Another Successful Annual Meeting: 2023 Recap
The 2023 NDCTWS Annual Meeting, our first in-person meeting in 2 years, was an absolute blast! Some 220 wildlifers from across the state turned out for the annual meeting.
Rough registration breakdown for the annual meeting is as follows:
Workshop Registration: 67
Professional Registration: 157
Student Registration: 63
Student Professional luncheon: 35 professionals, unknown - students were free
Professional Women’s Social: 37 professionals, unknown - students were free
On February 7th, a workshop titled Trees - A Prairie Conservation Puzzle was held prior to the annual meeting kick off that had a fully packed agenda. It provided participants with information regarding conservation efforts, challenges, planting standards, and stakeholder perceptions of trees on the prairie in North Dakota. This was concluded by the workshop organizers, David Dewald and Mike McEnroe, asking “What have we learned? Where do we go from here? Are we making progress or losing ground on ND prairies?” in an open discussion with the group.
The first official day of the conference (February 8th) was entirely student focused with multiple student presentations and the poster session. This ended with a lively panel discussion with two early career professional (Consulting & Federal) and two hiring professionals (NGO & Federal) around finding and obtaining a job in the wildlife field. This was immediately followed by the UND Alumni Social where alumni and friends connected over drinks and appetizers.
The night ended with games, drinks, food, and fun at the Fundraising Social, Buffet, & Auction. The fundraising committee did not hold back this year, showing up with new game ideas such as Critters of Fortune and $20 for 20. The auction was of course as lively as usual with members actively biding on some really great items. The raffle winners this year were:
1st Prize - Tikka 6.5 Creedmore: Sean Bertie
2nd Prize - Franchii semi-auto 20 gauge: Jeff Miller
3rd Prize - Savage O/U 16 gauge: Levi Jacobson
The net profit for all fundraising efforts ended up around $10,500. Big thank you to the fundraising committee and all who joined, drank, and lightened their wallets. :)
Day 2 (February 9th) commenced with the Annual Business Meeting that included a review of the 2022 budget, approval of the 2023 budget, standing committee updates, elections, working group updates, and the membership in attendance appeased with breakfast and coffee. New board members elected were Jesse Kolar (NDGFD) and Page Klug (USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services) and the new president-elect is Phil Mastrangelo (USDA Wildlife Services, Retired). The proposed bylaws change for the Fiscal Year to become July 1 through June 30 passed with a majority approval.
The second half of Day 2 was aligned with our theme for the conference “Prairie Winds of Change” and kickoff by our Keynote Speaker, James Rattling Leaf, Sr., who gave a talk on Developing Tribal Decision Making Capacity in a Changing Climate. The day ended with the Professional Women’s Social where women in wildlife and friends conversed and participated in the silent auction while enjoying wine, crumbl cookies, and Nothing Bundt Cakes; followed by the Awards Social and Banquet.
2023 Award Winners:
Best Graduate Student Poster – Esben Kjaer, NDSU, Title: Kentucky bluegrass removal promotes native plants used by wildlife.
Best Undergraduate Student Poster – Bonnie Thompson, UJ, Title: Mechanical method of entrapment for tree swallow banding
Best Overall Oral Presentation – We had a tie!
Ellysa Johnson, NDSU, Title: Cattle grazing of common and showy milkweed differs with rangeland management strategy and increases throughout the grazing season
Bethany Roberton, NDSU, Title: Bee and floral composition in various grazing regimes following a drought year.
2023 Undergraduate Scholarship – Two Recipients
Levin Brandt, UND
Madison (Madi) Namanny, VCSU
2023 Graduate Scholarship – Two Recipients
Taylor Linder, UND
Bethany Roberton, NDSU
Bill Bicknell Scholarship – Levin Brandt, UND
North Dakota Wildlife Habitat Award – Kevin Kading, NDGFD
North Dakota Award – Jill Shaffer, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Case of the Year Award – No Nominations were received this year.
Outgoing President’s Award – Rachel Bush, Pheasants Forever
CMPS Professional Award – Mike McEnroe
Mike McEnroe was nominated for the 2023 CMPS Professional Award; however, we were informed that the nomination could not be accepted because he won the award in 2019.
We were unsure if Mike was aware he had won in 2019, as the Chapter was not aware of this, so we are celebrating this achievement at the 2023 Awards Banquet.
The last day of the meeting (February 10th) concluded with our remaining professional talks and closing remarks from the New President Bob Newman. Thank you to all who planned, helped, and volunteered time! This conference would not have been possible without these individuals.
SEE YOU ALL AGAIN IN 2024!
