. Juvenile fish were observed to occupy about 12.87 km (48.1%) of Minocqua’s shoreline and 11.24 km (63.5%) of Kawaguesaga’s shoreline. While there were strong territorial boundaries between the ranges of juvenile predator species in Minocqua, they were more likely to cohabitate in Kawaguesaga. In both lakes, juvenile fish of all species were likely to be concentrated in areas of the lakes with little to no shoreline development. The results of these surveys may be used to inform fisheries stewardship/management plans, designate critical habitat for these species, and improve shoreline and up land use policies for this beloved waterway.
Speakers
KL

Kayla Lenz

Fisheries Research LTE, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

Fisheries Track: Big River Bluegill: How and why bluegill population dynamics vary along a large river gradient
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kristen Bouska, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center; Levi Solomon, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station; Andy Bartels, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Jim Lamer, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station; Hae Kim, Missouri State University; Quinton Phelps, Missouri State University

ABSTRACT: Vital rates (i.e., recruitment, growth, and mortality) are the processes responsible for changes in abundance and biomass of a population through time. Knowledge of vital rates and the factors that contribute to interannual variability in vital rates can provide critical information in determining why fish population abundances increase or decrease across time and space. Between 2018 and 2020, over 2,500 individual Bluegill were collected from five study reaches on the Upper Mississippi River and one study reach on the Illinois River. Together these study reaches span nearly 1500 river kilometers and 7 degrees of latitude and represent gradients such as temperature, discharge, and clarity. From the collected individuals, otoliths were extracted, and ages were estimated. Hierarchical growth models were used to estimate growth model parameters and mean-length-at-age for each species and study reach. Logistic regression was used to estimate average age and length at maturity. Study reach-specific age-length keys were created to assign ages to unaged fish collected during standardized sampling and used to estimate indices of recruitment, stock and annual mortality. We first investigated patterns in growth, maturity, recruitment, and mortality across study reaches. Next, we sought to understand the relative contribution of stock density, habitat availability, temperature gradients, and disturbance dynamics on population dynamics. With this presentation, we aim to improve our understanding of how and why bluegill populations vary across these two large rivers and plan to extend our analyses to several other species of interest.
Speakers
KB

Kristen Bouska

Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

Wildlife Track: Bobcat Survival Across North America: A Meta-Analysis Approach
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Katherine M. Buckman, Ellen M. Audia, Brent S. Pease, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, and Clayton K. Nielsen

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ABSTRACT: Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are a focal species for carnivore management and research. Although bobcat survival has been studied extensively throughout much of their North-American range, it can be difficult to identify the broader conclusions of such studies based on study-specific factors, such as sample size, harvest status, and study length. We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate mean bobcat survival across the U.S. to document trends, identify knowledge gaps, and inform future study designs. We identified 18 studies across 15 U.S. states conducted during 1985–2023 that reported a single estimate of annual bobcat survival (i.e., effect size) and a corresponding variance (i.e., weight). We assigned an “exploitation level” to each study based on whether the study area and/or adjacent lands were open to bobcat harvest (i.e., zero = no harvest permitted within or outside the study area; indirect = no harvest permitted within the study area but permitted outside the study area; direct = harvest permitted within and outside the study area). Bobcat survival estimates ranged from 0.19–0.93, with a mean annual survival of 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69–0.81). Heterogeneity in reported survival rates was not significantly different across years (Q = 3.29, P = 0.06), however survival rates appeared to increase slightly between 1985–2000 and reported estimates after 2001 were >0.68 (n = 9 studies). The mean number of days monitoring individual survival (range = 188–870 days, n = 12 studies), and the relative exploitation level accounted for 99.98% of heterogeneity in survival rates across studies (Q = 27.13, P
Speakers
KB

Katherine Buckman

Graduate Assistant, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

Wildlife Track: Widespread pesticide exposure and plant damage in natural areas in Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Thomas J. Benson, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Tara A. Beveroth, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Claire A. Johnson, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Edward P. Price, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Timothy A. Rye, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Emily J. Lain, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Brian M. Charles, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and David N. Zaya, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: Starting in the second half of the 20th century, agricultural intensification increasingly involved the use of chemicals for pest control. The development of numerous synthetic pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, led to widespread use and, in some cases, recognition of widespread non-target effects on organisms. Unfortunately, our understanding of the potential effects of these pesticides on non-target organisms generally lags behind their widespread adoption, as does our understanding of the extent to which these chemicals travel beyond the agricultural fields in which they’re applied and end up in natural areas. In 2023, we set out to examine the extent of plant damage consistent with non-target herbicide exposure as well as to quantify concentrations of pesticides from plant tissue and soil from natural areas throughout Illinois. We sampled >180 sites in Illinois 2 times during the growing season of 2023 and found at least moderate damage to plants at almost all sites, with >50% of sites having severe damage and oak species most frequently affected. We found pesticides in nearly all natural areas, with 40 different chemicals detected, primarily from plant tissues. Herbicides were found in the greatest concentrations, with Atrazine and 2,4-D most common, and Dicamba relatively rare. Later in the season, fungicides and insecticides were more commonly detected. The amount of row-crop agriculture in the surrounding kilometer predicted leaf-tissue concentrations of pesticides and severity of plant injury. The longer-term effects of this exposure and plant injury are unknown, as are the effects on insects and insectivorous birds. Given that oaks were the most frequently observed with plant damage, and the disproportionate importance of this group for caterpillars and the migrating and breeding birds that consume them, more work is needed to explore these implications.
Speakers
TB

T.J. Benson

Principal Research Scientist, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

S-04: Salmonid Movement and Habitat Use in Warming North Shore Tributaries to Lake Superior
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Dylan K. Undlin, UW-Stevens Point; Justin A. VanDeHey, UW-Stevens Point; Joshua K. Raabe, UW-Stevens Point; Nick R. Peterson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Salmonids represent an ecologically, culturally, and economically important fishery in Lake Superior and its tributaries. However, current fluvial conditions and climate projections forecast significant reductions in cold-water habitats in these systems. Salmonids such as native Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and non-native Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss depend on these volatile tributaries for at least a portion of their life. Therefore, our research aims to 1) identify critical habitat (i.e. thermal refugia) for resident and migratory Salmonids across two watersheds, and 2) determine if movements of Salmonids are related to water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and discharge. Salmonid movement was investigated in the Knife and Stewart River watersheds using 16 stationary Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) arrays and active radio telemetry techniques. Data loggers measuring water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and discharge were dispersed across watersheds, and stratified among sub watersheds and natural habitat breaks. To date, we have PIT tagged 1100 wild Salmonids and implanted 15 radio transmitters. Preliminary results suggest Salmonids sought headwater tributaries with groundwater influence and overhead cover during periods of warmer air temperatures. Salmonids used precipitation events and cold fronts as windows for movements during times of low flows and relatively warmer water. Water temperature profiles in the lower reaches of the Knife River periodically surpassed the lethal threshold for Brook Trout, indicating an ephemeral thermal barrier between tributary headwaters and Lake Superior. More data are currently being collected to further assess movement and habitat use in these riverscapes to inform management and restoration efforts.
Speakers
DU

Dylan Undlin

Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

S-07: Assessing Variation in Habitat Quality to Inform Preventative Management of Invasive Species
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brenden Elwer, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University; Alison Coulter, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University; Zachary Feiner, Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Science Operations Center and Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; David Coulter, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Preventative monitoring is an important tool for managing invasive species. Monitoring programs can detect invasions soon after introductions, allowing for rapid response actions that lead to successful containment or eradication. Individuals likely congregate in areas of highest habitat quality, so understanding how habitat quality changes through space and time can be useful for invasive species management by ensuring sampling and response efforts target locations where new invaders are likely to be present. For this work we assessed spatial and temporal trends in habitat quality for Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, in currently uninvaded lakes, rivers, and wetlands in eastern North and South Dakota. We did so by calculating water temperature, water velocity, phytoplankton density, and zooplankton density from observed monthly sampling across 30 m x 30 m grid cells in each water body. Observations were then used in bioenergetics models that calculated growth rate potential, an index of habitat quality, that we compared through space and time. Developing our understanding of how high-quality habitat patches for Silver Carp shift over time enables more effective monitoring and preventative action planning for resource managers.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

S-08: Conservation Initiatives of the Saint Louis Zoo's Herpetology Department
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Justin M. Elden, Saint Louis Zoo

ABSTRACT: The Saint Louis Zoo has a longstanding commitment to both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts for reptiles and amphibians across the globe. From the highlands of Western Asia to the streams of the Ozarks, the Zoo takes pride in being a conservation-focused institution. This presentation provides an overview of the Zoo's Herpetology department conservation initiatives, highlighting both local and international projects, with a focus on their in situ and ex situ contributions to the preservation of vital species.
Speakers
JE

Justin Elden

Curator, Herpetology & Aquatics, Saint Louis Zoo
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

S-09: Improving Dialogues in Multi-stakeholder Settings: an Experiment
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kristin F. Hurst, Southern Illinois University; Zachary M. Hurst, Playa Lakes Joint Venture

ABSTRACT: Addressing complex conservation challenges frequently requires collaboration between stakeholders who hold disparate and sometimes incompatible views. To advance solutions, stakeholders need a common understanding of the scope of the problem and other stakeholder’s positions related to it. This requires that they be receptive to information that may not align with their pre-existing positions. We experimentally tested a strategy to foster such receptivity by evaluating the effect of a behavioral intervention on perspective-taking and empathy. Participants (N = 223) who previously expressed opposition to a transition to renewable energy were randomly assigned to write a short, morally grounded essay either in favor of (intervention) or in opposition to (control) a shift to renewable energy. We expected that writing a morally grounded essay in favor of one’s opposing stance would increase perspective-taking, empathy, and support of the energy transition. We found a main effect on support and empathy but not perspective-taking. We also hypothesized that empathy would mediate the relationship between essay writing and support. We tested a serial mediation model where writing a counter-attitudinal essay would result in increased empathy and support, which then results in an intention to act. While we found a significant indirect effect of essay writing on behavioral intention, mediated by support, there was no evidence that empathy helped to explain this relationship. Given the relatively simple intervention and its potential to be easily incorporated into group settings, we suggest that its use may help lay the foundation for a more productive discussion. Future research can help understand the mechanism by which this occurs and its impact on the likelihood of reaching agreements.
Speakers
KH

Kristin Hurst

Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

S-10: Fisheries Response to Lake Restoration Projects in Northwest Iowa Natural Lakes
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Hawkins, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Lake restoration projects in Iowa focus on improved water quality, nutrient management, and habitat restoration. Many of the management actions taken during these projects focus on long-term improvements and stability, but some actions can produce an immediate impact, shifting a lake between turbid and clear water stable states. This shift can have dramatic impacts on aquatic plant densities and diversity. This shift in aquatic plant communities can then trigger a rapid shift in the fish community. These changes have positive ecological impacts and improve fishing opportunities, but this rapid shift in lake biology may present challenges for some users. The methods for lake restoration on three northwest Iowa natural lakes will be discussed along with the impacts on plant and fish communities. Challenges associated with public perception and invasive species will also be presented.
Speakers
MH

Michael Hawkins

Fisheries Management Biologist, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:00am CST

S-11: Conservation and Taxonomic Status of the Spiny Scale Crayfish, with an emphasis on Kentucky Populations
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: ZAchary J. Loughman, West Liberty University; Parker Hildreth, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency; Jonathan D. Eisenhour, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves; Eric Ng, West Liberty University, Kaleb Norris, West Liberty University; Kathryn Schulz, West Liberty University; Michael C. Compton, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserve.

ABSTRACT: Cambarus jezerinaci, the Spiny Scale Crayfish, is a small headwater species endemic to the central Appalachians of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Recently C. jezerinaci was petitioned for federal listing, resulting in the need for a Species Status Assessment (SSA). With the exception of C. jezerinaci description, limited surveys have been completed for this taxa. Cambarus jezerinaci has an interesting distribution in Kentucky, with populations known to occur prior to survey efforts in the South Fork of the Kentucky River basin, as well as the Upper Cumberland watershed. In the summer of 2022, a weeklong survey effort procured new C. jezerinaci locations in the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, as well as the Upper Cumberland. Genetic samples were taken on all animals captured and analyzed with 2 COI genes. Results of this work indicated that multiple lineages existed for C. jezerinaci in Kentucky that differ genetically from type populations, warranting more dedicated work. In the summer of 2024, in accordance with the Kentucky Crayfish Blitz as well as the WLU Crayfish Laboratory, 306 sites were sampled across the entirety of the Kentucky Fork basins, as well as the Upper Cumberland watersheds. Cambarus cf. jezerianci was procured from 28.2% of sites sampled. Genetic samples were acquired from all specimens and will be analyzed using RADSeq methods. Future work will focus on elucidating the conservation genetics and taxonomic standing of C. jezerinaci to support the completion of the SSA.
Speakers
ZL

Zachary Loughman

Professor, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

Fisheries Track: Long-Term Angling for Black Bass During the Spawning Season Reduces Nest Defense and Responsiveness to Lures
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Justin Lombardo, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Cory D. Suski, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; David P. Philipp, Fisheries Conservation Foundation; Joel Zhang, Carleton University; Joseph Parkos, Illinois Natural History Survey; Steven J. Cooke, Carleton University; Jeffrey A. Stein, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Spring fishing for spawning black bass is a controversial topic. The aggressive behaviors exhibited by nesting males increases their susceptibility to angling, and should a nesting bass be removed by an angler, all offspring in that nest can be consumed by predators. Over time, this has potential to negatively impact populations, which may suggest the need for regulatory protection for nesting males. Unfortunately, long-term studies that track changes in black bass populations due to angling during the spawn have not been conducted, precluding our ability to make definitive conclusions about the impact on populations. The objective of this study was to quantify how reproductive and behavioral characteristics of spawning black bass in lakes Charleston and Opinicon in southern Ontario have changed due to angling pressure over a 32-year period compared with two control populations that have not received angling pressure. For this, nesting surveys were conducted during two sampling periods by snorkeling along the littoral zone in all four lakes to observe the mating success of nesting males. After snorkeling, nests were angled with 15 standardized casts to quantify susceptibility to angling. Results show that, from the 1990s to 2020s, there was no significant change in mating success in any of the studied lakes. The percentage of strikes on the first cast, however, significantly decreased in smallmouth bass in lakes Charleston and Opinicon, with no significant decreases in the control lakes. Similarly, in lakes Charleston and Opinicon, the percentage of strikes on any cast decreased in largemouth bass, with no significant changes in the control lakes. Results suggest that fisheries induced evolution may be negatively influencing black bass behavior and eroding their response to angling. Results will be further discussed in the context of protected areas to mitigate the consequences of angling.
Speakers
JL

Justin Lombardo

Research Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

Fisheries Track: Microplastic Abundance in Fish Species with Differing Feeding Habits in a Large Midwestern River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Louison, Mckendree University

ABSTRACT: Microplastics have emerged as a major contaminant of concern in a host of ecosystems, including freshwater systems. Previous work has documented the abundance of microplastics in the bodies of various organisms, finding that aspects of an animal’s niche (feeding habits, habitat choice, etc.) may influence exposure to microplastic contamination. To further our understanding of microplastic abundance in freshwater systems, we conducted a survey of freshwater fish taken from the lower Kaskaskia River in Southern Illinois, USA. The first sampling site (done via direct current boat electrofishing) was stationed directly below the Carlyle Lake dam (a heavily used recreational site with abundant pollution from litter) with two additional downstream sites also sampled. Five species of fish (flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris, freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens, smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus, white crappie Pomoxis annularis, and gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum) of differing feeding ecologies were sampled, dissected, and subsequently examined for microplastics both visually (examinations of gills and stomach contents under microscope) and chemically (analysis of nanoplastic concentration in muscle tissue). Results revealed differences in microplastic load between fish species and between sites, as well as differences in measures of contamination using visual and chemical methods. Our results add to the present knowledge of microplastic abundance in organisms, and specifically how feeding type and proximity to sources of human pollution may impact microplastic abundance in freshwater fish.
Speakers
ML

Michael Louison

Assistant Professor of Biology, McKendree University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

Wildlife Track: Forest Management Impacts on Bat Health: Insights from Northeast Missouri Conservation Areas
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Katie Fitzgerald, Marcus Jorgensen, Diana Hews, Cory Suski, and Joy O’Keefe

ABSTRACT: Forest management practices aim to improve natural landscapes and provide critical habitat, but their effects on wildlife health are not well understood. This study used non-invasive techniques to quantify health by measuring hair cortisol, a stress hormone, and body mass, in four common bat species in northeastern Missouri. We sampled across three non-managed forests and three managed forests, where small-scale treatments such as girdling, thinning, and prescribed burns were applied. Sampling occurred before and after the application of these treatments, which were implemented in 2022 (sampling 2019-2023). Post-treatment, Indiana bats from managed forests had significantly lower cortisol than those from non-managed forests, while evening bats and Indiana bats from managed forests also had greater body mass. Post-treatment, adult male red bats exhibited higher cortisol levels than pre-treatment, regardless of forest type. For big brown bats, body mass and cortisol levels were similar across all sample years and forest types. These results suggest that small scale forest management could help reduce stress levels and increase body mass, particularly for smaller bat species such as Indiana bats and evening bats, by creating favorable foraging conditions and reducing competition. Overall, our study suggests that hair cortisol and body condition offer a non-invasive method to evaluate the impacts of habitat alterations on wildlife and provide valuable insights into how forest management practices impact bat health.
Speakers
KF

Katie Fitzgerald

PhD student researcher, University of Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

Wildlife Track: Rodents in an Urban Forest: Exploring Small Mammal Ecology and the Impact of Restoration 
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Samantha Dennis, Stephen Blake, Saint Louis University; Stella Uiterwaal, Elizabeth Carlen, Washington University; Zachary Reyes, Saint Louis University, Sabrina Hardy, Purdue University

ABSTRACT: Urban expansion in the Midwest poses significant challenges to wildlife habitats vital to supporting biodiversity. As cities grow, green spaces within urban environments can become important habitat refugia for numerous species. Urban parks often provide mosaics of semi-natural habitats in a matrix of high human use areas within which some native wildlife species may persist. In the midwestern US, the conservation value of urban parks for small mammal communities is poorly understood. We studied the abundance and diversity of small rodent populations in iconic Forest Park, St. Louis, in which habitat restoration has been underway for a decade. We hypothesized that small mammal abundance and diversity would be correlated with restoration effort. Over three months in summer 2024, we used live trapping methods to capture rodents and survey tree and understory vegetation across the restoration gradient of the park. We identified captured mammals to species and sex, collected morphometric data and collected hair and scat samples to characterize diets through stable isotope analysis. We completed 1,646 traps nights capturing 94 individuals. Rodent diversity was extremely low; ninety of the individuals captured were Peromyscus spp. (Deer mice), two Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern gray squirrel), one Tamias striatus (Eastern chipmunk), and 1 Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum). Our results showed that older restoration sections with the highest plant density and diversity supported a greater abundance of rodents than younger restoration sections with correspondingly lower plant density and diversity. While restoration duration was correlated with the abundance of small native rodents, it had no effect on rodent diversity. We speculate this may be due to dispersal limitation through the cityscape. Effective restoration management is essential to ensure that the wildlife inhabiting these areas is not only surviving but thriving, providing insights for enhancing biodiversity a long-term sustainability in urban green spaces. 
Speakers
SD

Samantha Dennis

Graduate Student/Reseacher, Saint Louis University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-04: Assessment of Invasive and Nuisance species in a Nebraska Reservoir Managed as a Trout Fishery
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Alexandria Keiler-Klein, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Melissa Wuellner, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Keith Koupal, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and University of Nebraska at Kearney

ABSTRACT: Nuisance and invasive species can, directly and indirectly, affect sport fisheries, but few agencies target these fishes in annual standard surveys. Understanding when and how to sample nuisance and invasive species is important to understanding their abundance and size structures. Determining optimal assessment techniques can provide management insight into interventions to address the impacts of nuisance and invasive fish abundance on salmonid species. The objective of this study was to determine which gear and time of year could be used to assess populations of invasive (Common Carp Cyprinus carpio) and/or nuisance (White sucker Catostomus commersonii) species in one Nebraska reservoir. Experimental gill nets, modified fyke nets, and nighttime boat electrofishing were employed at nine locations across Lake Ogallala monthly from April through September 2023. All individuals of the two species were enumerated and measured for total length (mm). This information was used to calculate catch per unit effort (CPUE), the coefficient of variation around CPUE, and a measure of length variability (Shannon-Weiner diversity based on 10-mm length bins) for each gear, month, and species. Additionally, we calculated the measurement of operational effort. Measurements were ranked across gears for each month and summed. The smallest ranks were used to identify the best gear and month for sampling each species. Preliminary results indicate electrofishing captures the best length diversity and operational effort for Common Carp and White Sucker in June and May respectively. CPUE for White Suckers and Common Carp was highest in April and July fyke netting respectively. Lastly, variability in CPUE was lowest with Common Carp July electrofishing and White Suckers May gill netting. The results from this study can be used by other states and provinces addressing similar and other nuisance and invasive species assessments to allow for more proactive, rather than reactive, management interventions to support salmonid fisheries.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-07:The Commercial Bait Dealer Program in Kansas: Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations and Inspections
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Parr, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Chris Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: The transportation of aquatic invasive species (AIS) is often facilitated intentionally or unintentionally through anthropogenic activities. The commercial bait trade represents one potential pathway for AIS introductions as non-target bait species, or contaminates, can be accidently sold to anglers who may release the species while fishing or as excess bait. In order to prevent AIS introductions in the bait trade, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) developed a multifaceted commercial fish bait dealer program that encompasses both regulatory control, education, and outreach programs. Beginning in 2012, several regulations have been enacted or amended that have changed the use of bait, including commercial and wild-caught bait. These regulations have limited the allowable bait species and harvest locations, increased record-keeping and importation requirements, and changed how KDWP permits and regulates individuals involved in the commercial fish bait industry. Without direct oversight, both AIS and diseases can spread quickly with bait. Therefore, KDWP conducts annual inspections of permitted bait retailers to ensure all requirements are being met and aims to improve the retailer’s awareness of AIS issues and baitfish regulations. Most anglers who use live bait purchase it from retail bait shops, presenting a great opportunity for retailers to provide anglers with information regarding AIS awareness and prevention. Thus, during these inspections KDWP provides education and outreach materials to the bait dealers to ensure they have the resources available to educate those anglers. These inspections also give bait dealers the opportunity to have face-to-face interactions with KDWP staff and has helped them develop a positive relationship with the agency.
Speakers
MP

Michael Parr

Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-08: The Return of Alligator Snapping Turtles to Their Former Range in Kansas
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: J. DAREN RIEDLE1, DAY B. LIGON2, AND TREVOR STARKS1
1Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
2Missouri State University


ABSTRACT: The Neosho and Verdigris rivers were once major corridors for movement of Alligator Snapping Turtles between Oklahoma and Kansas. Historic harvest and the proliferation of impoundments in both states resulted in highly fragmented and reduced populations. Alligator Snapping Turtles have long been considered extirpated from Kansas. The last known living Alligator Snapping Turtle in Kansas was outfitted with transmitters and released in 1991 and has not been located since 1992. A series of surveys were conducted in Kansas from 2016-2020, but no individuals were captured. In concert with these survey efforts a Programmatic Agreement, which includes a Safe Harbor Agreement and Candidate Conservation Agreement, that allows our agency to enter into agreements with private landowners. Using habitat information collected during survey work several interested landowners with adequate habitat were identified and agreed to come on as signatories to our programmatic agreement. In Fall of 2024, forty, 6–10-year-old head-started turtles were released on a Segment of the Neosho River in eastern Kansas. An additional 60 turtles will be released in Spring 2025. The initial 40 turtles will be monitored via ultrasonic and radio-telemetry. Depending on the success of the initial releases, future releases will be planned for the Verdigris River drainage.
Speakers
DR

Daren Riedle

Wildlife Diversity Coordinator, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-09: Bees, Butterflies, and Busting Silos: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pollinator Conservation Social Network Analysis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shannon Westlake, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Kiandra Rajala, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Patrick Bixler, The University of Texas at Austin; Nicole Alt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT: Innovation in conservation is required to move from surviving to thriving. As exemplified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Center for Pollinator Conservation (Center), social science innovations can enhance efficacy and resiliency. The Center is a multi-agency science and collaboration hub tasked with helping direct conservation actions that can reverse declining pollinator population trends in a connected and collaborative way. To meet those tasks and recognize and shed light on previous and ongoing USFWS pollinator conservation efforts, we developed and conducted a social network analysis study.

