Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2019

AUTHORS. Carlos Calderon, Grand Valley State University and the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds

ABSTRACT. A long-term, community-based stream monitoring program will be developed for Indian Mill Creek, a 3^rd order tributary of the Grand River (Kent County, Michigan). This 11,000-acre watershed is designated impaired by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) due to non-attainment of habitat quality and low aquatic faunal diversity. This monitoring program will establish baseline metrics, identify priority sites for restoration, recommend appropriate and effective Best Management Practices (BMPs), and assess effects of restoration practices. Two grant funded programs are currently providing funding to landowners to implement restoration practices. Citizen Scientists will be trained over the course of a year to be familiar with the MDEQ’s Surface Water Assessment Section Procedure 51. This qualitative rapid bioassessment tool will be used to examine the changes in macroinvertebrate communities and habitat qualities. Citizen Scientists from the watershed will continue collecting habitat and biotic data quarterly to assess response of conservation and restoration practices implemented over the course of 5 years.

AUTHORS. Cary D. Chevalier, Department of Biology, Missouri Western State University

ABSTRACT. Every college/university has some student organizations, each addressing an area of interest to some students.  Some focus on support experiences for degree development and some are actually associated with a national or international professional organizations having similar interests and goals.  Student Chapters of The Wildlife Society are among these types.  A constant challenge of any student organization is attracting and retaining active members.  Undergraduates have lots to do in the 4 short years they have to become competitive for the coming job market (whether in the industry, or on to graduate school).  I herein offer some suggestions as to what sets apart an excellent Student Chapter from others.  Student Chapters must have a clear mission and relevant goals.  These must be known and understood by all student members, and their faculty advisor(s).  The Student Chapter must have an involved faculty advisor whose work unit understands and supports his/her efforts.  There must be demonstrable “context” to the students’ professional development (What is in it for me?).  Students must be empowered and encouraged, but guided, to develop and lead their organization.  The Student Chapter should address what I call the “Trilogy Success”: Leadership of development, Skill development, and Professional development.  The Student Chapter must be incorporated in the degree program culture.  I suggest it be considered as a “capstone Applied Learning experience” that begins when the students join, and continues until graduation.  The Student Chapter should have demonstrable context relating to the students’ degree requirements, and reinforce and extend experiences begun in the course environment (lecture and/or lab).  The strategic purpose of a Student Chapter should be to provide Applied Learning through the Trilogy of Success mentioned above outside the traditional classroom format.