The Wildlife Professional - Spring 2010 2009

Vol. 3 No. 4 Winter 2009

Not Hunted, But Not Protected In Dr. Jon Beckmann’s article “Bears Will Be Bears” in the Winter 2009 issue of The Wildlife Professional, he states under the heading ‘The Price of Conflict’ that bears have a protected status in Nevada. While Nevada does have classifications for protected and unprotected wildlife, black bears are actually classified as a game mammal with a closed hunting season.

The distinction is significant. Though black bears are currently not hunted, they are not a protected species and therefore do not have protected status. If they were a protected species it would create even more management challenges. The article has generated a couple phone calls to my office and may warrant this clarification.

Kevin C. Lansford Furbearer/Predator Staff Specialist Nevada Department of Wildlife

Vol. 3 No. 3

Fall 2009

Semantics Matter

A “General” news item on page 18 of the State of Wildlife department in the Fall 2009 issue of TWP presented inaccurate information. The piece concerned a federal District Court decision to overturn the 2008 U.S. Forest Service Planning Rule. The news item stated that the National Forest Management Act of 1976 requires that the Forest Service provide for the diversity of plant and animal species. This is not correct. NFMA requires that the agency “provide for diversity of plant and animal communities” (emphasis mine).

This is not merely a semantic issue. The precise wording of statutes and associated regulations matters, as does an understanding thereof by wildlife professionals—particularly as more and more resource conservation decisions are made by the courts. Framers of the 1976 legislation understood that a species-by-species approach to conservation on our national forests simply isn’t possible due to limited financial resources and gaps in our knowledge of even the most basic life history information for literally thousands of species. Hence the importance placed on a community-based approach.

Dan Dessecker, CWB Director of Conservation Policy Ruffed Grouse Society

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Support for Young Professionals

Several previous issues of The Wildlife Professional, containing articles on certification, diversity, and education, have precipitated this letter. Though I agree that wildlife biologists and managers must have well-rounded knowledge to be successful, I believe some of the ideas suggested in TWP are unrealistic.

I don’t believe an educational track characterized by pre-medical intensity will attract a diverse base of wildlife students. Some students may not recognize wildlife studies as a viable career path until late into university. Those highly experienced undergraduates who do emerge from rigorous wildlife programs will soon be thrust into a field unable to absorb the available workforce or pay reasonable wages.

For early-career professionals, particularly technicians, there is little employer support for formal professional development such as courses at the National Conservation Training Center. And the costs of taking an advanced academic course through a university can outweigh the potential career benefit.

I would like to propose some ideas to support the commendable goals of social diversity and academic professionalism advocated in TWP:

1. A TWS membership and event registration fee tier available to low-paid, degree-holding wildlife technical workers.

2. A scholarship or grant program for post-university developing professionals to attend TWS conferences and workshops or academic classes.

3. An online forum for TWS members to arrange shared travel and lodging for TWS conferences or workshops.

4. A host biologist program in TWS conference locations to offer lodging and mentoring to young attendees.

5. A decentralized professional development program, where qualified TWS members lead low- or no-cost workshops and can earn communications credits for certification.

6. An urban high school visitation program, where TWS biologists present wildlife career options and can earn communications credits for certification.

7. An outreach program to wildlife employers, emphasizing the importance of professional networking and career development.

8. A TWS standardized testing system, where members who have proficiency in a subject can demonstrate their knowledge as required for TWS certification.