To build knowledge of the existing network and help inform evidence-based decisions to increase efficacy of pollinator conservation efforts, the Center launched a study across the USFWS in Fall 2023. From 1,599 USFWS respondents: 49.9% had never participated in USFWS pollinator conservation efforts); 16.3% previously worked on efforts but do not currently; and 33.8% who currently work on USFWS pollinator conservation efforts. Across these participant categories, our results indicated strong interest in new or re-engagement in pollinator conservation needs or efforts, and a primary scope of work at the local scale (i.e., within one state). Informing how the Center can share information and resources, we learned that emails and targeted meetings are the preferred pollinator communication methods across all three participant categories.

Initial results provide insight into connections across USFWS and external partners and identify key “bridgers” in priority pollinator conservation topics (e.g., conservation planning, partnership coordination, pesticides). These results will not only facilitate easier geographic connections but can also support silo busting efforts across USFWS and with external partners approach in a collaborative approach pollinator conservation. By better understanding relationships and knowledge flows, we can more effectively accelerate knowledge flows and reduce bottlenecks, create connections, leverage support, and adapt strategies to allow for learning and innovation towards a thriving conservation future.
Speakers
avatar for Kiandra Rajala

Kiandra Rajala

Regional Social Scientist, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-10: Why I'm establishing aquatic plants, and you should too!
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nick Kramer, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: It is relatively easy to determine when aquatic vegetation should be removed from an impoundment or stream but when should managers consider establishing or maintaining an aquatic plant community? This presentation aims to answer that question by highlighting the many ecological benefits that aquatic vegetation can provide to our aquatic systems.
Speakers
avatar for Nick Kramer

Nick Kramer

District Fisheries Biologist, Kansas Dept. Wildlife & Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-11: From streams, swamps, sloughs and roadside ditches: The places you will go while sampling the rare crayfishes of Texas, USA.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Dusty Swedberg, Prairie Research Institute - Illinois Natural History Survey; Archis Grubh, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Christopher Taylor, Prairie Research Institute - Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Crayfishes are a diverse and ecologically important component in Texas's aquatic ecosystems. Timely information on distribution, abundance, habitat needs, and threats is needed to effectively manage this resource. Texas currently has ten crayfish species of greatest conservation need, five of which were the focus of our sampling: Procambarus brazoriensis, Procambarus nigrocinctus, Procambarus nechesae, Procambarus nueces, and Procambarus texanus. From 2022 to 2024, we sampled almost 100 sites targeting these species and have been able to collect each of the five species. Our collections and the associated habitat data have documented possible range reduction in Procambarus nueces and Procambarus texanus. While also documenting Procambarus nigrocinctus and Procambarus nechesae might be more common than initially perceived.  Procambarus brazoriensis is documented as a highly seasonal crayfish with collections that only occur in early spring. With our collection data, we are able to draw conclusions on range and habitat data to better estimate the conservation status for these five crayfishes and other sympatric species that were collected through our efforts. 
Speakers
DS

Dusty Swedberg

Senior Scientific Specialist, Prairie Research Institute - Illinois Natural History Survey at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:30am CST

S-12: Return of the Wapato
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tracy Hames, Wisconsin Wetlands Association

ABSTRACT: This presentation will tell the story of the return of Wapato (Sagittaria spp.) to wetlands within the Yakama Nation’s Reservation in eastern Washington state. Wapato has been utilized by the Yakama People since time immemorial. Past disturbances related to agricultural development and other land and water use alterations, however, resulted in the near extirpation of these plants on the Yakama Reservation. When healthy Wapato beds began to return to wetlands on the Reservation, the return of these plants was unplanned, but not unexpected. The story of how the Yakama Nation helped bring about this return begins in the 1970’s when Yakama cultural leaders called for the protection and restoration of the heavily disturbed wetland and floodplain landscapes in the agricultural portion of the Reservation. During the decades that followed, the Yakama Nation developed a “cultural” approach to wetland and floodplain protection, restoration, and management. This approach emphasized reestablishing, as much as possible, historic conditions to benefit all resources in the locations and proportions that they existed in the past. The results of this large-scale effort on the Yakama Reservation will be shown, and why this approach should be of interest to all waterfowl and wetland managers will be discussed.
Speakers
TH

Tracy Hames

Executive Director, Wisconsin Wetlands Association
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

Fisheries Track: Flow and temperature impacts on catfish populations in two Missouri River tributaries
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Benjamin J. Schall, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; David O. Lucchesi, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Keith E. Schwartz, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Alison A. Coulter, South Dakota State University; Steven R. Chipps, USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Changes to aquatic habitats owing to climate change can impact fish populations. Warming temperatures combined with changes in the magnitude and frequency of precipitation events have resulted in more frequent flooding and increased river flows in portions of the upper Great Plains. The impact of changing flow and increased water temperature on fishes in these systems is not well understood. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the impacts of changing water levels and temperature on Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish growth and condition. Channel Catfish were collected in eastern South Dakota from the James River from 2017-2024 and the Big Sioux River from 2021-2024. Flathead Catfish were collected from the James River in 2018 and 2022-2024. Growth increments were measured from the three most recent pectoral spine annuli, and lengths-at-age were back-calculated. A series of Bayesian generalized linear mixed-effects models were developed to evaluate the relationship between back-calculated lengths and environmental variables, including discharge and cumulative growing degree days (GDD). Fish condition was also assessed by developing annual length-weight regressions and modelling fish weights under varying river discharge and GDD values on the James River. Overall increases in annual growth increment and length-weight regression slopes were observed for Channel Catfish in the James River as river discharge increased. However, growth of Channel Catfish in the Big Sioux River was negatively related to GDD. James River Flathead Catfish condition remained similar across the study years, but growth increments increased with discharge. By modeling potential future environmental conditions under varying climate scenarios, it may be possible to identify how these populations will be impacted by changing climatic conditions and how that may impact their management.
Speakers
BS

BJ Schall

Fisheries Biologist, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

Fisheries Track: Thermal Tolerances and Heat Shock Protein Regulation of Bigmouth Shiners
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ella Humphrey, University of Nebraska Lincoln; Jonathan Spurgeon, U.S. Geological Survey & Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Sarah Sonsthagen, U.S. Geological Survey & Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

ABSTRACT: Climate change may impact the persistence of fish species based on their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as decreasing flows and rising temperatures. Fish rely on temperature regimes within their thermal tolerance to maintain metabolic processes. Thus, temperatures outside these tolerances will result in fish losing the ability to continue metabolic processes resulting in severe stress or death. Bigmouth shiner Hybopsis dorsalis is widespread throughout Nebraska and previous studies indicate that increasing temperatures may affect their range. Therefore, we evaluated the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of H dorsalis and analyzed their expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) to quantify a thermal stress response over a gradient of temperatures (25-31°C). We found that HSP-70 expression was upregulated in response to temperatures >25°C, indicating a stress response. We then compared this thermal threshold to the yearly maximum temperatures from 42 rivers and streams in Nebraska to determine areas where H dorsalis may already be at risk for thermal stress within their range. About 88% of the sites surpassed 25°C at some point between May and September. This study provides evidence that H dorsalis may be experiencing thermal stress across Nebraska, which future climate scenarios may worsen.
Speakers
EH

Ella Humphrey

Student, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

Wildlife Track: Impact of invasive Burmese python on the abundance of two endemic endangered species in the Florida Keys
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shauna S. Sayers, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Brent S. Pease, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Michael V. Cove, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

ABSTRACT: Non-native invasive species are a leading contributor to global biodiversity loss. The Burmese python (Python bivittatus), a large constrictor snake native to Southeast Asia, is one of Florida's most notable exotic predators. Although python’s prey vary in size and species, rodents are the most common group detected in their digestive tracts. The Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) and Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola) are two endangered rodent subspecies, endemic to Key Largo, Florida, that are susceptible to the threat of increasing python prevalence. We examined the impact of Burmese pythons on these two subspecies by conducting spatial capture-recapture surveys at 23 grids and deploying remote cameras at 629 supplemental woodrat nests across North Key Largo from January to August 2024. Trapping effort concluded with a total of 4,309 trapnights, capturing 37 woodrats (17 individuals) and 268 cotton mice (152 individuals). The effects of python presence on woodrat and cotton mouse populations were examined by comparing current rodent abundance estimates to those estimated during the python’s apparent establishment and increasing prevalence. Our results indicate the abundance of woodrats and cotton mice has declined coinciding with the increasing detections of pythons, with more drastic declines in the larger woodrats. Preliminary SECR estimates show a decrease in woodrat density from 0.48 individuals per hectare in 2017 to 0.08 individuals per hectare in 2024. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrated that areas with higher python activity exhibited altered habitat use patterns by woodrats such as decreased nest use and stick-nest building. These results suggest that as pythons increase their population size and distribution, the already geographically limited woodrats and cotton mice may continue to experience population declines and shifting habitat use.
Speakers
SS

Shauna Sayers

Master's Student, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

Wildlife Track: Movement ecology of an urban community in Forest Park, Saint Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Stephen Blake, Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo.

Sharon L. Deem, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo.

Jamie Palmer, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo.

Jeff Meshach, World Bird Sanctuary.

Stanton Braude, Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis.

Amy Witt, Forest Park Forever.

August Wise, Saint Louis University.

Anthony I. Dell, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.

Stella F. Uiterwaal, Living Earth Collaborative, Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.


ABSTRACT: Catastrophic native ecosystem degradation is usually a consequence of urban expansion. However, urban areas can support some elements of native biodiversity with benefits for conservation and human health. Understanding the ecology of urban biodiversity is increasingly important in a rapidly urbanizing world. Species responses to urbanization vary enormously from rapid local extinction to population expansion, with responses often strongly correlated with life history traits. Among animals, “urban adapters” often have r selected traits, such as small body size, high fecundity, and generalist niches. Long lived, large-bodied organisms with low fecundity tend to experience population declines and high local extinction probability under urbanization. Mobility can govern animals’ ability to exploit high-quality habitats and disperse out of poor-quality habitats. City parks are often mosaics of intense human use and semi-natural areas. They can function as urban biodiversity hotspots, which provides opportunities to understand the movement ecology of animals within urban communities. Over the last three years, we have fitted GPS and radio tracking tags to individuals from 15 species of animals in Forest Park, St. Louis. Additionally, we have acquired human mobility data from anonymous smart phone tracking within the park. We mapped habitat characteristics including vegetation and human footprint metrics across the city. We characterized animal movement strategies and habitat use using net squared displacement and resource selection functions. Forest Park wildlife displays all major movement strategies including residence, dispersal, nomadism and migration. Species’ responses to the human footprint varied dramatically from strongly negative, mostly among low mobility terrestrial omnivores, to strongly positive among highly mobile terrestrial and avian predators. Mortality was high among these species. This first quantitative window into the movement ecology of an urban animal community provokes myriad research and management questions and implications, demanding more extensive applied research to influence urban planning policy.
Speakers
SB

Stephen Blake

Assistant Professor, Biology Department, Saint Louis University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-04: Assessment of Isotope Shifts in Northern Pike in Response to Increased Rainbow Trout Stocking Length
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jeremy L. Kientz

South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks

ABSTRACT: Pactola Reservoir in the Black Hills of South Dakota has historically been managed as a coldwater fishery for Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush. In 2003, Northern Pike Esox lucius were first sampled in fisheries surveys by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (SD GFP) and have since become an established predator. Due to concerns of direct predation on stocked catchable (275 mm) Rainbow Trout, SD GFP partnered with South Dakota State University on a research project which evaluated Northern Pike diets and isotopes. The results of that study showed that fish smaller than 600 mm had δC13 isotope values similar to centrarchid prey species, whereas δC13 values for 600 mm and larger fish were similar to stocked Rainbow Trout. In response to this research and to reduce predation by Northern Pike, SD GFP increased the Rainbow Trout stocking size in Pactola Reservoir from 275 mm to 381 mm. The objective of this study was to evaluate Northern Pike isotope changes in response to the increased Rainbow Trout stocking size. Northern Pike (n=42) were captured in May 2021 with sizes ranging from 457 mm to 1,021 mm. δC13 values in Northern Pike smaller than 700 mm were similar to the centrarchid values seen in the previous study, suggesting that stocked Rainbow Trout had not become a major diet item for 700 mm and smaller individuals. This data was supported by an analysis of variance (ANOVA) among 100 mm size bins which revealed that significant differences in δC13 were detected between the 700 mm and 800 mm size bins, but not among 700 mm and smaller size bins. Furthermore, a piecewise linear regression technique in program R revealed a breakpoint value of 716 mm. These results indicate that the length at which Northern Pike prey upon stocked Rainbow Trout has increased by over 100 mm following the increase in trout stocking length.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-07: Improving the Discoverability and Accessibility of Invasive Carp Projects and Data
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jason Ross, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Mark Brouder, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Aaron Murphy US Geological Survey; Mathew Walker, US Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Member agencies of the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) are actively implementing management and control actions to reduce the spread and abundance of invasive carp species that are established and expanding their range in the Mississippi River Basin. MICRA formed an Invasive Carp Advisory Committee (ICAC) to coordinate the planning, execution, and evaluation of collaborative actions to prevent, detect, and control invasive carp populations. Currently, the information and data collected and needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the various control and management actions being implemented are housed and dispersed among the individual agencies or entities. These information and data “silos” are difficult to discover and access by the various MICRA member agencies, the ICAC working groups and modelers tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of control and management efforts across the landscape, and other interested parties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, working on behalf of the ICAC Data Analysis Workgroup, are developing a web-based platform known as CarpDAT (Data, Analysis and Tools) that intends to improve the discoverability and accessibility of invasive carp information and data being collected across the Mississippi River Basin by compiling and consolidating it in a single location.
Speakers
JR

Jason Ross

IT Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-08: Adaptive Management for a Reintroduced Population of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Callie Klatt Golba, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences; Gary Glowacki, Lake County Forest Preserve District; Kathryn McCabe, Lake County Forest Preserve District; Richard King, Northern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Reintroduction is a tool used in conservation biology to establish a new population of previously extirpated species. It is often necessary when habitat fragmentation prevents natural reestablishment. In freshwater turtle species, reintroduction is becoming more common, but due to their longevity, continued monitoring and adaptive management is necessary to properly assess success. From 2020 to 2022, 175 headstarted Blanding’s Turtles were reintroduced at a recently restored site in Lake County, Illinois. The plan was to continue releases to meet or exceed an adult population size indicative of resiliency (Adult N ≥ 50) and maximize genetic diversity. Follow-up monitoring revealed lower than expected survival due to high predation. Releases were halted after detection of a shell rot fungus among captives in 2022. To determine the best strategy going forward, we used population viability analysis to compare release scenarios that differed in the age at release (direct release of hatchlings, 1st year headstarts, 2nd year headstarts), the number released, and the implementation of predator removal. Releases of older headstarts with concurrent predator removal were projected to result in the largest population size. Increasing number of egg donors resulted in relatively small effects on allelic richness, genetic diversity, and inbreeding. Results from the initial years of an experimental reintroduced population demonstrate the utility of continued monitoring to guide adaptive management in wildlife conservation.
Speakers
CG

Callie Golba

Curator of Turtle Conservation, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-09: Summarizing grassland management social science literature and conservation practitioner social science needs across the Central Grasslands
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ashley Gramza, Playa Lakes Joint Venture; Zach Hurst, Playa Lakes Joint Venture; Ryan Roberts, Playa Lakes Joint Venture

ABSTRACT: The Central Grasslands region of North America provides crucial habitat for a myriad of bird and wildlife species and vital resources for human communities. This ecosystem is in rapid decline mainly due to cropland conversion, climate change, and invasive plant species. Current conservation efforts have not stopped this decline, highlighting the need for a shift in conservation delivery strategies that incorporate local populations within this landscape. Furthermore, grassland management decisions are multidimensional and complex, requiring social science to understand, yet this research has not often been coordinated among social scientists nor integrated into conservation delivery strategies. To improve the integration of social science knowledge into conservation delivery, we synthesized existing conservation social science research related to grassland management decision-making, examined social science needs and priorities of grassland conservation delivery professionals, and used the aforementioned information to create a plan that identifies challenges and opportunities for grassland conservation delivery and includes a research priority list for future social science research to benefit grassland conservation. The grassland management social science literature review underscored the importance of conducting more transdisciplinary, community-based and participatory grassland conservation projects. These strategies will increase the reach, effectiveness and equity of conservation efforts and help ensure long-term grassland persistence across the Central Grasslands. This project with its combination of data sources provides a good understanding of the current state of knowledge and related research needs, while making this information available to grassland conservation professionals. It also provides a starting point for conservation social scientists to coordinate and collaborate on future research that is useful and usable to grassland conservation professionals within the Central Grasslands.
Speakers
avatar for Kiandra Rajala

Kiandra Rajala

Regional Social Scientist, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-10: Aquatic plant assessment and mapping methods: finding the sweet spot between frequency and abundance
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ray Valley, President and Aquatic Biologist, BioBase LLC, St. Paul MN.

