Promoting the science and practice of conservation in Wisconsin
Rapid adaptation to climate change: snowshoe hares
Taylor Peltier,
MS student, Forest and Wildlife Ecology, UW-Madison
Can species adapt rapidly to climate change? If so, how do they do it? Taylor will share parts of her MS research studying the local adaptive capacity of snowshoe hares, as well as climate change implications for other color coat molting species and a history of snowshoe hare research in Wisconsin.
Registration link coming soon!
Cait Williamson, director of conservation programs, Natural Resources Foundation of WisconsinThe Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is the bridge connecting people who want to help with meaningful opportunities to make a lasting impact on Wisconsin’s land, waters, wildlife, and future stewards.
Join a Zoom conversation as Cait talks about ways to get involved and get outdoors with the Natural Resources Foundation, including the ever-popular field trip program, Wayfarers (nature experiences for young professionals), and the Great Wisconsin Birdathon.
Cait oversees the Foundation’s grant programs and initiatives for conservation and environmental education. Her work encompasses conservation science planning, partnership development, and capacity building. Cait has an MSC in environmental conservation from UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and a BA in biology and environmental studies from Lawrence University.
Are you interested in helping connect the conservation community in Wisconsin? Make a lasting impact on the Wisconsin Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology (WSCB) by joining our volunteer board of directors!
This flexible volunteer position is a great way to network with other conservation professionals, gain experience, and make a difference in the community. While we can’t hold in-person events now, we’re gearing up to bring people together for virtual talks and social hours on conservation topics.
Now accepting applications – apply here by August 28th! Learn more about board member and committee positions here.
WSCB seeks to build community among conservation-minded professionals and students in Wisconsin and advance the science and practice of conservation biology. We hold social hours and talks (currently virtual) and keep our members informed on conservation science and advocacy. Questions? Connect with us at wisconbio@gmail.com.
COVID-19 and social distancing don’t mean the learning and networking stop. We’re taking Conservation on Tap online! Look for details on a new topic this September. Don’t forget to bring your own drink and all your questions.
Have suggestions for a future Conservation on Tap? Email us at wisconbio@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, check out Sophia Winkler-Schor, a PhD student at UW-Madison and board member of the Society for Conservation Biology’s Social Science Working Group, at her blog on Psychology Today, research page orTwitter.
Join us on Thursday, Feb 20 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm at a downtown Madison location to be posted soon!
Have a few drinks, learn something new about the world around us, and socialize with people who think cocktails and conservation is a cool combination.
February’s Conservation On Tap speaker is Kyle Minks, Watershed Manager at Dane County Land and Water Resources Department. Kyle will talk about Innovative Conservation to Improve Water Quality.
Kyle coordinates the county’s efforts in implementing the Yahara WIN’s Adaptive Management Project, assisting agricultural producers and landowners with conservation practice implementation, and implementation of the counties 2017 Legacy Sediment budget initiative. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with Bachelor’s Degrees in both Biology and Water Resources Management in 2007. He also attended the University of Wisconsin Madison graduating with Masters degrees in both Water Resources Management and Soil Science in 2010.
Join us on Thursday, January 16th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm at Barriques Café – West Wash in Madison, WI
January’s Conservation On Tap is hosted at Barriques Café – West Wash in Madison! Our speaker is Nancy Sheehan, Citizen Science Coordinator for the Journey North project at the UW-Arboretum. Nancy will be sharing about the Journey North citizen science program. This program engages an international audience in tracking wildlife migrations and seasonal changes.
About Journey North:
Journey North is a citizen science program that engages an international audience in tracking wildlife migrations and seasonal changes. Launched at the dawn of the internet in 1993, Journey North has expanded to include over 20 interactive maps that depict migration happening in real time. For example, in the spring, you can watch these maps to experience the journey of monarchs as they migrate from their overwintering sites in Mexico to breeding territory in the U.S. and Canada. In the fall, watch monarchs and other species such as Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate south. Today, Journey North has a roster of 33,000 members who contribute over 50,000 observations each year. Migration updates shared via blog posts, email notifications, and social media channels help to foster excitement and participation across the North American continent – from Canada and the United States to Mexico. Journey North also offers a wide selection of inquiry-based educational materials as well as projects designed for youth participation. This citizen-generated data enhances scientific understanding of migratory species – their migration routes and habitat needs. Ultimately, collaborative efforts like Journey North that involves both scientists and citizen scientists contribute to climate change research.
About Nancy Seehan:
Nancy joined the Arboretum in fall 2018 after managing the Rock River Coalition volunteer stream monitoring program for seven years. Nancy is passionate about citizen science. She earned a master’s degree in environmental management from Yale University. She also served in the Peace Corps in West Africa and, after working in the field of international development, moved to Madison to pursue further graduate studies at the UW–Madison Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies. Nancy lives in a Lake Wingra neighborhood. She has many cherished memories of visiting natural springs, listening to sandhill cranes, and cross-country skiing in the Arboretum.
Submit your nomination for the WSCB Board of Directors 2019-2020
Make a lasting impact on the Wisconsin Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology (WSCB) and support Wisconsin’s conservation community by joining our volunteer board of directors. Submit your nomination by August 23 here:
https://forms.gle/CsaGHdJGRhtHxX2NA
Serving on the WSCB Board of Directors allows you to help further our strategic mission of fostering collaborative relationships among conservation professionals, NGO and agency leaders, higher education faculty, and students throughout the state of Wisconsin. In addition to supporting our larger strategic goals, you will make important decisions about our finances, communications, initiatives, and engagement in statewide and local conservation policy.
Please see here for more information on specific roles and responsibilities of board members. Roles and responsibilities typically change based on the unique strengths and interests of current board members.
Board members will be voted in by WSCB members and begin their new role in early fall for either one or two-year terms. The Chapter’s members include natural resource managers, educators, government and private conservation workers, students, and those interested in the principles of conservation.
Questions? Connect with us at wisconbio@gmail.com.
Wisconsin’s businesses are collaborating with the public sector to pursue environmental conservation initiatives, and we want to know more about it! What does this kind of partnership look like? Are we (businesses, conservation professionals, non-profits and agencies) successfully leveraging these opportunities in our state?
Join us and Sustain Dane on Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00pm in Union South on the UW-Madison campus to hear from a panel of local business leaders whose companies are involved in conservation. Dr. Brent Haglund, Chief Scientific Officer at the Sand County Foundation, will lead a two-way conversation with the audience and business leaders to explore successful public-private partnerships in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology 