Camera Trap Survey Design and Occupancy Analysis
We are fortunate to have Marcella Kelly of Virginia Tech and David Miller of Penn State University lead our Camera Trap Survey Design and Analysis Workshop. Camera traps are increasingly being used as a method for monitoring wildlife species, and they allow managers to document a wide-range of relevant biological variables such as occurrence, distribution, phenology and activity patterns, co-occurrence and species interactions, and abundance. In the morning the workshop will focus on the design of camera trap studies, including types of equipment, camera placement, and study design considerations. In the afternoon the workshop will shift to data analysis with a focus on occupancy models. Occupancy modeling can be used to estimate spatial distribution, habitat relationships, and patterns of co-occurrence among species. Participants should bring a laptop. This workshop will be beneficial for beginners interested in how camera trapping works and for those with intermediate experience who want to learn more about design and analysis of their data. The fee is $100 for a professional and $50 for a student. The price includes lunch and a coffee break. Please note that this workshop is capped at 30 attendees.
Wildlife Disease Recognition and Testing in the Northeast
An excellent team is lined up to lead our Wildlife Disease Recognition and Testing Workshop. Drs. Julie Ellis and Walter Cottrell of the Northeast Wildlife Disease Cooperative, Drs. Heather Fenton and Mark Ruder of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Dr. Maria Forzan of Cornell University, and Dr. Megan Kirchgessner of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will speak on how wildlife disease emergence and resurgence threatens the sustainability of healthy population levels and long-term survival for many wildlife species in the Northeast as well as threatening biodiversity and ecosystem health. This workshop provides an introduction to wildlife disease investigation with a focus on diseases that are of particular significance in the Northeast. You will learn about some commonly encountered and emerging diseases that are significant to wildlife conservation, as well as diseases that are at the interface of wildlife, humans, and domestic animals. Diseases frequently reported by the public to wildlife agencies and those that result in resource-intensive agency control programs will also be touched on. The practical aspects of field investigations will be covered, including how to document a mortality event, collect samples, and protect yourself (and wildlife) from disease transmission. In addition to lecture, attendees will participate in practical investigation and response scenarios in which actual disease events are presented. You will also receive information on networks and resources for wildlife health. The fee is $90 for a professional and $45 for a student. The price includes lunch and a coffee break.
If you are interested in one of these workshops, please don’t delay in signing up. These workshop topics were the most requested topics by our membership.
To register for the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference visit: http://www.neafwa.org/registration.html