ABSTRACT: It’s well understood that aquatic plants play a critical role in lake ecosystems at multiple levels. Aquatic plants control water quality and water quality controls aquatic plants. Aquatic plants shape fish communities, structure food webs and facilitate quality sport fisheries. Invasive species disrupt the ecological balance of lakes but are strangely friend or foe depending on what audience you find yourself in. As professionals, fisheries professionals, we get this. We also see that millions are spent in the US each year to control invasive aquatic plants. Despite the stakes, aquatic plant assessment and monitoring programs have generally been underfunded. If monitoring does occur, it is typically focused on frequency of occurrence of aquatic plant species and rarely abundance (biomass or biovolume). Although a great measure of species cover and diversity, frequency of occurrence is a poor measure of habitat as perceived by fish or the total biomass of plants that contribute to a lake’s nutrient budget. More recently, methods have been developed bringing species frequency surveys together with high definition abundance surveys. Now with the advent of Artificial Intelligence and continued innovation of consumer technology, we have the capability to precisely map the abundance of individual aquatic plant species. Investment will be needed to develop, scale, or repurpose technology developed for the consumer world for aquatic and fisheries management purposes.
Speakers
RV

Ray Valley

President, BioBase LLC
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

12:00pm CST

Lunch On Your Own
Tuesday January 21, 2025 12:00pm - 1:20pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 12:00pm - 1:20pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Age and Growth Analyses on a Stunted vs. Non-Stunted Population of White Perch in Southeastern Nebraska Reservoirs
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Cali Engel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Mark Pegg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

ABSTRACT: Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been a growing concern for many fisheries managers and biologists throughout the United States. In Eastern Nebraska, White perch (Morone americana) have been found in a variety of lakes, including Branched Oak Lake, Pawnee Lake, Holmes Lake, and Wildwood Lake. Waterbodies with high densities of this species may cause them to become stunted, maintaining a small size and being undesirable by anglers. Branched Oak Lake and Pawnee Lake contain an abundance of stunted white perch, making management of these reservoirs difficult. Interestingly, there are at least two reservoirs in Southeast Nebraska that contain populations of white perch that are not stunted. Despite their geographic proximity to Branched Oak Lake and Pawnee Lake, Holmes Lake and Wildwood Lake contain populations of white perch desirable to anglers. This study assesses the age structure and growth rates of White perch populations in these four lakes to better understand the differences in population dynamics of populations across different densities. Size structures were markedly different among the four study lakes as expected. Exact differences between stunted and non-stunted populations will be compared to begin determining factors that may influence the propensity for stunting.
Speakers
avatar for Cali Engel

Cali Engel

Undergraduate student, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Impacts of Habitat Enhancement on Fish Assemblage Integrity in Several Midwestern Streams
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ryan Skowronski, Eastern Illinois University; Eden Effert-Fanta, Eastern Illinois University; Dan Roth, Eastern Illinois University; Trent Thomas, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Robert Colombo, Eastern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: The Midwestern landscape has been converted from forests and prairies into land used for urban development and agricultural practices over the past two centuries. This transformation in landscape composition has disrupted ecosystem function and reduced the stability of stream habitats by accelerating bank erosion, decreasing riparian buffers, and lowering water quality. These changes have led to the degradation of stream habitat heterogeneity, which is a key factor influencing the biotic integrity of fish assemblages. Habitat restoration is a common mitigation strategy for reversing stream degradation, though empirical research evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration is insufficient in the Midwestern United States. This study aims to investigate the temporal shifts in fish biotic integrity in four Illinois streams restored in the past 15 years using historical fish community data. We expect habitat enhancement to initially disrupt fish assemblages but show an overall increase in biotic integrity in restored sites over time with a rise in habitat specialist and intolerant fishes. Evaluating the outcomes of these restoration projects is critical to conserve fish communities in degraded streams and improve future restoration methods.
Speakers
RS

Ryan Skowronski

Graduate Research Assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Multi-Method Occupancy of Semi-Aquatic Mammals in Southern Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Derek Whipkey, Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab, Southern Illinois University; Charlotte Narr, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University; Brent Pease, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Semi-aquatic mammals play important roles in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the transfer of nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial environments. However, detecting and estimating the occurrence of these species can be difficult due to their elusive nature. Additionally, most occupancy studies have focused on a single type of waterbody (e.g. lentic or lotic systems), limiting a broader understanding of factors impacting these species distribution. To estimate occupancy of semi-aquatic mammals, we surveyed 67 sites across four counties in southern Illinois from March – May 2023 for American beaver (Castor canadensis), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), river otter (Lontra canadensis), and American mink (Neovison vison). Sites were distributed evenly between waterbody type and size. Given the elusive nature of these species, we combined two detection methods, sign surveys and camera traps, to increase detection. We applied a Bayesian multi-method occupancy model that incorporates both detection methods to estimate a single occupancy probability for each target species. To evaluate the relative importance of aquatic and terrestrial factors on occupancy, we built candidate models of aquatic and terrestrial covariates separately to identify the top model of each category. Aquatic covariates were consistently more important in predicting occupancy for all species. However, a combined additive model of the top aquatic and terrestrial models provided the best overall predictions. Beaver, otter, and mink occupancy showed positive associations with large waterbodies, while muskrat occupancy was positively linked to lotic systems. Additionally, muskrat and mink occupancy were positively related to increasing distance from roads. Our results suggest that while aquatic structure is more influential for predicting semi-aquatic mammal occupancy, considering both aquatic and terrestrial factors yields the most accurate results. All four semi-aquatic mammal species we studied were impacted by aquatic type, highlighting the importance of considering both waterbody types to better understand their distribution.
Speakers
DW

Derek Whipkey

Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Quantifying the biodiversity benefit of forest cover in agricultural landscapes using environmental DNA metabarcoding
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Olivia P. Reves, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Mark A. Davis, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; Eric R. Larson, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA



ABSTRACT: The conversion of natural ecosystems to agriculture is a leading cause of habitat loss and threatens global biodiversity. For the past two centuries, the midwestern United States has experienced agricultural intensification and expansion, resulting in losses of natural ecosystems including tallgrass prairies, wetlands, and forests. Forest cover in states like Illinois has increased over the last several decades, partially due to agricultural conservation efforts like agroforestry, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and implementation of riparian buffers. However, does this increasing forest cover, intended to reduce nutrient and soil loss and benefit in-stream biota, also have benefits to terrestrial biodiversity? We used environmental DNA (eDNA), DNA collected and isolated from environmental samples, to evaluate how forest cover influences and potentially benefits terrestrial and semi-aquatic vertebrates in agricultural landscapes. In May and June of 2024, we collected eDNA samples from 47 low order streams over gradients of both riparian and whole-watershed forest cover from the U.S. National Land Cover Database. We then conducted eDNA metabarcoding of vertebrate communities using 12S and COI primers. Next, we used generalized linear mixed models to examine effects of forest cover on species richness, as well as non-metric multidimensional scaling to explore differences in community composition between sites of varying forest cover. Evaluating how terrestrial vertebrate communities respond to forest cover can shape management practices from riparian buffers to watershed-wide scales across agricultural regions.
Speakers
OR

Olivia Reves

Master's Student, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-04: Advancing Cold Water Beyond Trout: Characterizing Aquatic Biota and Habitat Across Thermal Gradients in Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Natalie Coash, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit;
Ashley Hrdina, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit;
Craig Paukert, US Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit;
Emily Tracey-Smith, Missouri Department of Conservation;
Jason Persinger, Missouri Department of Conservation


ABSTRACT: Missouri’s cold and cool water stream systems face ecological challenges due to historical alterations, land use, and chronic climate pressures. Effective management of these systems requires an applied science-based approach that considers fundamental processes such as thermal regimes, flow variability, and knowledge of surrounding land use, all of which influence aquatic habitat and biotic distribution. Water temperature, in particular, plays a critical role in shaping fish assemblages and stream biota, affecting physiology, behavior, reproduction, and overall habitat suitability. Current data limitations, including a lack of comprehensive water temperature data and insufficient aquatic community data, hinder our ability to characterize and conserve cold and cool water stream habitats effectively in Missouri.
This study aims to address data gaps by estimating the distribution and extent of significant cold water stream habitats in Missouri by characterizing fish, macroinvertebrate, and macrophyte communities within these habitats and their thermal transition zones, while complementing sampling with continuous seasonal temperature monitoring and eDNA analysis. Through field sampling and analysis of existing spatial data, this research will refine our understanding of cold, cool, and warm water stream systems statewide. While this study can be useful in identifying thermal refugia and the extent of trout habitat in Missouri; the outcomes of this study will directly benefit stream resource management and conservation by providing critical data pertaining to the unique cold and cool water biological communities beyond our current policy criteria and classification of waters “that support a naturally reproducing or stocked trout fishery”.
This improved characterization will support the Missouri Department of Conservation in guiding the development of habitat criteria relevant to resource management, influencing thermal designations under Missouri’s Water Quality Standards, and protecting species of conservation concern. Join us to review the project’s impetus, objectives, site selection, field methods, next steps, and key deliverables.
Speakers
NC

Natalie Coash

Coldwater Research Specialist, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-07: What could adaptive management of invasive bigheaded carp in the Tennessee and Cumberland river subbasins look like?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael E. Colvin, US Geological Survey; Caleb A. Aldridge, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Neal Jackson, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Max Post van der Burg, US Geological Survey


ABSTRACT: The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers (TNCR) invasive carp subbasin partnership (Partnership) comprises state and federal agencies tasked with coordinating invasive carp control efforts, identifying funding priorities, executing funded projects, and reporting project results annually. To better align subbasin program operations with management objectives the TNCR Partnership prioritized and funded a project to structure their decision making processes—our team facilitated execution of the project. Over several online and face-to-face meetings, we elicited the TNCR Partnership’s management objectives and alternative invasive carp management strategies. The TNCR Partnership produced a shared understanding of uncertainties associated with invasive carp management and monitoring, co-producing an systems model that projects the future state of invasive carp abundance and distribution. Additionally, the systems model can help the TNCR Partnership evaluate alternative management strategies by comparing whether the expected outcomes of implemented management actions align with management objectives. Varying uncertainties were identified throughout the elicitation process that could be reduced through research or monitoring. This talk focuses on how uncertainties, framed as hypotheses, can potentially be reduced by monitoring outcomes of management actions as part of an adaptive management program. Specifically, we discuss the minimal requirements to operationalize an invasive carp adaptive management program which aligns with existing funding and project management timelines. Lastly, we highlight lessons learned during this structured decision making process and provide generalizations applicable to other invasive carp subbasin partnerships.
Speakers
MC

Michael Colvin

Research Ecologist, US Geological Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-08: A PVA to Support Conservation Planning for Blanding’s Turtles in Iowa
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Elizabeth M. Lang* – Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University

Dr. Stephen J. Dinsmore – Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University

Dr. Anna M. Tucker – U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University

Dr. Karen E. Kinkead – Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) are declining throughout their range due to habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and nest depredation. They have high adult and juvenile survival and varying hatchling survival and fecundity rates. In Iowa, there is little knowledge about current vital rates among Blanding’s populations, so land managers do not know which management actions will be most effective to reverse declines. Determining the outcomes of conservation is vital to land managers to plan efficiently and cost-effectively. To bridge this knowledge gap, we monitored six Blanding’s populations from June 2020 to August 2024. These projects offer preliminary vital rates that we used to model population viability under several management scenarios. We developed an age-based matrix model and conducted a literature review to parameterize the model. When using vital rates from published studies we modeled an Iowa population that is declining slowly (λ = 0.98). In Iowa, there is a concern about small, isolated populations, lower hatchling survival, and lower fecundity rates than those noted in other studies. We developed multiple scenarios representing these hypotheses for the Iowa population as well as potential management actions, including head starting, nest protection, and habitat improvement. We compare projected population sizes and growth rate with cost of implementation to aid managers with identifying the most cost-effective conservation strategy for this imperiled species.
Speakers
EL

Elizabeth Lang

Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-09: Pragmatic Applications of Creel Surveys
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Susan Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: Creel surveys are often touted as extremely important to fisheries management as a way of understanding angling participation and characteristics. What types of information is collected during creel surveys, and, more importantly, how is it applied to fisheries management? Using Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park’s (KDWP) creel survey data, I will demonstrate the link between fisheries management goals and objectives, among other useful applications of creel surveys – including “supplemental questions” at the end of creel surveys as an alternative to online surveys. Through these applied examples, the audience will better understand how KDWP fisheries managers use creel survey and other human dimensions data to inform decision-making, engage with anglers, and maintain quality fishing opportunities.
Speakers
avatar for Susan Steffen

Susan Steffen

Human Dimensions Specialist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Human Dimensions Research, FisheriesData Analytics, Data MiningSAS, SAS Enterprise Guide, JMP
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-10: Testing the Waters: A Foray Into Floating Wetlands
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kara Tvedt, Missouri Department of Conservation; Frank Nelson, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Missouri has lost over 90% of its historic wetlands. Hence, many native aquatic and wetland plants have diminished over the last 200 years. At the same time the eutrophication of waterways and water bodies has increasingly led to more frequent harmful algal blooms across the state. One nature-based option for integrated watershed approaches is the strategic incorporation of reintroducing native wetland plants. In urban settings, where armored banklines and fluctuating water levels may prevent the opportunity of shoreline plantings, floating treatment wetlands may be considered. Although a growing number of cities in Europe and U.S. have been using this “green” solution to improve water quality, not all attempts are successful and can prevent the adoption and expansion of these strategies elsewhere. The Missouri Department of Conservation has been trouble-shooting potential hurdles, such as plant establishment and herbivory to increase success and implementation rates. The agency has also been experimenting with floating island designs that are plastic-free to account for the growing concern about plastic pollution and PFAS. This presentation will highlight our collaboration with partners and lessons learned from this pilot work.
Speakers
FN

Frank Nelson

Wetland Ecologist, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-11: Assessing the effects a managed landscape has on the burrow densities of the Piedmont Prairie Burrowing Crayfish in Sumter National Forest, South Carolina
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Eric Ng, West Liberty University; Kathryn Schulz, West Liberty University; Zanethia Barnett, US Forest Service; Zachary J. Loughman, West Liberty University



ABSTRACT: The piedmont region of the southeastern United States, once noted by early European explorers to host wide ranging prairie-like habitat, is now dominated by agricultural practices such as pine plantations. The Piedmont Prairie Burrowing Crayfish [(Distocambarus (Distocambarus) crockeri Hobbs & Carlson 1983)] is postulated to have adapted to a terrestrial environment in the piedmont of South Carolina. Nevertheless, the planting of pine throughout the region has removed important habitat elements, such as an open canopy, needed for other Distocambarus populations to persist. Contrarily, other silvicultural practices, such as complete tree removal, seem to benefit D. (D.) crockeri, a suggested prairie habitat specialist. Land management practices used to create prairie-like, open-canopy habitat in the piedmont region could produce a beneficial situation for the vulnerable Piedmont Prairie Burrowing Crayfish. To test this hypothesis, we compared the burrow densities of D. (D.) crockeri in various managed fields to forests within the Long Cane Ranger District of Sumter National Forest, SC. Burrow densities were quantified in 1m2 quadrats along 100m transects that were placed perpendicular to an ecotonal edge of a field and forest. We discovered that the average burrow densities of managed fields were more variable than the forests. However, the means of both averages were near to one another, indicating that maintaining some degree of habitat heterogeneity is important for the persistence of D. (D.) crockeri on a modern landscape.
Speakers
EN

Eric Ng

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-12: Wiski/Oski (River Cane): A Keystone Species in the Floodplain and in Chickasaw Culture
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:50pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kent Sanmann, Native Foodways Restoration Alliance

ABSTRACT: If we are to reimagine wetlands as sustainable water gardens, then we are going to need tools, both gardening tools and tools to process the produce. And are the gardens just for us, or other creatures as well? And while wetlands have been lost in modern times by agricultural conversion of floodplains, both agriculture and wetlands co-existed in a symbiotic relationship in the past.
One plant that played a vital role in all of these activities in the past is river cane. Although the plant is mainly associated with the southeastern United States, historically its range extended into the Midwest as well as Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. River cane grew extensively in the original homelands of the Chickasaw tribe and was used by them for a variety of purposes. After their removal to Oklahoma, where it was not as common as it was in the southeast, they continued to use it for limited purposes until today. This presentation will look at the historical uses of river cane by Chickasaws as well as modern uses, including its use in alleviating current problems along the Blue River, the only undammed river in Oklahoma and an important water source for south/central Oklahoma and the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:50pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

CONCURRENT TECHNICAL SESSIONS & ORGANIZED SYMPOSIA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Response of Fish Communities to Backwater Restoration in the Upper Mississippi River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Hannah Lenning, Iowa Department of Natural Resources/University of Nebraska at Kearney; Melissa Wuellner, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Seth Fopma, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Keith Koupal, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Jayne Jonas-Bratten, University of Nebraska at Kearney

ABSTRACT: This research evaluates the impacts of restoring backwaters, a habitat type in large floodplain rivers that are essential for maintaining their high diversity of fauna. The restoration of backwaters has been an integral part of managing fish populations on the Upper Mississippi River since 1990 and is a major component of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program. This research looks at a 2013 restoration project that expanded on the traditional approach by restoring multiple backwaters in a single effort, resulting in 63 acres of backwater channels dredged within four backwaters, proximal in space (within 14-km reach) and time (2013-2017). Here, we evaluated whether benefits of restoration (increased catch or shifts in size structure) are observed beyond project boundaries and identified species that are indicators of backwater restoration, comparing two river reaches using a BACI approach. The river reach containing restored backwaters (Pool 12) is the Impact area, and a downstream river reach without restored backwaters (Pool 13) is the Control area. Historical, day electrofishing data was utilized, with the before period including sampling years prior to any construction (2006 – 2012) and the after period including years after construction concluded (2018 – 2024). For representative species, relative abundance was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was conducted to visualize the similarities and differences between fish assemblages of each BACI group. Finally, indicator species analysis was conducted on each BACI group, which identified indicators of river reaches with and without this approach to backwater restoration. Understanding the scalar impact of Pool 12 restoration and its impact on fish assemblages informs the future planning of restoration projects to maximize program resources and efficiency.
Speakers
HL

Hannah Lenning

Administrative Intern, Iowa Department of Natural Resources/University of Nebraska at Kearney
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Smallmouth Bass Demographics in the Kaskaskia and Vermilion Rivers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ethan T. Scott, Eastern Illinois University; Daniel R. Roth, Eastern Illinois University; Eden L. Effert-Fanta, Eastern Illinois University; and Robert E. Colombo, Eastern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the population dynamics of Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Kaskaskia and Vermilion Rivers in Illinois, comparing supplementally stocked populations with naturally reproduced ones. Stocking efforts in the Kaskaskia River have aimed to support recreational fisheries for over a decade. Yet, the contribution of stocked fish to long-term population sustainability has not been fully assessed. In contrast, the Vermilion River supports natural recruitment, and recent dam removals have improved fish diversity and habitat quality, potentially benefiting the abundance of sportfish like Smallmouth Bass. Our primary objectives are to evaluate the relative abundance and demographics of Smallmouth Bass populations in both rivers and assess dynamic rate functions such as age, growth, and mortality. To achieve these objectives, we conducted surveys at 12 sites in each river using pulsed-DC boat electrofishing during the spring and fall. All fish were measured, weighed, and tagged with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Pectoral fin rays were collected as a non-lethal aging structure, and microchemistry analysis will be used to identify recruitment sources by examining elemental ratios. Initial results from the Kaskaskia River suggest that this population is primarily supported by stocking, with Smallmouth Bass most abundant in areas where stocking occurs, particularly near the Shelbyville Dam. This study will provide critical insights into the effectiveness of supplemental stocking in enhancing Smallmouth Bass populations while identifying the natural factors that contribute to successful recruitment in free-flowing systems like the Vermilion River. By comparing two rivers with distinct recruitment mechanisms and environmental stressors, this research will inform more effective management strategies tailored to each system. The findings will also offer broader applications for managing Smallmouth Bass fisheries across similar Midwestern River systems.
Speakers
ES

Ethan Scott

Graduate assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Assessing white-tailed deer body condition using trail camera photos
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jamie Goethlich, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Tim Van Deelen, University of Wisconsin-Madison

ABSTRACT: The basis of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management has traditionally focused on population size, which is important for establishing harvest goals for broad-scale deer management efforts. While population estimates are important for determining the number of individuals to harvest to reduce, maintain, or increase populations, population size does not provide detailed information on the health of the population. However, herd health is a major consideration for many contemporary deer management situations, and deer health is a common concern among deer managers, deer hunters, and people opposed to deer hunting. Although health and welfare are commonly used in the livestock industry and captive wildlife settings, animal welfare is an emerging segment of wildlife research. Recently, Smiley et al. (2020) created a technique to assess body condition using photographs of captured deer, which they validated by comparing body scores to ingesta-free body fat. We tested the efficacy of pairing their visual body condition estimation method with trail camera photos of deer in suburbs of the Northeast. We found that trail camera photos could easily be used for assessing body condition, and body condition scores were generally consistent among two independent observers. Additionally, we found body condition scores varied significantly across seasons, among sexes, and between does with and without fawns at heel. Lastly, we created a detailed training pamphlet to be used as a guide for researchers and citizen scientists. We conclude that this is a quick and easy method that can be useful in situations where deer managers want information about herd health/welfare but attaining robust sample sizes of harvested deer may be unattainable (e.g., unhunted urban populations, small private properties, etc.).
Speakers
JG

Jamie Goethlich

PhD Candidate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Inter-specific differences in waterfowl responses to hunting pressure and environmental conditions at an autumn stopover
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Abigail G Blake-Bradshaw, Forbes Biological Station; Therin M Bradshaw, Forbes Biological Station; Andrew D Gilbert, Forbes Biological Station; Joshua M Osborn, Forbes Biological Station; Elizabeth A Beilke, Forbes Biological Station; Chelsea S Kross, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Auriel MV Fournier, Forbes Biological Station

