Washington Chapterof The Wildlife Society |
Meeting at a Glance (subject to change)
- Forestry & Silviculture for Wildlife Biologists in the PNW
- Wildlife Handling & Chemical Immobilization (Day1)
- Evening DEI Social- Wildlife Handling & Chemical Immobilization (Day 2)- PNW Amphibian Monitoring Network- Moving our "Newtwork" Forward- Wildlife Necropsies & Mortality Site Investigation- Telemetry Techniques- Forest Landscape Management for Wildlife: Sponsored by the TWS Forestry & Wildlife Working Group
-Vendor set-up
- Plenary session- Poster Session set-up
- Business Lunches (SNVB and NW PARC will be combined)- Afternoon Special & Concurrent Sessions
- Managing Through Disturbance: Wildlife and Habitat Response to Natural Events
- Collaborative Land Conservation & Funding (ignite talks
- Poster Session & Student/Professional Mixer including an optional Resume Review Workshop- Welcome Reception & Silent Auction
- Afternoon Special & Concurrent Sessions- Breakfast with a Biologist including an optional Resume Review Workshop
- Morning Special & Concurrent Sessions
- Herps & Disease
- Wildlife Habitat Connectivity
- Detection Dogs, Technology, & Conservation
- Resume Review Workshop- Banquet Dinner, Award Ceremony, & Silent Auction
Interstate 5 Padden Creek Fish and Wildlife Underpass and State Route 20 Red Cabin Creek Wildlife Overpass Project Area
What it is: Take a trip up Interstate 5 (I-5) to learn about fish and wildlife habitat connectivity improvements undertaken by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), City of Bellingham, and partners. Field trip participants will tour the 2022 Padden Creek fish and wildlife underpass south of Bellingham and discuss the rationale and process leading to improvements, as well as insights gleaned from ongoing wildlife monitoring with motion-activated cameras. This fish passage project is part of WSDOT’s US District Court Injunction action to correct barriers to salmon and steelhead in the Puget Sound watershed and simultaneously benefits local terrestrial wildlife populations. Two miles of upstream habitat, used by six fish species, was restored by replacing an undersized 5’ square box culvert with two 44’ span bridges. Improvements resulted in increased connectivity and decreased deer-vehicle collisions. The tour will also include two additional projects by the City of Bellingham to improve riparian habitat, water quality, and fish passage immediately downstream of I-5. The WSDOT and City projects were designed in coordination and show how project proponents can leverage their efforts to secure funding and improve watershed function.
In addition, we will have the opportunity to visit the Stillaguamish Tribe’s Red Cabin Creek wildlife overcrossing project area on State Route 20. This Tribally led project seeks to reduce elk-vehicle collisions and provide a safe crossing for all species within an area that experiences one of the highest rates of elk-vehicle collisions in the state. This project is in the planning stage, with construction anticipated in the next three years. Field trip participants will visit the planned overcrossing site and discuss implementing habitat connectivity projects within other transportation projects like fish barrier removals, versus standalone wildlife crossing projects like SR 20 Red Cabin Creek. Don’t miss Jen Sevigny’s (Stillaguamish Tribe) presentation March 27 at 9:30 am (Habitat Connectivity Session), where you can learn much more about this exciting project!
Snohomish Estuary Restoration & Spencer Island Wildlife Area
What it is: The Spencer Island Wildlife Area is a flat, grassy, intertidal complex ringed by mixed forest, located in the Snohomish River estuary. This area offers waterfowl hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The island is jointly-owned/managed by WDFW and the Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Department. In 2005, an act of nature breached a dike on the WDFW property on the northwest side of the island, restoring tidal influence to the area. WDFW and its partners are working together to continue restoration of the estuarine system.
What we will do: Join us to learn what it takes to complete an estuary restoration project in Puget Sound from conceptual development to construction. Use the time in this estuarine environment to watch the plethora of species that use the site and identify wetland vegetation, both native and invasive. This trip will take participants throughout a wetland complex, with extended hiking and ample opportunities for birdwatching, all while discussing the extensive restoration that has occurred throughout the estuary.
Feeling Social? Join us for these evening opportunities to socialize and network!