ABSTRACT: Hunting pressure and associated disturbance influences many aspects of wildlife behavior. Disturbance by hunters influences the timing of relocation movements of waterfowl and could drive departures from stopover locations during autumn. Additionally, environmental conditions, including short-term changes in weather or habitat availability, may necessitate shifts in activity patterns, alter departure decisions, or impact individual susceptibility to harvest. Thus, wildlife professionals are interested in understanding what drives autumn-winter movements and migration events of waterfowl; therefore, we evaluated the extent to which hunting pressure and environmental conditions influenced daily flights and departure from an autumn stopover location. Our study took place in of the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River Valley, IL, USA. To evaluate the influence of “hunting pressure” on waterfowl behavior and departure from a stopover location, we placed 20 Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) across our study area to quantify daily shotgun volleys. We then captured 38 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and 26 green-winged teal (A. crecca; hereafter teal) at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, IL, USA. We deployed GPS-GSM transmitters on both age (i.e., juveniles and adults) and sex classes (i.e., males and females) and tracked both species during autumn and winter 2022–2024. We quantified the number of daily local-scale flights and related it to local environmental conditions and hunting pressure as indexed by ARUs. The median number of local-scale flights was 3 (range: 0–18) and was similar between species. Additionally, we identified the day individuals departed the Illinois River Valley stopover area by quantifying when they passed 40°N southwards, which marked the southern extent of our study area. In total, 24 teal and 8 mallards departed the study area, and as hunting pressure increased, teal were more likely to depart southwards. Preliminary results indicate mallards and teal responded to environmental conditions and hunting pressure disparately.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-04: Heritage Brook Trout program in southeast Minnesota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Doug Dieterman, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Brian Beyerl, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Shawn Haase, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; John Hoxmeier, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Loren Miller, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Jason Roloff, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Vaughn Snook, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Dan Spence, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Melissa Wagner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis, were the only salmonid native to the cold-water streams of southeast Minnesota but were presumed extirpated following European settlement and subsequent stream degradation. Research beginning in the mid-2000s identified genetic structure patterns that deviated from known stocking histories but consistent with expected geography of native populations, leading to the identification of a presumed native “Heritage” Brook Trout strain. Distribution of this Heritage strain was limited to three stream drainages. In an effort to better manage and expand the distribution of Heritage Brook Trout; managers, culturists and researchers have since implemented several novel approaches including removal of non-native Brown Trout; collection, propagation and stocking of wild Heritage Brook Trout; and implemented new studies to compare performance of Heritage and feral Brook Trout strains in streams. This talk will provide an overview and highlight the current status of these efforts as well as, the many challenges that have arisen.
Speakers
DD

Doug Dieterman

Research Biologist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-07: Evaluating Invasive Carp Management on the Illinois Waterway Through Adaptive ‘Multi-Agency Monitoring’
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Spear, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station (IRBS); Brandon Harris, IRBS; Levi Solomon, IRBS; Kris Maxson, IRBS; Andrya Whitten Harris, IRBS; Andrew Mathis, IRBS; Sam Schaick, IRBS; Jesse Williams, IRBS; Jason DeBoer, IRBS; Eric Hine, Illinois Natural History Survey, Great Rivers Field Station (GRFS); John Chick, GRFS; Jim Lamer, IRBS

ABSTRACT: The upper reaches of the Illinois Waterway are a critical containment threshold for invasive carps as they threaten to invade the Laurentian Great Lakes. Monitoring these carps – and evaluating the success of management efforts – has become the new focus of the Multi-Agency Monitoring program, a collaborative effort across state, federal, and partner agencies (discussed earlier in this session) originally designed for community-wide monitoring but recently adapted for invasive species management. Through careful analysis of the data, intentional re-allocation of resources, and effective communication across partner agencies, the MAM program has repositioned itself as a quantitative resource for evaluating the success of management efforts to contain invasive carps and prevent their entry into Lake Michigan. Here, we explore the first five years of MAM data and touch on fisheries topics including hyperstability, density-dependence, food web dynamics, and imperfect detection. A large, latitudinal gradient in carp density along the river allows for powerful space-for-time comparisons. Intense invasive carp removal efforts highlight stark contrasts between fisheries-dependent and fisheries-independent data sources. Clues from the health of the native community may offer complementary evidence for the trajectory of the invasive carp population, placing renewed value on maintaining the original community-wide sampling approach of MAM. As MAM answers this call to serve the short-term invasive species management goals, preserving the long-term integrity of its standardized sampling framework remains a priority that will require thoughtful, intentional, and iterative changes to the design and protocols of the program. Early results indicate that community-wide, fisheries-independent data such as MAM can flexibly serve shifting management priorities while maintaining long-term perspectives, a successful example of “adaptive monitoring.”
Speakers
MS

Michael Spear

Quantitative Ecologist, Illinois River Biological Station
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-08: Effects of Prescribed Fire and Mowing on Smooth Greensnake Detection and Nesting Activity
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Allison Sacerdote-Velat, Chicago Academy of Sciences

ABSTRACT: Smooth Greensnakes (Opheodrys vernalis) are small-bodied, oviparous, grassland dependent colubrids, that are declining throughout much of the Midwest due to grassland loss and degradation. We used a before-after-control-impact (BACI) approach to examine effects of prescribed fire, burn interval, and mowing for shrub control, on Smooth Greensnake detection, and nesting activity. This approach parses out temporal effects from management effects. Pre-management data were collected in two grassland sites from multiple long-term monitoring plots. Prescribed fire and mowing were implemented across study plots in both grasslands while maintaining unmanaged plots as controls. Smooth Greensnake detection was greater in post-burn plots than in the control or mowed plots. However, nest abundance decreased following burning, and did not reach pre-management levels until after two to three years of post-burn recovery. In contrast, Smooth Greensnakes continued to nest in post-mow plots with no difference in nest abundance pre- and post-mowing. In Site 1, snake detection and nest abundance did not differ between the control and the mowed plot. In Site 2, willow encroachment in the control plot reduced Smooth Greensnake activity overall. Subsequent burns occurred in Site 2, one year after the initial burn, and in Site 1, three years after the initial burn, allowing further examination of the effects of fire interval. Again, we observed greater snake detection, but reduced nest abundance following the burns. Burning significantly reduced nesting activity for Smooth Greensnakes, which we attribute to the loss of vegetative thatch, which may help retain critical moisture in nesting sites. These results have conservation implications for recruitment based on fire intervals and the extent of burn units. Snake responses to habitat management may be influenced by aspects of reproductive requirements, reiterating the need for a mosaic-approach to management, and including variation in fire intervals in managed grasslands.
Speakers
AS

Allison Sacerdote-Velat

Curator of Biology & Herpetology, Chicago Academy of Sciences
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-09: Species Preferences on Angler Motivational Factors in Kansas
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Sarah Ulrichsen, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Christopher Chizinski, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

ABSTRACT: Understanding the factors that motivate anglers to go fishing is crucial for effective fisheries management and conservation efforts. People's engagement with fishing is deeply influenced by their motivations—a complex interplay of the needs, desires, and goals that propel people to engage in recreation. We analyzed anglers' motivations to seek their primary species—including trophy fishing, keeping and eating the catch, identity, social interaction, and gear use—across various species preferences, such as Bass, Catfish, Walleye, and panfish. Data were collected via a web-based survey distributed to a stratified random sample of licensed anglers across Kansas. We sent invitations to 7500 licensed anglers and had 771 total responses (a 13% response rate). Preliminary results indicate significant differences in motivational factors when comparing species preferences. Walleye anglers are more motivated by keeping the fish they catch and liking the taste of their preferred species. In contrast, Bass anglers place a much lower value on reaching the bag limit, fishing for nutrition, and keeping the fish they catch. Among all species, anglers placed the most importance on choosing a fishing location because of the presence of their preferred fish species. These results highlight the importance of species-specific management strategies catering to the angling community's diverse motivations. Through understanding differentiated motivations, managers can be provided with critical insights into the importance of various motivational factors of recreational fishing as they relate to sought-after fish species, helping to inform the development of targeted regulations and conservation strategies that address the diverse needs and values of fishing communities in the Midwest.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-10: rom Past Failures to Future Successes: Efforts to Establish Aquatic Vegetation in Arkansas Reservoirs.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jeremy Risley, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Sean Lusk, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Eric Naas, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission


ABSTRACT: Black bass anglers in Arkansas have long advocated for establishing aquatic vegetation in reservoirs with minimal macrophyte coverage to improve black bass populations in those systems. Despite facing various challenges along the way, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has remained dedicated to fulfilling these anglers' requests by introducing or restoring aquatic vegetation in those reservoirs. In the early 2000s, the AGFC tried introducing submerged aquatic vegetation in Bull Shoals Lake, a 19,504-hectare reservoir in north-central Arkansas. The approach involved planting vegetation in the substrate and protecting it with exclusion cages. Unfortunately, this endeavor was impeded by water fluctuations greater than 10 meters and turtle herbivory, which hindered the successful establishment of the vegetation. However, this failure led to potential successes. In the following years, the AGFC faced another vegetation-related challenge at DeGray Lake, a 5,585-hectare reservoir in west-central Arkansas. A decline in vegetation led to a noticeable reduction in the black bass population. This time, AGFC biologists took a different approach and created floating enclosures known as "Arkansas Floating Cubes" to aid in the spread of aquatic vegetation via wind and wave action and impeding herbivory. The deployment of these structures aided in the increase in vegetation density and subsequently improved the black bass populations over time. Encouraged by this success, the AGFC has expanded the use of the Arkansas Floating Cubes to two other highland reservoirs, Beaver and Greers Ferry Lakes, aiming to replicate the positive outcomes observed in DeGray Lake. The AGFC remains dedicated to employing innovative methods to establish or restore aquatic vegetation in reservoirs with little or no macrophyte coverage, ultimately benefiting sport fish populations like black bass and enhancing angler satisfaction in Arkansas.
Speakers
JR

JEREMY RISLEY

Black Bass Program Coordinator, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-11: Shelter Preferences of Cambarus robustus, a Surrogate Study for the Federally Threatened Cambarus callainus
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Hannah Holbert, West Liberty University; Zackary Graham, West Liberty University; Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University

ABSTRACT: There is no standard for individual captive husbandry of Cambaridae crayfish species, despite captive propagation being an important factor in reintroduction efforts. The Big Sandy Crayfish (Cambarus callainus) and the Guyandotte River Crayfish (Cambarus veteranus) are recognized under the Endangered Species Act as Threatened and Endangered, respectively. Active propagation projects are underway for C. callainus, but standards are still being developed. In order to set a baseline protocol for these federally listed Cambarus species, a shelter preference study was conducted using the Big Water Crayfish (Cambarus robustus). C. robustus is a large-bodied, tertiary burrowing crayfish species native to the eastern coast of the United States and Ontario, Canada. C. robustus commonly occurs in lotic environments and prefers large slab boulders for shelter. Due to similar life history strategies and habitat preferences, this species serves as a potential surrogate for related species such as C. callainus. 31 individual crayfish took part in two trials each, where shelter choices included a natural rock shelter and a piece of clear acrylic, or a natural shelter and tinted acrylic. Trials were conducted for 24-hours, where shelter usage and behavior were monitored through video recordings. Our results suggest that C. robustus will use all shelter types, although natural shelters were occupied more frequently overall. Sex and size of the individuals had minimal or no influence on shelter use. Future research should continue to investigate optimal husbandry practices and rearing techniques for Cambarus species where propagation efforts are necessary.
Speakers
HH

Hannah Holbert

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:50pm CST

S-12: 𐓲𐓟𐓷𐓘𐓵𐓟 (tse wathe): Osage Culinary Traditions and Food Sovereignty, Veronica Pipestem
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:50pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Veronica Pipestem, Native Foodways Restoration Alliance

ABSTRACT: Yonkapin, Nelumbo lutea, is an important part of contemporary 𐓷𐓘𐓻𐓘𐓻𐓟 (Osage) culinary tradition as it still eaten today during ceremonies and other community activities. We have a long, documented history of eating yonkapin and its importance as a food source has been well documented. While it is primarily considered a feast food, its rarity may be due to larger, systemic issues that are related to colonization, including land and habitat loss, confinement to reservations, the introduction of rations and other government food sources, etc. This presentation will provide a brief overview of Osage culinary traditions as it relates to 𐓲𐓟𐓷𐓘𐓵𐓟 (American Lotus), its place as an indicator of Osage food sovereignty, and efforts and issues related to making it a more regular food source for Osages and other Native communities.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:50pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Characterizing Riverine Habitat through the Use of UAS and Side-Scan Sonar
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tyler Hessler, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri; Craig Paukert, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri; Yi Shang, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri; Zhenduo Zhai, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri; Shiqi Wang, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri; Jason Persinger, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: The use of side-scan sonar has seen a dramatic increase in use in a variety of studies including those with the aim to characterize fish habitat. Side-scan sonar has been used to quantify habitat for well over a decade now and has seen promise in a variety of aquatic systems from coastal reefs to backwater bayous. The use of UAS (also known as aerial drones) has also seen more frequent use in mapping features in aquatic systems. In our study, we propose the use of side-scan sonar and UAS to better standardize and streamline the collection of fish-relevant habitat data in non-wadeable, mid-sized rivers. Traditionally, identifying habitat from side-scan sonar and aerial imagery was a manual process that could take several hours to days to complete a site. The amount of data that can be quickly accumulated in riverine systems can be daunting, but the use of AI and other software may streamline the implementation of these data and provide another option for a manager’s toolbelt that can increase confidence associated with making informed decisions that rely on accurate habitat data. To date, we have conducted 25 side-scan surveys across 8 sites across the state of Missouri totaling over 80 river kilometers. In addition, we have conducted 30 UAS surveys across these 8 sites as well as another site just used for UAS imagery. Developing a standardized protocol using side-scan sonar and UAS with the power of AI modeling could significantly increase the quality of data collected in mid-sized rivers and also decrease the costs associated with collecting habitat data and delineating imagery manually.
Speakers
TH

Tyler Hessler

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Exploring Assessment Techniques for Minnesota's Newest Sport Fish: the Burbot
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kristen Patterson: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Loren Miller, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Beth Holbrook, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Chris Smith, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Derek Bahr, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Burbot (Lota lota) are a unique fish in Minnesota as the only freshwater member of the cod family Gadidae and the only under ice spawner. There has been a variable history of appreciation across the state from a productive commercial fishery to some generalized opinion as “trash fish”. Although relatively little is known about populations in Minnesota, Burbot was recently designated a game fish and will have a bag limit set in 2025. Minnesota DNR staff have noted increased Burbot angling interest and have expressed concerns about current exploitation and future potential impacts on area lakes if angling pressure continues to build. Burbot are not well represented with methods employed in current fisheries assessments, and generally targeted with methods outside of standard protocols, e.g. hoop or trammel netting, set or long lining. Without employing intensive sampling efforts, we aim to use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine whether Burbot are currently showing signs of genetic depression in popular fisheries and if this could be a useful method to gain population level information moving forward. We will share our current knowledge on Burbot populations in Minnesota, preliminary genetic analysis results, and welcome input and discussion for future study and management of this cold-water fish.
Speakers
KP

Kristen Patterson

Fisheries Research Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Wildlife Track: An assessment of small mammal monitoring methods within restored prairies in Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Bianca Saftoiu, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Dr. Mark Johnson, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory; Patrick Wolff, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory; Dr. Jinelle Sperry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

ABSTRACT: Tall-grass prairies are among the most threatened ecosystems in North America with less than 0.01% remaining in the state of Illinois. Effective prairie restoration in the Midwest is thus essential and requires that the health of the ecosystem be managed by re-establishing functional ecological communities, including prairie-associated wildlife species. Small mammals serve as an effective taxonomic group to monitor given their importance to ecological functioning across trophic levels and their sensitivity to habitat disturbance. Various passive and invasive survey methods have been used to evaluate mammalian species because of challenges associated with varying body size, temporal activity patterns, and cryptic behaviors. In this study we compare three distinct methods including live trapping, bucket camera traps, and airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling for monitoring small mammal communities in restored prairies. In 2023 we surveyed ten prairie sites in Illinois and found that live trapping allowed for more specific identification to the species level while bucket cameras generally detected a greater species richness. We were also able to detect vertebrate DNA within the ten prairies using eDNA methods, however, the quantity of DNA varied across sites. Based upon these preliminary results, we can infer that a combination of both traditional and modern methods will offer a more comprehensive assessment of small mammal community composition within restored prairies.
Speakers
BS

Bianca Saftoiu

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

Wildlife Track: Surfing the Blue Wave: Is blue-winged teal resource selection influenced by fine-scale variation in wetland availability?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jeffrey Edwards, Missouri Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri; Dr. Lisa Webb, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; Dr. Drew Fowler, U.S. Geological Survey, Louisiana Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; Paul Link, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries; Dr. Chris Nicolai, Delta Waterfowl

ABSTRACT: Migration is an important life history strategy that many waterbirds employ to exploit seasonally available resources and maximize fitness. However, migratory events are energetically demanding, and waterbirds use stopover sites during migration to rebuild energetic reserves. During spring migration, habitat quality at available stopover sites has the potential to exert cross-seasonal effects on breeding season population demographics. Wetland availability during the migratory period can be temporally dynamic within and across years as well as spatially variable throughout the migration corridor. Only recently has quantifying the spatial and temporal extent of available wetlands at broad scales become possible with remote sensing technologies. However, little is known about how temporally and spatially dynamic wetland availability may influence waterfowl resource selection during the non-breeding season. In this study, we collected movement data from 350 blue-winged teal (Spatula discors) marked with GPS-GSM transmitters to assess the effects of inundated wetland availability on blue-winged teal resource selection during the autumn and spring migrations (2019 – 2024). We used the Dynamic World dataset to quantify temporally and spatially dynamic inundated wetlands and intersected this data layer with landcover types from the National Land Cover Database. Combining these data sources, we will use an integrated step selection function to evaluate how blue-winged teal resource selection varies with inundated wetland availability at two-week intervals. The spatial extent of each two-week interval will be based on sample wide kernel density estimates of use. Results from this study can help inform wetland conservation and management practices for early autumn and late spring migrating waterbirds such as blue-winged teal. Specifically, these results can inform how early autumn wetland inundation and maintaining water into spring may support waterbirds whose life history strategies include this migration phenology.
Speakers
JE

Jeffrey Edwards

Graduate Research Assistant, Missouri Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-04: Brook Trout Management in the Iowa Driftless Region
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Siepker, Iowa DNR; Caleb Schnitzler, Iowa DNR; Dan Kirby, Iowa DNR

ABSTRACT: Although Brook Trout were likely native to Northeast Iowa, early degradation of streams led to widespread extirpations along with regulations and stocking to restore and maintain populations. Brook Trout were a common part of early fish stockings, but disappeared from Iowa stocking records by 1956. Brook Trout remained largely absent from the trout program until 1993 when fingerling and catchable Brook Trout stockings resumed. The ancestry of Brook Trout used for early stockings is generally unknown; however, Brook Trout used for fingerling and catchable trout production that began in 1993 were acquired as eggs from the St. Croix Falls fish hatchery in Wisconsin. The first genetic evaluation of Iowa Brook Trout suggested the South Pine population was a unique population, but with low genetic diversity. As a result, South Pine fingerlings were used to restore Iowa Brook Trout fisheries beginning in the mid-1990s. Today, restoration stockings are conducted throughout northeast Iowa to expand wild Brook Trout populations.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-07: Exploring tools to evaluate invasive carp management success across different density gradients and river systems
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: James T. Lamer; Mike Spear; Brandon Harris; Sam Schaick; Jesse Williams; Andrew Mathis; Emily Szott; Kaiden Vinavich; Levi Solomon; Kris Maxson; Andrya Whitten; Jason DeBoer, Illinois Natural History Survey; Allison Lenaerts; Eli Lampo, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Invasive carp can have detrimental effects on native ecosystems as they become established. Commercial and informed contracted harvest are currently the most impactful management strategies to reduce numbers and spread. However, evaluating effectiveness of this harvest to determine the proportion of the population impacted to help set management targets and allocate effort has been challenging due to invasive carp long-range movements, episodic recruitment, and difficulty obtaining population estimates through traditional means. Nevertheless, the need to assess population abundance or changes in relative abundance is still necessary to help guide and prioritize management efforts, help forecast future markets needed to grow the infrastructure and demand, and to understand dynamics and threats at the leading-edge populations. This talk provides an overview of some current invasive carp management evaluation tools being explored on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers by the state of Illinois and other state and federal partners. The choice of evaluation technique used varies depending on the state of invasion and the unique properties of each river system. In low density areas, techniques being explored include fisheries-independent monitoring in designated carp-likely habitat strata for silver carp and black carp, relative weight density-dependent baseline deviations in invasive carp and native surrogates, telemetry guided removals and harvest estimates from tagged fish in closed populations, and master chronologies to detect changes in growth over time. In high-density areas, several of the techniques used in low-density areas are combined with fisheries-independent monitoring and the resulting relative abundance estimates are grounded in density-dependent metrics while recognizing and accounting for differences in habitat strata and reach-specific structure.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-08: Factors that Influence Capture and Size at Capture of Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and Dekay’s Brownsnakes (Storeia dekayi) in Northern Indiana
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nicholas F Sekits, Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago; Sara Ruane, Field Museum of Natural History; Joseph R. Milanovich, Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago

ABSTRACT: Midwestern snake populations are in decline therefore an understanding of their ecology is paramount. This understanding is often lacking since snakes are cryptic and difficult to capture. Many sampling techniques have arisen to combat this such as drift fence-trap configurations and coverboards with varying levels of investment for researchers. Our study examined whether time of sampling, type of coverboard (rubber mats or carpet squares), and temperature influenced the number of captures or size of individuals at capture for two common species of snakes found in northern Indiana, Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and Dekay’s Brownsnakes (Storeria dekayi). We deployed 30 coverboards (20 carpet and 10 rubber mats) at 20 sites across a 12-county area in northern Indiana. Coverboards were checked every 14 to 28 days and all snakes captured were identified and measured. We used general linear models to examine what factors predicted captures and size at capture. Our results show that month significantly predicted captures of T. sirtalis, but not S. dekayi, where T. sirtalis were captured at higher rates in July and August compared to April, May and June. Size of snakes at capture was predicted by month for both T. sirtalis and S. dekayi (and temperature for T. sirtalis) with captured snakes being significantly smaller in August compared to other months. We found no significant difference in captures between coverboard types. These results suggest both species show no preference between board types, T. sirtalis use cover at higher rates in July and August, and utilization of cover by larger snakes of both species declines in August.
Speakers
NS

Nicholas Sekits

Graduate Student, Loyola University Chicago
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-09: Who fishes in Indiana: Population segments as management tools
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Josef Hrabowski, Ball State University; Sandy Clark-Kolaks, Indiana DNR; Emily McCallen, Indiana DNR; Len Hunt, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; Faezeh Soleimani, Ball State University ;Paul Venturelli, Ball State University

ABSTRACT: Recreational fishing license sales have been declining for almost a decade in many US states, greatly impacting management funding. A detailed knowledge of the license buying patterns of specific population segments could allow agencies to tailor their marketing and management more efficiently. We used the ESRI Tapestry system to identify life-mode-specific, spatial and temporal patterns of license sales in Indiana between 2012 and 2022. Each life mode describes a population segment based on demographic (e.g., age and household makeup), economic (e.g., income and profession) and behavior (e.g., recreational preferences and affinity to technology). We found that the majority of license holders in Indiana in all years were older people living in more rural communities. However, younger urban population segments had the largest increase in license sales during 2020 (i.e., during the COVID pandemic). This suggests that the younger urban population segment is interested in fishing but does not have the time for this hobby during normal years. We also calculated churn rates by market segment as well as identify recruitment, retention and reactivation trends. We saw that while older people make up a higher proportion of total license purchases, they were more likely to drop in or out, while younger segments who a higher consistency. We also examined spatial patterns of license purchases while taking the observed differences of market segments into account, to identify possible geographic influences. We found that the availability of boat ramps and boat docks had the greatest influence on license purchases. Information gathered through the analysis of purchasing patterns by population segment will allow agencies to identify barriers to fishing, and tailor marketing, communications, and management to specific segments.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-10: Lake DeGray Vegetation Re-Establishment Project – Vegetation Mapping
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Scott Jones - University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

ABSTRACT: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission initiated a vegetation re-establishment project on Lake DeGray in 2019 utilizing up to 22 stationary floating vegetation dispersion cages, termed “Arkansas Cubes,” loaded primarily with coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum). A concurrent project using commercially-available down and side-imaging sonar systems was implemented to track the expansion of naturally-rebounding and emerging colonies in sixteen sites featuring Arkansas Cubes and five sites without. Submerged aquatic vegetation was detected throughout lower Lake DeGray from 377 to 405 feet MSL, with coontail detected most frequently between 388 to 397 feet MSL. Coontail was observed in ten of sixteen ‘Cube sites. Eight of those sites had coontail directly underneath the ‘Cubes that did not exist before the ‘Cubes were installed. This is compelling evidence that the ‘Cubes have influenced the development of new coontail colonies. However, significant natural regrowth clouds the true impact of the ‘Cubes as coontail has also been observed in four of five ‘Cube-less sites. Insights on general colonization patterns observed in Lake DeGray will be discussed to help guide surveillance programs on other reservoirs selected for Arkansas Cube trials.
Speakers
SJ

Scott Jones

Small Impoundment Extension Specialist, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-11: Status survey for Banded Mudbug (Lacunicambarus freudensteini) and Lonesome Gravedigger (Lacunicambarus mobilensis) in Southeastern Mississippi
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Calvin R. Rezac, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks

ABSTRACT: In 2020, a genetic and morphological evaluation of the Rusty Gravedigger (Lacunicambarus miltus) by Glon et al. supported the elevation of two new species, the Banded Mudbug (L. freudensteini) and the Lonesome Gravedigger (L. mobilensis). Based on the published study by Glon et al., both species occur only in Mississippi and Alabama and were thought to be confined between the Pascagoula and Mobile Rivers. The reported range of both species is currently less than 1,000 km2 and are among the most-narrow ranged species within the state of Mississippi. With only 5 known localities for each species in the state, further efforts to determine the status and complete distribution were needed. Herein, we report on the results from a burrowing crayfish survey at novel sites within and outside the known range of both focal species in Southeastern Mississippi. Surveys took place between January-August 2024, and at each site we collected crayfish using hand excavation, slurp guns, and dip nets. Additional notes on habitat, burrow abundance, and soil composition were also recorded. In total, 104 sites (22 via boat) were surveyed and 21 species were captured including both target species. Banded Mudbug was capture at 11 sites within the known range of the species; however, we failed to expand the species into notable areas outside its range. Lonesome Gravedigger was found at 16 sites, but was notably found in areas more north and west than previously reported. The results of the survey help to improve the understanding of Mississippi burrowing crayfish distribution and status in the state. Notes on other newsworthy crayfish research at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science may also be discussed.
Speakers
CR

Calvin Rezac

Aquatic Biologist; Curator of Decapods, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Built to Last? Evaluating the Condition of Fish Habitat Structures in Missouri’s Ozark Reservoirs
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tyler Ham, Missouri Department of Conservation; Shane Bush, Missouri Department of Conservation; Nathan Recktenwald, Missouri Department of Conservation; Christopher Brooke, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: As many reservoirs constructed throughout the USA continue to age, the quality of the fish habitat in these reservoirs has experienced a concomitant decline. Fish and wildlife agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and concerned anglers have all sought to supplement natural fish habitat by installing habitat structures to concentrate fish and improve angler catch rates. In Missouri reservoirs, these structures are primarily composed of submerged cedar, hardwood, or mixed cedar and hardwood trees. Being natural materials, these structures decay over time and require maintenance to provide adequate fish cover. To that end, there exists a paucity of knowledge on the physical longevity of these structures installed in Missouri reservoirs. The objectives of this study were to define the current condition and longevity of fish habitat structures in Missouri reservoirs and to provide management recommendations for the most efficient long-term maintenance and enhancement of habitat structures. Sonar imaging was employed on Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Harry S. Truman Reservoir in Missouri to generate qualitative categorical condition scores for fish habitat structures. In each reservoir a spectrum of structure types was assessed that represented multiple year classes spanning over a decade. Condition scores were used to further categorize structures based on maintenance needs. We also examined the influence of depth, location, and material on structure longevity. This project focused on evaluating the controllable factors that can improve effectiveness and efficiency of fish habitat projects. Identifying the impact of these factors on fish habitat enhancement projects will have direct application to future decision making and benefit anglers using Missouri reservoirs.
Speakers
TH

Tyler Ham

Sport Fish Ecologist, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Recruitment of Channel Catfish stocked as advanced fingerlings and yearlings in Ohio reservoirs
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Stephen M. Tyszko, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Jeremy J. Pritt, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Richard D. Zweifel, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Stuart A. Ludsin, The Ohio State University; Joseph D. Conroy, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Jay Kelly, The Ohio State University; Michael Figueroa, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

ABSTRACT: Stocking yearling Channel Catfish to mitigate perceived predation by Largemouth Bass has long been the convention despite greater costs compared to stocking smaller life stages. We quantified recruitment of stocked cohorts of Channel Catfish and investigated the effects of stocking life stage (fingerling vs. yearling), Largemouth Bass density (low vs. high), and their interaction on the percentage of a cohort recruiting to the adult population and fishery. Marked (magnetized wire tags) cohorts of advanced fingerling and yearling Channel Catfish were concurrently stocked into reservoirs with low (7 reservoirs, CPUE < 100 fish/h) and high-Largemouth Bass density (5 reservoirs, CPUE > 100 fish/h) populations. We sampled these reservoir Channel Catfish populations with baited, tandem hoop nets 7–8 years after stocking and estimated recruitment. We used a linear mixed model with reservoir as a random effect to test whether cohort recruitment differed by life stage stocked, Largemouth Bass density, or their interaction. Overall, the mean percentage of Channel Catfish recruiting to the adult population and fishery in cohorts stocked as advanced fingerlings was 2.4% (SE = 0.69%) and the mean percentage in cohorts stocked as yearlings was 10.6% (SE = 2.8%). Largemouth Bass density did not have a significant effect on recruitment (P = 0.43) while the effects of stocking life stage (P < 0.001) and the interaction between Largemouth Bass density and stocking life stage (P < 0.003) were significant. The highest recruitment occurred in cohorts stocked as yearlings in reservoirs with high densities of Largemouth Bass. Stocking advanced fingerling Channel Catfish can produce viable year classes in reservoirs with low or high densities of Largemouth Bass. In addition to higher cost, stocking yearling Channel Catfish may result in excessive densities and slow growth.
Speakers
ST

Stephen Tyszko

Fisheries Biologist, ODNR, Division of Wildlife
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Use of thermal-imaging drones to assess assumptions of density estimation techniques
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: David Delaney, Iowa State University
Tyler Harms, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Stephen Dinsmore, Iowa State University


ABSTRACT: Techniques to estimate density of unmarked animals are logistically feasible and allow sampling over greater spatial extents than more intensive methods, such as mark-recapture. However, accuracy of density estimates relies on the validity of assumptions about the study system. We conducted a thermal-imaging drone survey at night to test the validity of two assumptions for conducting distance sampling on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Iowa via nocturnal spotlight surveys. First, we tested whether deer are randomly distributed with respect to gravel roads, which represent line transects in our study. Second, we quantified the portion of the population that occurs in unsampleable locations (i.e., within forest) to estimate availability bias. Preliminary analyses suggest deer do not avoid gravel roads but do responsively move away from observers prior to being detected, leading to potential bias in estimates of detection probability and density. Secondly, deer increased the use of forest cover as spring vegetation green-up occurred, leading to up to 50% of the population being unavailable to sample during surveys. Each of these deviations from conventional distance sampling assumptions inform future sampling design protocols and can be analytically corrected, once quantified, to reduce bias in density estimates.

Speakers
DD

David Delaney

post-doc, Iowa State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Wetland Management and Habitat Associations of Breeding Secretive Marsh Birds, including King Rail, in Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Presenter: Ryan McGinty (SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY)

Co-Authors: Kristen Malone (SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY), Lisa Webb (USGS, Columbia, MO), Arianne Messerman (Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, MO), Janet Haslerig (Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO), and Doreen Mengel (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO)


ABSTRACT: Several species of secretive Marsh are facing population declines in the U.S., including the King Rail which is listed as endangered in several U.S. states. Wetland management practices commonly used on public properties in Missouri and elsewhere have been developed to produce vegetation and water conditions that benefit waterfowl. However, the effects of waterfowl-focused wetland management on secretive marsh birds are not well known. The purpose of this project is to determine the current distribution of King Rail in Missouri and to evaluate the effects of habitat characteristics and wetland management practices on breeding secretive marsh birds. In 2023, we conducted call-playback surveys at 84 survey points across 14 publicly managed properties in Missouri. We detected King Rail at 4 survey points across 3 wetland pools. Two of these wetland pools were permanently inundated with water and the other as drawn down in the month of May. Due to few detections of King Rail, we used Least Bittern as a surrogate in occupancy analyses. We detected Least Bittern at 18 survey points. Their site occupancy was positively associated with percent cover of both tall emergent vegetation (β = 4.616, 85% CI = 1.901 – 7.931), percent cover of water (3.696, 1.596 – 6.496), and water depth (2.329, 0.449 – 4.720). Points with greater interspersion were more likely to be occupied by Least Bittern (4.496, 0.852 – 10.088). Wetland pools that were drawn down annually were less likely to be occupied by Least Bittern than sites that were permanently inundated with water (-7.117, -13.886 – -1.551). Least Bittern occupancy was also positively associated with a later initiation of spring drawdowns (6.555, 2.457 – 12.645). Our results represent an important first step for moving forward King Rail conservation in Missouri and for testing the assumption that waterfowl habitat management produces habitat for secretive marsh birds.
Speakers
RM

Ryan McGinty

M.S. Student, SUNY Brockport
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-04: Assessment of Coldwater Fisheries Resources in Northeast Iowa.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Gregory Gelwicks, Iowa DNR; Gregory Simmons, Iowa DNR; Michael Siepker, Iowa DNR

ABSTRACT: Wild trout have played an increasingly important role in trout management in Iowa over the last 20 years. Recent increases in self-sustaining trout populations has expanded and diversified opportunities for Iowa anglers to pursue trout. One of the major factors in this increase is the use of fingerling stocks derived from wild and local parents to establish wild trout populations in other streams. Such stockings have been so successful in expanding self-sustaining populations of Brown Trout in northeast (NE) Iowa that their full extent is currently unknown. Wild Brook Trout populations have also been successfully restored to several NE Iowa streams by stocking fingerling Brook Trout of South Pine Creek origin. Brook Trout is the only trout species believed to be native to NE Iowa’s coldwater streams, and fisheries managers in Iowa are interested in expanding these restoration efforts as well as protecting existing populations of the species. The purpose of this project is to assess the current distribution of Brook Trout and Brown Trout in northeast Iowa, and collect information needed to identify coldwater streams in northeast Iowa which have conditions necessary for successful restoration of wild Brook Trout populations. To efficiently target our sampling to only those stream reaches where thermal regimes are likely to be conducive to trout habitation, we are using methods developed in a recent study that used visually interpreted very high resolution (VHR) winter satellite imagery to identify coldwater stream reaches. Results of targeted sampling efforts in the Upper Iowa River watershed will be presented, and utility of using VHR winter satellite imagery to identify coldwater stream reaches will be discussed. In addition to informing wild trout management in NE Iowa, information gained from this project will also be used in an effort to update Iowa’s coldwater stream classifications.
Speakers
GG

Gregory Gelwicks

Fisheries Research Biologist, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-07: Invasive Carp Growth Chronologies: Management Tool To Help Evaluate Harvest Success?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kaiden Vinavich, Illinois Natural History Survey; Levi Solomon, Illinois Natural History Survey; Sam Schaik, Illinois Natural History Survey; Jesse Williams, Illinois Natural History Survey; James Lamer, Illinois Natural History Survey; Edward Sterling, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Columbia, MO; Ben Marcek, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Carterville, IL; Michael Weber, Iowa State University; Christopher Sullivan, University of Connecticut; Mark Fritts, US Fish & Wildlife Service, La Crosse, WI; Allison Lenaerts, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Emily Szott, Illinois Natural History Survey; Zack Witzel, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Brandon Harris, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Invasive carp, composed of bighead (Hypopthalmichthys nobilis), silver (H. molitrix), grass (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), have negatively impacted the food webs and native biota of the Mississippi River Basin since their introduction in the late 1970s. Harvest is the primary management strategy to reduce invasive carp populations, however, due to their complicated life history and absence of robust population estimates, additional assessment tools are needed to help evaluate the effectiveness of harvest. Therefore, we are exploring variation in invasive carp annual growth as a surrogate for invasive carp density in response to management and removal efforts. This will be accomplished through two main objectives: 1) build master chronologies and characterize invasive carp annual growth within discrete, spatially-explicit management units across a spectrum of invasion densities in the Mississippi River Basin and 2) model growth response to management (harvest) and ecological/environmental drivers (e.g., zooplankton abundance, cumulative growing degree days, year-class strength, and hydrology). We will evaluate growth through incremental lapillus otolith measurements from bighead and silver carp across reaches of the Upper and Lower Mississippi River, Illinois River, Missouri River, Ohio River, and select tributaries ranging from 2014-2024 (n=50; 25 male, 25 female per species, per reach, per year). A mixed effects modeling approach will be used to estimate annual growth in response to management and external drivers, while adjusting for allometric and individual-specific growth intraclass variation. The results of this work will yield master invasive carp chronologies across their invaded range, capturing several stages of their invasion throughout the Mississippi River Basin and hopefully serve as a baseline for future collections and a tool to help evaluate management success.
Speakers
KV

Kaiden Vinavich

Graduate Researcher, Illinois Natural History Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-08: Discovering Landscape Connectivity Patterns of Wood Turtles in Northern Michigan
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Autumn Straessle; Bruce Kingsbury

ABSTRACT: Severed landscapes and habitat fragmentation can result from anthropogenic effects and climate change on habitat. These fragmentations can have lasting negative effects on surrounding species, especially reptiles. Wood Turtle populations are experiencing a decline due to dwindling habitat, making research for management and conservation crucial to their survival. My research aims to observe the movement patterns of these turtles throughout suitable habitats and developed land within Michigan. To accomplish this, I will attach GPS units to individual turtles to gather data on preferred habitats and movement. This data will be used to identify corridors and possible barriers that can aid in conservation. This data will also be used to construct maps using ArcGIS to visualize patterns of movement and connectivity.
Speakers
AS

Autumn Straessle

Graduate Student, Purdue University Fort Wayne
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-09: Quantifying angler harvest decisions using four decades of creel survey data
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ben C. Neely, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Susan F. Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Jeff D. Koch, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: Harvest regulation is a common tool used by fisheries managers to structure fish communities. However, anglers must comply with harvest restrictions for expected outcomes to occur. Dynamic angling motivations have led to supposition that different, unexplored factors influence contemporary angler decisions to harvest captured fish. We used recursive partitioning (i.e., decision trees) to model fate of angled fish (harvested or released) from creel data collected throughout Kansas from 1997 to 2024. A suite of 20 variables that related to the captured fish (e.g., fish length, legal status), location (e.g., surface area, rural/urban), time (e.g., year, day of week), and angling party (e.g., number of anglers, proportion male) were associated with each fish encounter. The global model indicated that legal status of an individual fish (i.e., vulnerable to harvest based on length), species, and fish length were the most important variables and correctly classified fate in 83.8% of test data records. Submodels developed individually for 12 species or species groups correctly classified fate in 67% (Lepomis spp.) to 96% (Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu) of test data records. These models highlight how variables influencing harvest differed by species or species group, and specified fish length, legal status, rural/urban characterization, and fishery longitude as the most important variables impacting fate. Our models demonstrate that angler decision to harvest a fish can be approximated from a few important variables commonly captured during standard creel surveys. Although these variables may differ based on fish taxa, generalities within can be useful for informing harvest regulation for fisheries management.
Speakers
BN

Ben Neely

Fisheries Biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-10: Aquatic Vegetation Survey Methods in Iowa
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jason Euchner, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: When managing aquatic plants native or non-native an understanding of what species are present is critical for success. Many methods of plant sampling are used and this presentation will cover why and when the Iowa DNR uses different methods. These methods include presence/absence surveys, comprehensive transect surveys, and point intercept surveys.
Speakers
JE

Jason Euchner

Aquatic Vegetation Management Biologist, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-11: Species Distribution Modeling of Distocambarus spp. in the Physiographic Piedmont Region of South Carolina
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kathryn Schulz, West Liberty University; Eric Ng, West Liberty University; Michael Kendrick, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; Zanethia Barnett, USDA Forest Service; Nicole Garrison, West Liberty University; Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University



ABSTRACT: Species distribution modeling (SDM) is becoming an increasingly common tool for rare species detection. SDMs analyze and predict the habitat variables driving the distribution of the target species, which can provide useful insight into potential habitats for endemic taxa. Burrowing crayfish often have a patchy distribution on the landscape, making detection difficult. The primary burrowing crayfish genus Distocambarus (Decopoda: Cambaridae) is represented by five taxa, four of which are located within the Piedmont region of South Carolina. All species are narrowly endemic and globally rare, often occurring in fragmented habitats. The distribution of the genus has not been thoroughly delimited, making management efforts difficult. Two species are of greatest conservation need in South Carolina (D. youngineri and D. carlsoni), raising interest in a formal revision of the distribution of the genus within the state. We employed an SDM driven by habitat variables from sites with positive Distocambarus spp. presence to predict potential occurrences outside their current range. We validated the model by visiting predicted locations and confirming species presence or absence. The SDM method successfully expanded the range of the four species residing in South Carolina and led to novel habitat observations, which indicates greater plasticity among the genus than previously documented.
Speakers
KS

Kathryn Schulz

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-12: Reconstructing wetland garden productivity and resilience at Cahokia, Illinois (900-1350 AD)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Natalie G. Mueller and Christina Youngpeter

ABSTRACT: The ancient city of Cahokia (900-1350 AD) was the largest Indigenous settlement North of Mexico before European colonization. It was built in the middle of the American Bottom floodplain, south of the confluence of the Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi rivers. Cahokians relied on a diverse array of annual and perennial floodplain-adapted plants, and created anthropogenic wetlands within the urban landscape. Cahokia was gradually abandoned between 1250-1350 AD, and many archaeologists have argued that either droughts or floods destabilized the food system and caused this “collapse.” However, the drought and flood tolerance of most of the plants grown by Cahokian farmers is unknown. We are conducting experiments with these plants to better understand their productivity, in terms of yield, and susceptibility to flooding and drought throughout their lifecycle. In addition to shedding light on the fate of this ancient city, we hope that our results will contribute to a revitalization of some of these ancient crops. With flood frequency and intensity predicted to rise in coming decades, floodplain adapted crops could provide a low input alternative to the flood-intolerant industrial crops that currently dominate agriculture in the Midwest.
Speakers
NM

Natalie Mueller

Assistant Professor, Washington University in St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Assessment of Channel Catfish Population Demographics in Illinois Impoundments and Evaluation of Spawning Boxes
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Danielle Shubat, Eastern Illinois University; Daniel Roth, Eastern Illinois University; Robert Colombo, Eastern Illinois University; Eden Effert-Fanta, Eastern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are a popular and sought after sportfish to anglers across the United States, having substantial value for both recreational and commercial fisheries. However, their populations in impoundments often rely on stockings of fingerlings. In Illinois, the lack of standardized sampling protocols for catfish has made it difficult to adequately evaluate stocking efforts and assess population dynamics. This study aimed to determine the most effective sampling methods for Channel Catfish in impoundments, assess demographic variation among impoundments, and test the efficacy of artificial spawning structures to increase natural reproduction and recruitment in three Illinois reservoirs (Lake Charleston, Lake Mattoon, and Lake Paradise). After two years of seasonal sampling using multiple gears, we found that baited tandem hoop-nets in the fall yielded the best catch rates and we will continue to use this sampling method. Our population assessments and microchemistry analyses of pectoral spines show that Channel Catfish in these lakes are primarily stocked fish, suggesting low natural reproduction. However, the relationship between stocking rates and the observed differences in population density and demographics remains unclear. We hypothesized that the lack of recruitment may be due to insufficient spawning habitat and sought to increase availability of this habitat by adding nest boxes in the study lakes. Preliminary trials showed that Channel Catfish used these structures, and future goals include expanding nest box installations and monitoring for natural recruitment over time. Adding nest boxes to create suitable habitat for these catfish to reproduce may facilitate annual recruitment thereby reducing cost and effort of hatchery operations. If successful, this approach could be implemented in other lakes and ponds to naturally sustain catfish populations.
Speakers
DS

Danielle Shubat

Graduate Research Assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Trends in Population Status and Range-Wide Geographic Patterns of Genetic Variation for the Federally Petitioned Bluestripe Darter
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brittany L. Harried, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Jacob T. Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

ABSTRACT: The Bluestripe Darter (Percina cymatotaenia) is endemic to Missouri, is a species of conservation concern, and has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. We conducted a study to evaluate the species’ threats, genetic diversity, and population trends. Objectives for this study were to: 1) duplicate Bluestripe Darter sampling effort from past sites and observe trends in population status, and 2) assess the range-wide geographic patterns of genetic variation within Bluestripe Darter. Sampling efforts from 2000-2002 were duplicated during June-August 2024 for 46 sites across five rivers in southern Missouri using seining methods that targeted small-bodied benthic fishes. Furthermore, limited environmental covariate and habitat data were collected and additional sampling in a spatially replicated occupancy framework was completed to estimate occupancy and detection at each site. Up to 20 fin clips and vouchers were collected per river to estimate effective population sizes, geographic structure of genetic variation within and between drainages, and contemporary short-term migration rates. Photos of each voucher specimen were also taken to assess external ecomorphology. We detected Bluestripe Darter at 9 out of 46 sites in 2024, which was well below the 23 out of 46 sites where it was detected by surveys from 2000-2002. Results from this study will inform the Species Status Assessment and listing decision for Bluestripe Darter, and will also benefit Heritage reviews, Wildlife Collector Permit reviews, conservation planning, and priority for on-the ground management projects related to identified population threats.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Harried

Brittany Harried

Postdoctoral Fellow, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri
Brittany is a postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Jacob Westhoff and Dr. Craig Paukert at the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2014 and 2016 with a B.S. in Aquatic Biology and a M.S. in Biology, respectively... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: River-Floodplain Connectivity: Effects on Ecological Communities in Restored Wetlands along the Lower Missouri River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Josh Williams, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Lisa Webb, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Jonathan Spurgeon, U.S. Geological Survey, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA

ABSTRACT: During the 20th century, extensive flood control infrastructure was built along many US rivers, separating mainstem river channels from floodplains and altering floodplain wetland structure and function. Wetland restoration often occurs in locations where levees have disconnected the floodplain from the mainstem river channel. Disconnected wetlands can experience reduced nutrient exchange, habitat heterogeneity, biodiversity, and hazard mitigation compared to wetlands in connected floodplains. Understanding the effects of river-floodplain connectivity on wetland restoration efforts has been limited—in part—by brief time periods between restoration and evaluation. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) program, established in 1990, is a voluntary program that provides landowners with technical assistance and financial incentives to restore marginal farmland to historic wetland conditions. Our objective is to compare abiotic and biotic metrics in ACEP-WRE wetlands along a gradient of restoration age (6 to 29 years) and degree of connectivity between the Missouri River and the adjacent floodplain. Hydrological connectivity was categorized based on wetland proximity to an adjacent levee system (landward or riverward) and quantified using continuous temperature logging units, level of local mainstem channel incision, and historical river stage data. At each ACEP-WRE site (riverward sites n = 26, landward sites n = 24), water, soil, and algae samples were collected along with surveys of vegetation, macroinvertebrate, fish, amphibian, and bird assemblages. We compare metrics for riverward and landward sites with six reference and six control sites to elucidate whether river-floodplain connectivity affects the time needed to achieve ACEP-WRE restoration goals.
Speakers
JW

Josh Williams

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-04: Brook Trout Restoration in Iowa using Multi-Pass Electrofishing to Removal Nonnatives
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Caleb C. Schnitzler, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Decorah Fisheries Management Office

ABSTRACT: Abstract: Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis are the only native salmonid to Iowa, and substantial effort has been directed toward protecting those populations. Culture of the Brook Trout from South Pine Creek, the only wild population in Iowa, began in 1996 and continued annually to restore additional populations. A more recent genetic evaluations confirmed that the South Pine Creek strain was unique and suitable for use as a brood source. The evaluations also identified five streams that had non-native Brook Trout ancestries. Of these, one population of domestic hatchery Brook Trout was identified and selected to be removed using electrofishing. Naturalized Brown Trout Salmo trutta are another threat to wild Iowa Brook Trout, with populations established in most quality coldwater streams. Two streams with barriers to prevent Brown Trout recolonization were selected for Brown Trout removal. The effectiveness of trout removal via stream electrofishing is reviewed and the use of fish culture to improve native Brook Trout restoration efforts is also discussed.
Speakers
CS

Caleb Schnitzler

Fisheries, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-07: Invasive Carp Removals in Missouri River Tributaries
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Adam McDaniel ¹, Thomas Boersig III ¹, Jessica Howell ², Jason Goeckler ², Jahn Kallis ², Pablo Oleiro², Kellie Hanser ², Bryon Rochon ², Edward Sterling ², & Kasey Whiteman ¹
¹ Missouri Department of Conservation; ² U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service


ABSTRACT: Invasive carp, particularly Silver Carp Hypopthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypopthalmichthys nobilis have expanded throughout the Mississippi River basin over the last thirty years. Studies to better understand these species and infer control measures in the Missouri River sub-basin have increased in the past several years. The Missouri Department of Conservation in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service conducted intensive carp removals on two lower Missouri River tributaries with varying watersheds, the Grand River in northwest Missouri and Lamine River in central Missouri. This study evaluates the removal of invasive carp in closed and open fluvial systems, removal gears and effort to reach exploitation goals, changes in density of Silver Carp and immigration rates. Fish capture gears included experimental equipment such as the electrified paupier and dozer trawls in conjunction with standard electrofishing boats, and experimental gill nets to sample multiple habitat types. Hydroacoustic sonar surveys were conducted pre- and post-removal to quantify changes of invasive carp densities. Acoustic telemetry was also utilized to track daily movements and behavior of local Silver Carp previously implanted with acoustic tags. Removal efforts on the Grand River removed 28,848 kg of invasive carp and 17,506 Silver Carp in thirteen days of effort. Hydroacoustic density estimates indicated Silver Carp densities overall in 2023 were lower than 2022 and densities decreased each removal period in the Grand River. Missouri River tributaries most likely support all stages of invasive carp such as spawning, nursery and recruitment. Tributaries also represent areas invasive carp are probably vulnerable to overfishing as Silver Carp tend to congregate in deep slow pools and habitats easier to sample than mainstem Missouri River with faster water velocities and rock training structures. These efforts can aid biologists moving forward on future control and management actions of invasive carp in Missouri River tributaries.
Speakers
AM

Adam McDaniel

Aquatic Scientist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-08: Herpetofauna use of canebrake habitat in southern Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Thanchira Suriyamongkol, Southern Illinois University; Brent Pease, Southern Illinois University; James Zaczek, Southern Illinois University; Jon Schoonover, Southern Illinois University; Clayton Nielsen; Southern Illinois University; John Groninger, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Destruction of wetlands reduced vegetation cover and habitat structures, which negatively impacted herpetofauna populations. Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) forms dense monodominant patches (canebrakes), once a prominent wetland feature throughout the lower Mississippi Valley. Although high herpetofauna richness is associated with landscape where canebrakes remain abundant, specific relationships between herpetofauna and canebrakes remain poorly studied. We conducted herpetofauna inventory and evaluated the influence of giant cane on herpetofauna richness and habitat use from April to June, 2022 and 2023 at 64 sites in southwestern Illinois, USA, using area search method. We detected 225 individual herpetofauna of 24 species, with17 species in canebrakes and 22 species in non-canebrakes. We examined differences in herpetofauna richness and communities between canebrakes and non-canebrakes using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity. We also assessed the occupancy probabilities of herpetofauna using a community occupancy model. Species richness was not significantly different between canebrakes and non-canebrakes (p = 0.42). The NMDS analysis revealed no differences in herpetofauna community between canebrakes and non-canebrakes. However, frogs (e.g., Hyla spp. and Lithobates spp.) were more commonly in areas with dense canebrake and herbaceous cover, while reptiles and salamanders (e.g., Eurycea spp. and Plethodon spp.) were associated with contiguous forest cover. Overall herpetofauna occupancy increased in areas with 1) increased canebrake density, 2) more canopy closure and tree density, 3) less ground vegetation cover, and 4) farther from road, forest edge, agriculture, and open water source. Current canebrakes structure, which are sparse and fragmented, might explain the lack of strong influence of canebrake on herpetofauna communities. However, variations in the relationship patterns between herpetofauna and other habitat components were expected given diverse life histories among species. Therefore, maintaining habitat heterogeneity and managing other microhabitat components in wetlands are important for conservation of herpetofauna.

Speakers
TS

Thanchira Suriyamongkol

Student, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-10: Point Intercept Sampling for Aquatic Macrophytes in Northern Michigan Inland Lakes
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jeremy Hartsock, Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Dan Hayes, Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Jo Latimore, Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Erick Elgin, Michigan State University Extension

ABSTRACT: Submersed macrophytes strongly influence the structure and function of inland lakes. However, quantitative data are broadly lacking on the distribution and abundance of aquatic macrophytes in northern Michigan. To fill these knowledge gaps, we performed macrophyte surveys at 75 inland lakes in the Northern Lake Huron and Eastern Lake Superior management units using a modified point-intercept survey approach whereby a double sided rake was tossed twice at each sampling point (~100 points sampled per lake). Among all lakes surveyed a total of 60 macrophyte species were observed. Chara sp. was the most frequently encountered macrophyte. The most species rich lake contained 32 species and the most species poor contained 3 species. Of note, we detected aquatic invasive species (AIS) in nearly half of the lakes surveyed. Invasive watermilfoil and starry stonewort were the most frequently observed AIS. An occupancy analysis revealed that a single rake toss approach underestimates the true occurrence of aquatic macrophytes due to incomplete detection probability. We also show that a single rake toss approach yields similar estimates of species richness but requires more points to be sampled than a two rake toss approach. Our experience is that approximately 100 points could be sampled per day with a two rake toss approach, yielding observed species richness close to predicted richness, and providing reasonable precision of estimates of coverage for common species. Future research will focus on comparing our modified PI survey to other macrophyte survey approaches.
Speakers
JH

Jeremy Hartsock

Academic Specialist, Michigan State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-12: Native Landscapes: Engaging and Empowering Community
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Cydney Ross, Deep Roots KC

ABSTRACT: Global conservation challenges are viewed with apathy. In a rapidly changing climate, how can individuals and organizations make a lasting impact while outdated systems dominate? Deep Roots KC is empowering Midwestern communities to enact social change. From individual impact to organizational change, outreach efforts are altering perspectives and landscapes in Kansas City, Missouri. Learn about our native landscape initiatives to create sustainable practices at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. See how partnerships with Missouri Department of Conservation and Johnson County Parks and Recreation District have expanded community impact. We’ll discuss programs that have inspired people to reconsider their place in our natural communities and embrace native landscapes across the Midwest.
Speakers
CR

Cydney Ross

Outdoor Education Manager, Deep Roots KC
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

3:00pm CST

Coffee Break
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:00pm - 3:20pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:00pm - 3:20pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Identifying potential sources of natural recruitment of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ryan Eastman, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit; Jason Breeggemann, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Robert Davis, University of Wisconsin - Madison Center for Limnology; Daniel Dembkowski, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit; Daniel Isermann, U.S. Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Green Bay and its tributaries support a world-class fishery for trophy muskellunge that attracts anglers from across North America, but there has been little evidence of natural recruitment and the population remains reliant on stocking to sustain the fishery. Previous efforts to document natural recruitment have focused on the Fox and Menominee rivers where spawning is known to occur. Results of these assessments suggest that hatching success in these rivers is limited. However, recent telemetry-based research indicates that approximately half of Green Bay muskellunge spawn in non-tributary locations. These locations could represent important yet unconsidered sources of natural recruitment in southern Green Bay. Furthermore, anecdotal observations suggest spawning occurs in the Sturgeon Bay area but it is unknown if these fish contribute to the broader southern Green Bay population. Our objectives for this project are to determine if: (1) successful hatching is occurring at open-water locations in Green Bay, including locations in the Sturgeon Bay area, (2) presence of eggs or larval muskellunge at a location is related to a suite of habitat characteristics including distance to shore, bottom slope, depth, dissolved oxygen, substrate type, and aquatic vegetation, and (3) muskellunge spawning in the Sturgeon Bay area contribute to the overall population in southern Green Bay. We are integrating intensive egg and larval fish sampling and acoustic telemetry to address our objectives. We will present preliminary results related to spawning and hatching in non-tributary locations based on sampling efforts during the 2024 field season. We will also discuss the framework of our acoustic telemetry approach to assess the contribution of muskellunge spawning in the Sturgeon Bay area to the broader Green Bay population.
Speakers
RE

Ryan Eastman

Graduate Student, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Linking Stream Fish Thermal Ecology and Adaptive Capacity to Prioritize Watershed Areas with Greatest Value for Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brittany L. Harried, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Wesley Fitzsimmons, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Kaelyn J. Fogelman, Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, Troy University, Troy, AL; Craig P. Paukert, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Jane S. Rogosch, U.S. Geological Survey, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; Jim A. Stoeckel, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL; Jacob T. Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO


ABSTRACT: Aquatic organisms are experiencing impacts from anthropogenic influences (e.g. climate change), resulting in the loss of suitable habitat for many species. Consequently, it is imperative to improve our understanding of the thermal ecology of these organisms to predict how individual species may respond to changes in water temperature and habitat availability. This is particularly important for species of conservation concern and species on the periphery of their range which could experience greater impacts from climate change-related stressors. In this study, we examined the thermal ecology of hatchery-reared Topeka Shiners, and wild Blacknose Shiners, Ozark Shiners and Carmine Shiners from Missouri. Some of these species have restricted distributions or small populations while others have broader latitudinal ranges. We performed laboratory studies to assess multiple thermal metrics including 1) thermal preference, 2) acclimated chronic exposure, 3) respiratory enzyme thermal performance, and 4) critical thermal maximum. The laboratory study results were integrated with distribution models for these species, stream temperature models for Missouri, barriers to movement and migration, and watersheds where conservation is focused to estimate the adaptive capacity of these species and identify stream reaches that may serve as refugia or managed translocations in the face of climate change. Estimating multiple thermal metrics allows us to test for relationships among metrics within and across species and provides a more thorough understanding of the thermal ecology of these species to inform management decisions. Additionally, this provides insight into the most ecologically relevant thermal metrics for informing future, large-scale modelling efforts with other species.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Harried

Brittany Harried

Postdoctoral Fellow, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri
Brittany is a postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Jacob Westhoff and Dr. Craig Paukert at the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2014 and 2016 with a B.S. in Aquatic Biology and a M.S. in Biology, respectively... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-07: Invasive Carp Removal Approaches in the Missouri River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jessica Howell, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Kevin Drews, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Jason Goeckler, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Adam McDaniel, Missouri Department of Conservation; Joe McMullen, Missouri Department of Conservation; John Schulte, Missouri Department of Conservation; Kasey Whiteman, Missouri Department of Conservation; Liam Odell, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Chris Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Brett Anderson, University of Nebraska at Lincoln; Kirk Steffensen, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Matt Acre, US Geological Survey; Jesse Fischer, US Geological Survey; Josey Ridgway, US Geological Survey;

ABSTRACT: Given the widespread impacts of Silver Carp in areas where they have become established, a focus on effective management strategies for this invasive fish has increased in recent years. State and federal research and management agencies have been working nationwide to identify effective control methods such as deterrents to limit distribution, conduct removals to reduce abundance, and research and develop novel management techniques. In the Missouri River Basin, Silver Carp have invaded over 1,300 kilometers of the Missouri River and numerous tributaries along that stretch, representing a large and diverse set of challenges for managers. The Missouri River Basin Invasive Carp Partnership of State, Federal, and University partners collaborate to address this interjurisdictional challenge for the basin. In addition to projects aimed at better defining the risk and delineating populations, Missouri River Basin partners are focused on developing and refining gears and techniques to limit Silver Carp distribution and abundance. The Partnership seeks to integrate successful strategies from other river basins as well as to innovate new approaches, including developing and testing sonar and modeling techniques to estimate populations, refining herding techniques to concentrate and remove fish, working to assess interest in commercial fisheries, testing intensive versus sustained agency removal efforts, and more. By developing and testing multiple strategies, effective techniques and approaches can be applied across this highly diverse and dynamic system to elicit a population-level impact. Population assessments and delineations being conducted concurrently can direct management efforts to where they will be most effective as well as measure the effectiveness of deterrents and exploitation placed across the landscape. This presentation will highlight collaborative research and management efforts from the Missouri River Basin Invasive Carp Partnership and the results of recent efforts.
Speakers
JH

Jessica Howell

Supervisory Fish Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-08: Resurveying the Amphibians and Reptiles of Chicagoland Forest Preserves
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Madelynn M. Sinclair, University of Chicago; Michelle E. Thompson, San Diego Natural History Museum; Thomas G. Anton, The Field Museum; Sara Ruane, The Field Museum

ABSTRACT: Will County is the most herpetologically rich county in northeastern Illinois, with 18 amphibian and 25 reptile species known to occur in the region. It is also home to the extensive Forest Preserve District of Will County, which has grown steadily since its founding in 1927 and now covers 23,119 acres of land. However, Will County is becoming increasingly urbanized, and many of the preserves border or are surrounded by residential and industrial development. Beginning in 2022, we have been conducting resurveys of these forest preserves to learn how the herpetofauna of Will County has survived, thrived, or been displaced since the last comprehensive compilation in 2015 (which was primarily based on surveys from 1986-2009). We present here the results of these ongoing surveys, summarizing our observations thus far of the relative abundance and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in comparison to historical datasets. We have, so far, collected tissue and/or vouchers of 15 amphibian and 24 reptile species. These modern records may inform management efforts on how their work is affecting local amphibians and reptiles. We have also added dozens of specimens and hundreds of tissues to the collection of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, helping create a library of modern voucher and genetic materials for work on midwestern amphibian and reptile diversity.
Speakers
MS

Madelynn Sinclair

Graduate Student, University of Chicago
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-09: Anonymous Location Data Integrated with Intercept Surveys: A Powerful Combined Approach to Measuring Lake Recreation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Rebecca M. Krogman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Annika Preheim, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Anonymous location data (ALD) provide travel and movement information based on mobile and "smart" devices' geolocations. When applied to a recreational location like a lake, ALD can provide metrics such as travel distance from home, trip duration, trip timing across days and seasons, and total visitation. These are essential metrics for recreational use studies, which have traditionally collected such data via mailed, telephone, or intercept survey. In Iowa, recreational use of public lakes and reservoirs is monitored every five years to identify areas for priority work, measure change over time, and assess recreational user opinions, behaviors while visiting, and needs. The Department of Natural Resources' (DNR's) Iowa Lakes Survey was conducted as an incentivized mailed survey in 2002-2005, 2009, 2014, and 2019, and was due to be completed again in 2024. However, as has been seen across survey science, response rates were declining, and DNR decided to conduct its 2024 Iowa Lakes Survey using a completely novel methodology: a combination of ALD and intercept survey of recreational visitors. With the travel metrics captured by ALD, intercept surveys could focus on preference and experience questions, making them shorter and more targeted. DNR initiated the 2024 Iowa Lakes Survey in April 2024 with intercept surveys being conducted statewide for 12 months. These data will be combined with ALD for the same time period to yield recreational information that is both comprehensive and representative of Iowa's resource users. Preliminary data from the spring, summer, and fall will be presented.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-10: Ohio’s invasive Hydrilla response: case studies and lessons learned
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Curtis Wagner, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Mark Warman, Cleveland Metroparks

ABSTRACT: Historically, fisheries management has only superficially considered aquatic vegetation when engaging in fisheries assessment and actions. However, emerging invasive aquatic plants such as Hydrilla verticillate (Hydrilla) indicate the need to more fully integrate aquatic vegetation assessment and management with fisheries management. Hydrilla has become widely recognized as one of the world’s most aggressive invasive aquatic plants and is responsible for an array of environmental and fisheries disruptions when left unmanaged. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, like many other state agencies, does not have a standardized aquatic vegetation assessment program nor a statewide rapid response plan for detected invasive aquatic plants; this deficiency has become most recognized through recent Hydrilla detections. Hydrilla was first detected in an Ohio reservoir in 2011, with multiple small impoundment detections soon thereafter. In recent years, new populations of Hydrilla have been discovered in large, public reservoirs, including one that links the Lake Erie and the Ohio River drainages. Here we will provide an overview of Hydrilla detections in Ohio to highlight the challenges, successes, setbacks, and lessons learned. These case studies highlight the importance of established partnerships, integrated funding, prevention strategies, and effective communication to address Hydrilla detections in a complicated management landscape. Perceptions vary widely among reservoir stakeholders concerning aquatic vegetation and invasive hydrilla; differences in opinions and understanding occur even among anglers. Fisheries managers are encouraged to consider incorporating aquatic vegetation assessments into fisheries management actions and to develop rapid response strategies with relevant partners for future invasive aquatic plant detections.
Speakers
CW

Curtis Wagner

Fisheries Management Supervisor, Ohio Division of Wildlife
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-11: First Comprehensive Habitat Survey of the Upper Guyandotte River and Pinnacle Creek for an Endangered Crayfish (Cambarus veteranus).
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Montana Fonner, West Liberty University; Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University


ABSTRACT: Cambarus veteranus (Guyandotte River Crayfish) has been in severe population decline since their description in 1914 by Faxon. In 2016 the species was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act due to a widespread range reduction. The major contributing factor to this decline is siltation caused by both historic and current logging and mining operations. C. veteranus occupies the interstitial spaces between slab boulders and the benthos. Siltation fills the interstitial space both, smothering live crayfish and reducing habitat availability by cementing slab boulders into the stream bed. C. veteranus is endemic to the Upper Guyandotte River Basin. Historically C. veteranus was found in 8 tributaries of the mainstem of the Upper Guyandotte River. Today C. veteranus is only found in one historic tributary, Pinnacle Creek. More recently, another stream, Clear Fork/Laurel Fork, was found to harbor populations of C. veteranus. Despite the conservation standing of C. veteranus a comprehensive habitat study on the mainstem of the Upper Guyandotte River has not been conducted. This study aims to investigate the mainstem of the Upper Guyandotte River and Lower Pinnacle Creek to determine habitat quality. We recorded observations of anthropogenic degradation, such as siltation, bank instability, and pollution. Data collected will be used towards mitigation efforts in restoring habitat suitability within the study area for C. veteranus. In addition, habitat data collected along the mainstem was integrated in crayfish collection surveys, at possibly overlooked locales, which were determined to have potentially suitable habitats for C. veteranus.
Speakers
MF

Montana Fonner

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-12: Growing native edible plants for food and wildlife in farms and gardens.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nadia Navarrete-Tindall; Lincoln University of Missouri, Cooperative Extension; Sue Bartelette, LU-Cooperative Extension; Qingbo Yang, LU-Cooperative Research; and Samira Mahdi, LU-Cooperative Research;

ABSTRACT: Native edible plants can be found in all plant communities like woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. In Missouri, there are many native plants that can be consumed as greens, teas, in stews or for flavoring, as Native Americans did before the arrival of the Europeans.

There are more than 2000 native species in the state, and this presentation will provide information on a few that are naturally found in bottomlands and wetlands and can be grown in farms and gardens.

One of the significant advantages of promoting native edibles is their adaptability to various soil and shade conditions. Unlike annual crops, perennials do not need to be replanted each year, ensuring a continuous and reliable food supply. This adaptability makes them ideal for urban farming, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution for food production that also benefits pollinators. Ongoing studies are done in collaboration with a LU researcher to determine their nutritional value.
The SPC promotes native edibles as specialty crops, such as golden glow or sochan (Rudbeckia laciniata) and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), wild plums (Prunus spp.), persimmon and paw paw. Other species promoted for food consumption are wapato (Sagittaria latifolia), a wetland species that produces edible tubers at the end of the growing season. This particular species can be grown in water gardens that can also provide habitat for frogs and other wetland animals.

Through a series of hands-on workshops and presentations offered across the state, the SCP team educates small-scale farmers and gardeners about planting, harvesting and benefiting from native edibles. The SCP maintains three demonstration areas, fully established, at Lincoln University. Here more than 150 species, including more than 50 native edibles can be seen. Workshops include food tastings in collaboration with local chefs.
Speakers
NN

Nadia Navarrete-Tindall

Professor/State Extension Specialist, Lincoln University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Examining stunted Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) population in River Reservoir
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kaden Ball, South Dakota State University; Chuck Mordhorst, Arizona Game and Fish Department

ABSTRACT: This study examined the population dynamics of a severely stunted Yellow Perch Perca flavescens population in a high mountain reservoir in the White Mountains of Arizona. River Reservoir sustains a low-density population of trophy Brown Trout Salmo trutta creating a highly prized regional fishery. Yellow Perch have been determined to be an important prey item for Brown Trout in this system contributing to the large sizes Brown Trout attain in the reservoir. The yellow perch population has always been assumed to be stunted based on field observations, but this had never been confirmed. In order to determine if stunting was occurring and to what extent we aged Yellow Perch using otoliths and quantified rates of growth recruitment and mortality. We determined that Yellow Perch in this system are severely stunted relative to other populations and discuss the implications for managing a highly utilized trophy Brown Trout fishery based on these results.
Speakers
KB

Kaden Ball

Undergraduate Student, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Navigating the Currents: Investigating Environmental Cues for Pallid Sturgeon Immigration and Emigration for a Missouri River Tributary
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jenna Ruoss, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Christopher Pullano, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Mark Pegg, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Jonathan Spurgeon, U.S. Geological Survey, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Kirk Steffensen, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

ABSTRACT: Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus is a long-lived species that occupy the lower Mississippi River and the mainstem Missouri River, along with its major tributaries. In 1990, Pallid Sturgeon was listed as federally endangered, stemming from anthropogenic activities including habitat alterations and overharvesting leading to population declines. Conservation efforts and studies have primarily focused on understanding life-history requirements, population dynamics, habitat use, and productivity in the mainstem Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Limited information exists on the potential role of tributaries for Pallid Sturgeon recovery. Previous studies documented that Pallid Sturgeon occupy the lower Platte River, a large tributary to the Missouri River, year-round. Nevertheless, the environmental cues that trigger movement into and out of the Platte River are not fully understood. Therefore, our objective was to assess potential environmental cues for immigration and emigration between the Platte and Missouri rivers using acoustic telemetry. We implanted 29 acoustic transmitters and recorded an additional 64 unique Pallid Sturgeon, previously tagged by other agencies in the mainstem Missouri River, throughout 2022-2023 in the Platte River. Pallid Sturgeon were assigned to one of three migratory statuses (e.g., immigration, emigration, or individual occurrence). We used generalized linear models to investigate the additive effects of mean discharge, mean temperature, and photoperiod for Pallid Sturgeon immigration and emigration at the Platte River confluence with the Missouri River. We determined that the global model with the additive effects of mean discharge, mean temperature, and photoperiod was the highest-ranking model for predicting the probability of immigration. In contrast, mean temperature was identified as the best candidate model for predicting the probability of emigration. Our findings provide important insights concerning Pallid Sturgeon migration between river systems. The high affinity that Pallid Sturgeon displayed for the Platte River could suggest that the tributary plays an important role in fulfilling their life-history.
Speakers
JR

Jenna Ruoss

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-07: Monitoring Invasive Bigheaded Carp Movement Across Sub-basins in Response to Removal Efforts
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Authors: Josh Abner
Affiliation: Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Abstract: Invasive bigheaded carp (Silver Carp and Bighead Carp) have been around for decades, with populations continually growing and expansion continuing to take place. Funding, as well as consequent research and removal efforts have vastly increased among recent years. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has taken advantage of this to not only learn more about these fish and their impacts but to also focus on removal efforts and strategies. Invasive bigheaded carp have been implanted with acoustic transmitters across the state of Missouri within the Upper Mississippi River, the Lower Mississippi River, and the Missouri River basins, to track movement patterns in response to removal efforts. Collaboration with other state and federal agencies allows us to further our project scope with minimal additional effort. Standardized fish community assessments are also taking place to begin collecting long term trend data to elucidate community changes to invasive carp removal. A multi-sub-basin project approach related to research and removal is the kind of broad scale collaboration that will be required to make a difference in invasive bigheaded carp control and management.
Speakers
JA

Joshua Abner

Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-08: Ecology of an Urban Population of Common Snapping Turtles in Indiana
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jean-Baptiste Johnson, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Bruce Kingsbury. Purdue University Fort Wayne.

ABSTRACT: This study’s goal is to understand the ecology and dynamics of a population of Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) in an urban riverine environment. Wildlife evolving in an urban environment may encounter challenges and disturbances due to anthropogenic activities and infrastructure such as bridges, levees, or boat ramps. It is important to understand the interactions between wildlife and infrastructure in order to limit the impact of development on the local ecosystems.

To collect data for this study, hoop net traps are used to catch turtles. Each turtle is processed which means various types of morphological data is recorded, and the shell is marked for future identification during re-capture.

Select individual Common Snappers are fitted with a VHF transmitter in order to be tracked for a year. Tracking data will provide info on preferred locations for foraging, nesting, and overwintering. Once enough tracking data is obtained, probability of occurrence can be mapped based on the characteristics of the habitat.

Habitat characteristics may include density of vegetation, type of soil on shore, slope of the shore, presence of infrastructure, etc. which may impact turtle movements and behavior.

I expect to find that turtles avoid areas where infrastructure is present due to reduced cover for hiding and foraging, and poor quality substrate. I also expect to find that turtles spend more times in locations offering dense vegetation cover and natural basking sites such as downed trees.
Speakers
JJ

Jean-Baptiste Johnson

Graduate Student, Purdue University Fort Wayne
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-09: Using resource size-use models to predict how climate cycles influence angler effort
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Matthew Maldonado, University of North Dakota; Taufique Mahmood, University of North Dakota; David P. Coulter, South Dakota State University; Alison A. Coulter, South Dakota State University; Steve R. Chipps, U.S. Geological Survey; Maddy Siller, South Dakota State University; Michaela Neal, University of North Dakota; Ayon Saha, University of North Dakota; Mark A. Kaemingk, University of North Dakota

ABSTRACT: As climate change continues to manifest, its potential effects on angler behavior remain a blind spot in inland recreational fisheries. Predicted alterations to a waterbody’s hydrology, fish community, and infrastructure from climate change could ultimately influence angler behavior. The severity and impact of these alterations on angler behavior is currently unknown, despite the importance of angler effort for effective fisheries management. Previous research has shown that angler effort is closely tied to hydrology or waterbody surface area, with larger waterbodies attracting more angler effort. Establishing this link between resource availability and angler effort allows us to further our understanding of how anglers may respond to climate change. Our goal was to use a resource size (i.e., lake surface area) – use (i.e., angler effort) model to understand the potential influence of climate and hydrology on the spatial and temporal patterns of angler effort. We used this model to understand how drought and deluge cycles may influence the magnitude and distribution of angler effort within a basin (i.e., several watersheds). Our lake size – angler effort model was developed using historical creel survey angler effort and remotely sensed waterbody surface area data for 15 waterbodies in North and South Dakota from 1990 to 2019 (r2 = 0.86). We used this model to predict angler behavior by remotely sensing the surface area for 45 public waterbodies in the Devils Lake Basin, North Dakota, USA for 32 years (1990-2021). We tracked synchrony in angler effort in the basin, demonstrating spatial and temporal patterns that are tied to changes in lake hydrology and fishing opportunity for anglers. Our results allow managers to address the current blind spot of how anglers might respond to climate change by characterizing climate-related spatiotemporal dynamics in angler effort and identifying hotspots of high interannual variation in angler effort at a basin-level.
Speakers
MM

Matthew Maldonado

Graduate Student, University of North Dakota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-10: Reservoir Habitat Management in Ohio – The Past, Present, and Future
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Taylor E. Hunkins, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Joseph D. Conroy, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife

ABSTRACT: Ohio reservoirs are aging, filling with sediment, and quality habitat available to sport fish is declining. Concurrently, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife (ODNR-DOW) does not have a standardized habitat assessment program and lacks information on physical habitat metrics in Ohio reservoirs. However, the ODNR-DOW has conducted bathymetric surveys, generated fishing maps, and deployed fish attractors in Ohio reservoirs since the late 1990s. Additionally, the ODNR-DOW and external research partners recently developed and implemented a protocol to assess nearshore reservoir habitats. We are in the process of developing, revising, and expanding Ohio’s reservoir habitat program by incorporating habitat assessments (i.e., bathymetric mapping, nearshore mapping, and fish attractors) within the Inland Management System (IMS), a planned, iterative, priority-based approach used by the ODNR-DOW to monitor and manage reservoir sport fish populations, their habitat, and anglers using standardized methods. Here, we provide a brief overview of the reservoir IMS, a history of Ohio’s reservoir habitat program, and discuss potential future directions of this program.
Speakers
TH

Taylor Hunkins

Fisheries Biologist, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:40pm CST

S-11: Preliminary Evaluation of Two Active Sampling Methods for Crayfishes on the Southern Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: William G. Wells, University of the South; Marley G. Barton, University of the South; Katie E. McGhee, University of the South: Graham E. Nystrom, University of the South

ABSTRACT: In this preliminary study, we measured and compared effectiveness of electrofishing and kick seining sampling methods for crayfishes from four headwaters streams on the Domain of the University of the South. The University of the South is located on the southern Cumberland Plateau ecoregion in Sewanee, Tennessee. Specifically, we examined how many individuals were captured between gears, and carapace length differences between capture methods during March—April 2024. Focal species were Cambarus sphenoides (Triangleclaw Crayfish) and Faxonius placidus (Bigclaw Crayfish). Four times as many crayfish were captured on average with the electrofishing method (13.5 ± 4.1 crayfish) compared with the kick seining method (3 ± 1 crayfish) across all four streams. Captured crayfish were of similar sizes using both methods. The higher catch rate from electrofishing method compared to kick seining method demonstrates that electrofishing is the best sampling method for headwater streams tested on the southern Cumberland Plateau for Triangleclaw and Bigclaw crayfishes.
Speakers
GW

Grady Wells

Visiting Assistant Professor, The University of the South
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA

3:50pm CST

S-12: Ducks Plus: Cultivating Sustainable Landscapes with Partners
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:50pm - 4:10pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mark Flaspohler, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

ABSTRACT: Ducks Unlimited’s Agriculture Strategic Plan Vision is focused to help take action in partnership with farmers, ranchers, landowners, cooperatives and commodity groups, financial institutions, corporations, municipalities, and policy makers to achieve sustainable agricultural landscapes. The goal is to provide economic prosperity and healthy communities for people while growing our conservation impact in the highest priority landscapes for North America’s waterfowl. Depending upon the region, watershed, and landscape position, wetlands contribute in a variety of ways. Wetlands are an essential part of these sustainable landscapes because they serve as natural infrastructure and contribute to a range of ecological services including water quality and quantity, carbon sequestration, soil health, flood control, mitigation, and coastal resiliency. Having a diverse set of programs ensures that there are suitable options for producers to value and incorporate these vital habitats and their interaction with the surrounding land and water.

Ducks Unlimited’s Sustainable Agriculture and Working Lands Focus is aimed at key landscapes, their primary resource concerns, conservation practices, and program implementation strategies. This means developing and scaling on-the-ground conservation programs that are beneficial for agricultural producers and waterfowl, while simultaneously providing ecosystem services is also key. Both in-field and edge-of-field practices help working ag lands target soil health, water quality and flood mitigation improvement. Maintaining existing and building new partnerships to target a voluntary and incentive-based approach to agriculture and conservation is also key. Continuing to work closely with producers, NRCS, USFWS, NFWF, MRCTI, State Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Departments of Agriculture, and commodity partners will also be critical in many ways, e.g., driving new public and private revenue towards important program needs while growing wetland and associated habit acres on both private and public lands. Finally, communication of these opportunities, partnerships, and successes by generating and amplifying media narrative around DU’s positive impact on working lands is important to develop DU’s brand that resonates with the agricultural sector and its supporters.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:50pm - 4:10pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Applications of Environmental DNA Metabarcoding to Fish Biodiversity Assessments of Missouri Ozark Stream and Mississippi River Lowland Habitats
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: David D. Duvernell, Missouri S&T; Veronica M. Lee, Missouri S&T; Eric J. Ludwig, Missouri S&T; Aaron D. Geheber, University of Central Missouri; Brett Landwer, Missouri Department of Conservation; Leah K. Berkman, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Biodiversity monitoring in freshwater habitats provides essential data for assessing and quantifying spatiotemporal patterns and long-term changes. Fisheries biologists use a variety of capture-based methods for biodiversity sampling. Non-capture-based methods have come into common use that rely on the detection of environmental DNA (eDNA), which is released by organisms into their environment. Metabarcoding involves the filtering and extraction of eDNA from samples, followed by sequencing and alignment to a reference database to infer species presence. We worked closely with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to perform comparative biodiversity assessments using traditional capture-based methods along side eDNA metabarcoding methods. In support of our efforts, we submitted 189 new reference sequences to GenBank, to bring statewide databased coverage of Missouri fish species to over 90%. We teamed with the Resource Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) program to sample sites in six drainages of the Missouri Ozarks, and we worked with Cape Girardeau fisheries biologists to sample lowland habitats in Black Island Conservation Area along the Mississippi River. In Ozark streams we were able to detect approximately double the number of species compared to standard RAM sampling methods, while in the aquatic habitats at Black Island we increased the number of documented species by more than a third relative to MDC survey records dating back to 1940. eDNA sampling missed or failed to discriminate among very few species detected by RAM sampling or documented at Black Island. These missed species were either rare (often single specimens) or were pairs or trios of closely related species with highly similar sequences that were indiscernible using eDNA sequencing methods. Spatial analyses demonstrated that eDNA sampling was sensitive to changes in fish assemblages along Ozark stream habitat gradients, and habitat complexity at Black Island.
Speakers
DD

David Duvernell

Professor, Missouri S&T
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Dispersal of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Stocked in the Saginaw River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Maxwell D. Majinska, Quantitative Fisheries Center, Michigan State University; Christopher L. Cahill, Quantitative Fisheries Center, Michigan State University; Christopher S. Vandergoot, Great Lake Acoustic Telemetry Obersvation System

ABSTRACT: Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens reintroduction efforts are underway throughout the Great Lakes, often through the stocking juvenile fish. However, little is known about juvenile life-history and system-specific behaviors due to historical population declines prior to detailed scientific study, complicating effective management. Due to late maturation (15-25 years) and natal homing behavior of adults, understanding movement patterns of juveniles may provide useful data for evaluating reintroduction goals.

In 2017, the Saginaw River Basin was selected by the Lake Huron Lake Sturgeon Working Group for reintroduction after being functionally extirpated. Age-0 sturgeon are stocked in four rivers: the Cass, Flint, Shiawassee, and Tittabawassee. Natal streamside rearing is not currently proposed for this system; therefore, fish are sourced from the Black River Streamside Rearing Facility (BRSF, Onaway, MI) and the Genoa National Fish Hatchery (GNFH, Genoa, WI). Paired stocking provides a unique opportunity to compare the behavior of fish reared in different settings – non-natal streamside versus traditional groundwater – while using fish from the same genetic unit.

Our study evaluated movement patterns of stocked juvenile sturgeon released in 2022 and 2023 using passive acoustic telemetry. Fish (n = 80) from each hatchery were surgically implanted with InnovaSea V7 or V7D transmitters and stocked proportionally by tag type and hatchery origin among the four tributaries annually. Movement patterns were assessed by measuring total distance traveled, time to first detection, river residence time, and last known location. Preliminary results suggest BRSF fish begin moving downstream later; however, both hatcheries exhibit similar residence time and total travel distance.

Speakers
MM

Maxwell Majinska

Graduate Research Assistant, Michigan State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-07: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, roll in developing and maintaining invasive carp removal programs through the commercial fishing industry
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Joshua Tompkins, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Matthew Dollenbacher, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

ABSTRACT: Prior to the invasion of bigheaded carps into Kentucky waters’ there was a rich history of commercial fishing. This presentation will be a road map of how Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, developed a robust invasive carp harvest industry by leveraging preexisting commercial infrastructure, recruiting new partners into the process and engaging stakeholders to enact regulations to allow for less restrictive regulations with the aim at reducing invasive carp populations and limiting range expansion. Other aspects of the industry development, economics and public input about the perception of how these programs and initiative have towards successful meeting KDFWR goals, will be highlighted throughout.
Speakers
JT

Joshua Tompkins

Fisheries Biologist, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-08: Temporal variation in occupancy dynamics of ringed (Ambystoma annulatum) and marbled (A. opacum) salamanders in Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Thomas L Anderson, Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville



ABSTRACT: Documenting species occurrences in different habitat patches across spatiotemporal gradients is critical for understanding demographic trends. Species occurrence information also can help inform management actions by determining what patches constitute consistently occupied areas versus more infrequently used areas. Identification of the drivers of consistently occupied patches is also critical to infer high quality habitats. We monitored the occurrence of ringed (Ambystoma annulatum), a Species of Conservation Concern, and marbled (A. opacum) salamanders across an 11-year period (2012-2022) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. We surveyed 55 wetlands for the presence of each species during the larval period using a combination of minnow traps and dipnets. We analyzed occupancy using single-species multi-season occupancy models from the spOccupancy package in R. We compared the fit of spatial models, which account of spatial autocorrelation in state processes, with non-spatial models. We use a combination of habitat variables (e.g., canopy cover and hydroperiod) and climatic variables (e.g., drought or winter severity) to predict occupancy patterns. We found that non-spatial models fit the data better than the spatial models for both species. Using the non-spatial models, both species showed significant declines in occupancy over time. For marbled salamanders, occupancy probabilities were higher in years with reduced drought severity indices (i.e., wetter conditions) and semi-permanent wetlands compared to permanent wetlands. For ringed salamanders, occupancy probabilities tended to be higher in permanent wetlands, but no other habitat features or climate variables strongly affected ringed salamander occupancy. Further research on aspects of potential declines in these species’ occupancy at this study site are needed to identify potential mechanisms.
Speakers
TA

Tom Anderson

Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-09: Planning for our public: results from Wisconsin's 2023 mixed-methods recreation study
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Matteo Cleary, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; John Pohlman, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources;

ABSTRACT: Each state that receives Land and Water Conservation funding from the National Park Service is responsible for drafting plans for how it will disburse those funds to applicant organizations. State, county, and municipally owned properties are where much of Wisconsin's wildlife management and related recreation take place. We present results from a large mixed-methods effort to learn what our public experiences as they recreate in these places. We paired our publicly sourced data with responses from county and municipal recreation decisionmakers, which helped us build a more holistic picture of emerging needs for land and water management throughout the state, as they relate to recreation planning.
Speakers
MC

Matteo Cleary

Senior Social Scientist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-10: Employing Recreational Side-Scan Sonar to Evaluate the Relationship between Aquatic Vegetation and Sportfish Catch Rates across Ohio Reservoirs
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Authors: Augustus McAnally1, Taher Fletcher2, Jeremy Pritt3, Stephen Matter1, and Michael T. Booth4
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati
2U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office
3Ohio Division of Wildlife
4U.S. Geological Survey, Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

ABSTRACT: Abstract: Understanding the effects of habitat on sportfish population characteristics in reservoirs is important for management, however, comprehensive habitat data are rarely available. More recent developments, using side-scan sonar, provide means to create high-resolution habitat data. Most habitat assessments occur within single systems; few have compared habitat metrics among reservoirs to determine the effects of habitat on sportfish populations. Applying a recently developed habitat assessment protocol, we used recreational side-scan sonar to quantify littoral aquatic habitat in sixteen inland reservoirs across Ohio. Aquatic vegetation, large woody debris, and substrate type were manually classified for the entire accessible littoral zone of each reservoir. Currently, we are performing analyses to understand whether reservoir-wide habitat metrics explain variation in catch rates and size structure of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans) collected during standard spring electrofishing surveys. The study aims to evaluate whether variation in the amount of habitat among reservoirs affects Largemouth Bass populations and determine if aquatic vegetation and other habitat features can be utilized to manage sport fish populations in reservoirs.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-11: Evaluation of Eye Stalk Microchemistry as a Potential Indicator of Crayfish Environmental History
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Cameron Haeffner, Southern Illinois University; Dr. Greg Whitledge, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Naturally occurring chemical markers in calcified structures, such as otoliths and fin rays or spines, have been commonly used in the study of fish environmental history, including identifying natal environments of wild fish, distinguishing stocked from wild fish, and inferring sources of invasive species. There are a few examples of the use of natural chemical markers in aquatic invertebrates, but this technique has not been used for crayfishes. Eye stalks have been used to estimate age of some crustaceans and may contain a microchemical record of crayfish environmental history, although this has not been tested. The objectives of this study are to determine whether crayfish eye stalks reflect microchemical (Sr:Ca, Ba:Ca) signatures of water, whether water-eye stalk microchemistry relationships differ among species, and whether this structure retains microchemical signals of previously occupied environments following crayfish transfer or molting. Four species of crayfish (Faxonius virilis, F. illinoiensis, F. luteus, and F. punctimanus) were collected from several streams in Missouri and Illinois with different water microchemical signatures. A laboratory study was also conducted in which crayfish were transferred between waters with different Sr:Ca ratios to assess signature retention. Eye stalks were sectioned and analyzed using laser ablation-ICPMS. If eye stalks contain a microchemical record of crayfish environmental history as anticipated, this technique could potentially be used to reconstruct environmental history (e.g., origin, movement) of crayfishes in the wild and may also be useful for inferring sources of non-native species.
Speakers
CH

Cameron Haeffner

Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:10pm CST

S-12: Incorporating Ecological Design for Production and Resilience: A Case Study in the Lower Missouri River Floodplain
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:10pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Zack Miller, The Nature Conservancy

ABSTRACT: With mounting biodiversity and climate crises, there is increasing pressure on land stewards, farmers, and other leaders in land-use to make America’s ‘breadbasket’ more resilient. While there is overwhelming evidence that biodiversity underpins resilience, most Midwestern landscapes remain dominated by monocultures of annual crops, with biodiversity relegated to degraded and fragmented habitats. Designing, incentivizing, implementing, and maintaining biodiverse landscapes for both production and resilience to uncertain future conditions is a major challenge of our time.

In this talk, Zack Miller of The Nature Conservancy in Missouri will discuss landscape-scale ecological health and how the incorporation of ecological design can benefit human health and ecosystem function, undergirding more diverse, resilient, and regenerative socio-ecological systems. Miller will use the Missouri River Center, a new collaborative conservation project on the banks of the Missouri River in Boone County, MO, as a case study for exploring intentional design, co-benefits, cost-share opportunities, and polyculture food production in wetland and floodplain habitats. This ~164-acre project will be comprised by a mosaic of wetlands, alley cropping systems with native, flood-tolerant perennial fruit and nut trees, multi-functional riparian buffers, and amenities to support a variety of educational and training programs. The project aims to re-establish diverse food forests in the fertile floodplain and to serve as a learning and gathering place for public and partners.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:10pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Benefits and pitfalls of using time-lapse-photography to collect urban angler information
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Lewis J. Bruce, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; John Lorenzen, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Creel surveys (i.e., counting and interviewing anglers) are one of the sampling tools used to gauge the amount and type of fishing activity on a pond, lake, or river. Creel surveys provide important information about user demographics, preferences towards fish species and sizes of fish, fish harvest, trip length, and trip expenditures. Collecting these data gives managers insight into what their constituents want. A traditional creel survey consists of two components: 1) random counts of anglers to assess the level of use; and 2) angler interviews to determine more about the typical fishing trip (e.g., how long, what they are catching) and other information about the angler. Randomly counting anglers requires a creel clerk to be on site regularly and, therefore, limits the number of concurrent creel surveys that can be conducted using this traditional method. Another issue with traditional creel surveys is the fact that the mere presence of what some of the public perceive to be a law enforcement figure can result in anglers altering their behavior (e.g., leaving the lake). Time lapsed photography (TLP) was used to collect diurnal count data from multiple lakes simultaneously and these data were collected in an unbiased manner. Cameras were used seasonally (i.e., open water and ice fishing) at some locations and year-round at others. During a 4 year period 20 urban ponds were surveyed using TLP. Hide box maintenance, camera reliability, vandalism, and data processing efforts were also monitored and quantified during this project.
Speakers
LB

Lewis Bruce

Fisheries Research Biologist, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Reproductive Characteristics of a Vulnerable Riverine Specialist in the Unchannelized Missouri River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Benjamin J. Schall, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Lindsey A. P. LaBrie, USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, University of Arkansas; Tanner L. Carlson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Jeff S. Wesner, University of South Dakota; Chelsey A. Pasbrig, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Steven R. Chipps, USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Reproductive characteristics for populations of imperiled non-game species are not regularly studied but may be important for identifying factors associated with population sustainability. Understanding reproductive traits in vulnerable species, particularly long-lived species, may provide insight for implementing management actions to respond to changes in angling behavior. This study aimed to assess the reproductive characteristics of a stable population of long-lived Blue Suckers Cycleptus elongatus in the unchannelized Missouri River in South Dakota. We collected demographic information and gonads from 182 Blue Suckers in 2021-2022. We used Bayesian generalized linear mixed-effects models to assess length and weight relationships with gonadosomatic index (GSI) and fecundity and used spawning potential ratios (SPR) to model the influence of varying harvest and minimum length limit (MLL) scenarios. Fish lengths ranged from 560-821 mm. Female GSI increased with length to ~720 mm before declining, and male GSI remained consistent across lengths. Strong positive linear relationships were observed for GSI with fish weight and fecundity. Using recent natural mortality estimates for this population, SPR under current no-limit regulations decreases rapidly as fishing mortality (F) approached 0.10 but implementing a 660-mm MLL would prevent SPR from falling below acceptable limits (0.2-0.3) at F values as high as 0.69. This study demonstrates that reproductive data and SPR modeling can be used to provide length-based regulation recommendations for vulnerable, non-game species that receive less management focus.
Speakers
BS

BJ Schall

Fisheries Biologist, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-07: Copious Copi: Using Incentives and Marketing to Control Bigheaded Carps
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: James E. Garvey, jgarvey@siu.edu, Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
Kevin S. Irons, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL, USA
Gina Behnfeldt, Tetra Tech, Langhorne, PA, USA

ABSTRACT: Invasive bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) threaten rivers of the central US, the Great Lakes, and potentially other drainages in North America. A pilot commercial fishing incentive program was initiated in the lower Illinois River in 2012 to help control carp populations, which rapidly removed 1,500 tons of biomass. In 2019, a modified incentive program began and has expanded to other invaded river basins. In 2022, a branding and marketing effort named the seafood product derived from bigheaded carp as Copi, allowing consumers to recognize these fishes as an environmentally sound and responsible alternative to other seafood choices in North America. The Copi brand has gained interest nationwide, with food processors and distributors engaged. A total of 7,650 tons of Copi have been removed from the Illinois River and Ohio River Basins. The challenge will be to develop a self-supporting regional fishing industry that controls and contains these fishes while also aiding fisheries and aquaculture for native species.
Speakers
JG

James Garvey

Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-08: Weather weirding and frog phenology: how some species may adapt to climate change
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Melissa B. Youngquist, John G. Shedd Aquarium

ABSTRACT: Many wetland species are reliant upon predictable patterns of precipitation for breeding and recruitment. However, climate change models show that unpredictable precipitation may become the new normal. And while many studies have investigated the effects of global warming on amphibian phenology, few have investigated effects of changed precipitation patterns. Between 2020-2024, the Chicago area experience a wide range of annual precipitation patterns. Notably, 2021 and 2023 had winter and spring droughts followed by extreme precipitation in mid-summer that refilled some wetlands. Here, I report the phenological breeding response of six amphibian species to various patterns of annual precipitation. Boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata) and American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) seemed to have a high degree of plasticity in breeding phenology - I documented delayed and repeated breeding by these species in drought years when wetlands refilled in late June – mid July. However, species with explosive breeding strategies did not show delayed or repeated breeding. Overall, this study highlights the potential adaptability of some species to changes in patterns of precipitation.
Speakers
MY

Melissa Youngquist

Research Biologist, Shedd Aquarium
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-09: Producer's views on conservation programs in the Rainwater Basin region of Nebraska
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Natalia Hagen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Matthew Gruntorad, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Sarah Ulrichsen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Christopher C. Chizinski, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

ABSTRACT: The Rainwater Basin in south-central Nebraska is a working landscape with numerous wetlands and important wildlife habitats. We conducted phone interviews with 198 agricultural producers across 10 counties in the Rainwater Basin region to understand their perspectives on conservation programs and their level of concern towards the environmental issues of climate change, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Results indicated that none of the interviewed producers were currently participating in conservation programs despite their concerns about water pollution on a local level. Coding of the interviews revealed four major themes as to why producers were no longer participating in conservation programs and an overall lack of strong positive or negative opinions towards these programs. This suggests agricultural producers may lack confidence in the ability of conservation programs in their current state to be of personal benefit. To increase conservation program participation, it will be critical to recognize what producers need to facilitate enrollment.
Speakers
NH

Natalia Hagen

Undergraduate research assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-10: In the weeds: the role of aquatic macrophytes in predicting the success of Walleye recruitment in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Robert Davis, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin; Ellen Albright, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin; Katie Hein, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin; Michael Verhoeven, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities; Zach Feiner, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin & Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Aquatic macrophytes provide important habitat for fish at various life stages and can influence fish population characteristics such as growth and size structure. Even though aquatic plants are generally considered to be important to fish communities, the exact nature of the relationship is not well understood. Moreover, multiple factors (climate, aquatic invasive species, nutrient loads) are causing aquatic plant communities to shift through time. Walleye are a culturally and economically important species to the upper Midwest that are currently experiencing declines in recruitment success due to climate change and other factors. In this study, we seek to elucidate the role that aquatic vegetation plays in determining walleye recruitment success. Point-intercept aquatic plant surveys from Minnesota and Wisconsin were used to quantitatively describe plant communities in lakes spanning 2003 to 2018, and annual fall electrofishing recruitment surveys were used to quantify walleye recruitment during the same time period. Random forest models were used to understand the nature of the relationship of aquatic plant communities to walleye recruitment and any interactions that may exist between aquatic plant communities and other important environmental variables previously found to influence walleye recruitment success (e.g., growing degree days, lake surface area). Overall, we hope to determine pertinent interactions between Walleye recruitment success and aquatic macrophyte communities, which could inform habitat management strategies that may benefit Walleye fisheries throughout the region.
Speakers
RD

Robert Davis

Research Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-11: Clawing for Survival: Mapping Invasive and Endemic Crayfishes in the Upper Saint Francis River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Anna Raney, University of Missouri and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Jacob Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Crayfish invasions are among the top global threats to native crayfish populations. In Missouri, cross-basin introductions have impacted multiple endemic species. The Saint Francis River crayfish (Faxonius quadruncus) and Big Creek crayfish (F. peruncus), endemic to the upper Saint Francis River (USFR) drainage in Missouri, are currently under threat of extinction due to introductions of Woodland Crayfish (F. hylas) from nearby drainages. Previous research has documented reduced abundances and range reductions for both native species in reaches invaded by Woodland Crayfish. However, the entire ranges of the native species have not been systematically sampled prior to this study, and past survey data documenting the invasion are over 15 years old. Management agencies need updated information to create an informed recovery plan for the two threatened species. Using a stratified random sampling design, we conducted a basin-wide distribution survey at 96 sites across the USFR drainage in 2022-2023. We incorporated presence-absence data from this survey with coarse-scale environmental variables into random forest, boosted regression, and spatial stream network models to create species distribution models for the two endemic species and the invasive Woodland Crayfish population. Additionally, we used targeted, intensive sampling to locate the leading edges of invasion in six streams. During these efforts, we discovered and mapped additional invasions in two major tributaries to the USFR drainage and documented a 1.4 km range expansion upstream from the 2009 leading edge in Orr Hollow Creek. The Woodland Crayfish is now present in most major tributaries on the left side of the basin as well as multiple locations in the mainstem river. Despite these range expansions, small impoundments at multiple locations appeared to harbor refuge populations of endemic crayfish based on survey data. Results from this study can be used to identify refugia for native species and locate barriers to further invasion.
Speakers
AR

Anna Raney

Biological Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:30pm CST

S-12: Not Just for Ducks: Facilitated Discussion
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:30pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT:
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:30pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Lessons and advice on the development of a mobile-entry platform
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Keith Hurley, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

ABSTRACT: FinCatchDE is a mobile-friendly, data entry application that was developed as part of the FinCatch ecosystem - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s new database and analysis system for lentic fish sampling data. Utilizing a University of Nebraska – Lincoln capstone computer science project provided a low-cost alternative in obtaining a team of developers to generate this component. Additionally, along the way both technological and data-driven innovations were implemented to improve fish community sampling in the state. We will discuss the process and ideas used for FinCatchDE during this presentation in the hopes that others who are upgrading and transitioning their sampling databases can benefit from our lessons learned.
Speakers
avatar for Keith Hurley

Keith Hurley

Fish and Wildlife Specialist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Native Rough Fish Management Progress in Minnesota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shannon J. Fisher, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: “Rough fish” is a term used to describe multiple native fish species historically perceived by agencies and anglers as having limited value to sport fisheries. Rough fish have been frequently deemed to degrade aquatic habitats, compete with more desired gamefish species, and have low-to-no ecosystem or cultural value. In 2022, the Minnesota legislature directed the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop recommendations for statutory and rule changes to provide necessary conservation measures and research needs for 26 native species designated as rough fish. The DNR convened a stakeholder group of bowfishers, commercial fish harvesters, anglers, and conservation organizations; collected public input on attitudes and management scenarios; and solicited input from Tribes to inform “rough fish” management recommendations. In 2024, the Minnesota legislature elevated the status of “native” rough fish by removing invasive fishes from this new designation and establishing additional protections. As a result of improved native rough fish status, the DNR has launched rulemaking to establish daily and possession limits and restitution values. This presentation will detail the process the DNR undertook with diverse stakeholders and the legislature to inform the passage of the “native rough fish” law and related recommendations for helping ensure more sustainable management of these underappreciated species in Minnesota.
Speakers
SF

Shannon Fisher

Fisheries Populations Monitoring and Regulations Manager, MN DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-07: Use of Invasive Species to Address Food Security
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mark Morgan, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri

ABSTRACT: The prevalence of malnutrition is high and growing at an alarming rate in developing countries. Countless women and children suffer from anemia, stunting and/or wasting due to a low intake of protein and other essential nutrients. Use of invasive species is a promising, but overlooked strategy to address food security. The Mississippi River Basin has been affected negatively by the spread of silver and bighead carp since their introduction in the early 1970s. Invasive carp are overly abundant in many watersheds, yet few efforts have focused on population reduction since domestic markets are scarce. Consumption is a viable option, but Americans often think of silver and bighead carp as trash fish. As a result, many of them are thrown into landfills or turned into low value products such as fertilizer or animal feed. However, lab tests show that invasive carp are among the most healthy and nutritious freshwater fish in the U.S. In powdered form, they contain a unique profile of nutrients and vitamins that are needed for human health and brain development. Use of silver carp as a food ingredient is one solution to increase the nutritional benefits of child-bearing women and young children, especially for infants in the first 1,000 days of life. The goal of Eat MO Carp is to produce a complementary food using silver carp to address food security and malnutrition at home and abroad, thus helping to restore Midwest rivers.
Speakers
MM

Mark Morgan

Assoc. Professor, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-08: Population genetics of the crawfish frog (Rana areolata) in Oklahoma support a single taxon with little genetic differentiation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Neil R. Balchan1, Owen M. Edwards1,2, Yucheol Shin3,4, Kaleb M. Banks1, Michael S. Reichert1, Bo Zhang1, Damien Esquerré51 Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA

2 Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA

3 Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA

4 Department of Herpetology, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA

5 School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia

ABSTRACT: The crawfish frog (R. areolata) is an ecologically enigmatic species that is endemic to the United States and is of conservation concern throughout most of its range. Despite recent research, little is known about population and landscape genetics of this species. Traditional taxonomic schemes have suggested the presence of a northern and southern subspecies, with an area of contact in Oklahoma. While these subspecies designations were based on morphological descriptions of disparate individuals and likely do not represent range-wide morphological or genetic, they have largely been accepted and used by various agencies. Here, we use genomic data to understand these themes in Oklahoma, with the goals of understanding the patterns of spatial genetics for this species. We use a panel of genome wide single nucleotide polymorphism loci to understand population differentiation, relatedness of individuals across the landscape, and connectivity of populations. We also explore the roles of two proposed biogeographic barriers, the Arkansas and Canadian rivers, in structuring subspecies limits. Finally, we use ecological niche modelling to explore how post-glacial expansion of species ranges might contribute to patterns of current population structure seen in the crawfish frog. Our data reveal that crawfish frogs in Oklahoma exhibit minimal genetic structuring, inconsistent with what would be expected for a contact zone between two evolutionarily significant units. Our models suggest a constrained distribution for this species in southern Texas during the last glacial maximum, and subsequent rapid expansion northward over the last 20,000 years as deglaciation occurred. Conservation approaches should consider the current genetic makeup of crawfish frogs when planning management efforts, and our data suggest little genetic differentiation among populations in northern parts of the current geographic distribution.
Speakers
NB

Neil Balchan

Graduate student, Oklahoma State Univeresity
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-09: Discussion: Social Science Needs and Priorities
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT:
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-10: Public and professional perspectives on aquatic plant management and research
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Zachary S. Feiner, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology; Alexander Latzka, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Allison Mikulyuk, University of Wisconsin-Madison Aquatic Science Center; Heidi Rantala, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Bethany Bethke, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Ellen Albright, University of Wisconsin-Madison Discovery Farms; Catherine Hein, University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology

ABSTRACT: Aquatic vegetation provides critical habitat for fishes throughout life. However, aquatic vegetation is changing in many lakes due to increased lakeshore development, invasive species, and climate change. Underappreciated and poorly understood linkages between aquatic plants and fish could serve as an underutilized opportunity to support fisheries outcomes by considering management of plant and fish communities in concert. Researchers in the Upper Midwest are currently engaged in a broadscale effort to understand relationships between aquatic plant and fish communities in temperate lakes with the goal of better informing current management practices and developing new habitat management tools. In the process, it became clear that the large number of potential quantifiable predictors and responses (e.g., individual, population, and community-level metrics for both plants and fish) and broad range of possible management partners necessitated a clearer understanding of the major issues and priority questions surrounding current plant management practices. We held multiple workshops with state, federal, tribal, and local agencies, as well as public stakeholders, to seek input on aquatic plant and lake habitat management goals, barriers, and research questions. We discuss outcomes of these workshops, including identifying high-priority research needs and management questions, as well as similarities and differences in perspectives among groups. This feedback provided tangible objectives for performing applicable science around aquatic plant management, while also providing important information for lake decision-makers on an important but previously rarely considered issue in fisheries management.
Speakers
ZF

Zachary Feiner

Research Scientist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

Poster Session & Tradeshow Social
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST