International Wildlife Management Symposium - Managing Wildlife in the Next Century

Traditional art in Vancouver, British Columbia

On December 8th and 9th, I had the opportunity to travel to British Columbia to attend the International Wildlife Management Symposium held by The Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia. There was a great line-up of presenters from all over Canada, the United States and beyond! I met with hunters and wildlife biologists from several Canadian provinces, US states, Kyrgyzstan, Zimbabwe, Norway and many others. The underlying theme of the symposium was comparing The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation to other systems in the world today. The system of conservation forward-thinking people created over 100 years ago has been deemed the greatest natural resources success stories in human history. Through wise-use of natural resources, particularly regulated hunting of wildlife, managers have saved dozens of species from certain extinction.  

Ron Thomson, a noted Game Ranger from the former colony of Rhodesia was in attendance to speak about the practicality of managing sub-populations of a species independently rather than at the collective species level. Other presentations covered sustainable-use and science-based management of a great variety of species including seals, polar bear, grizzly, the famed Porcupine Caribou Herd, elephants and more! We heard from wildlife biologists, First Nations representatives, economists and others to learn how we might tackle impending wildlife conservation issues in the future.

The keynote speaker was none other than the renowned Shane Mahoney. Keep an eye out for a Proceedings document from the Symposium as well as videos of the wonderfully informative presentations!

HERE ARE SOME MORE PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP TO CANADA

Harbor from my hotel window

Mayo for my fries!

Prominant Wildlife Conservationists and other folks were out in full force!

The organization I represent for work
(Safari Club International Foundation) was a sponsor of the event.  

Gray Wildlife Management

Let me bring my experience to your favorite Virginia property. We can discuss your priorities for the land and how to maximize its wildlife potential.

I can develop a prescription for a single stand of trees or a comprehensive habitat plan that lays out exactly how to best foster your priorities and meet your needs for diverse habitats.

Even if you are limited in the amount of habitat changes you can make, let's talk about managing the wildlife populations directly to make the most of what you have!

GRAY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (click here)

Went apple picking recently

Had a nice trip to eat at Michie Tavern followed by a couple hours of apple picking at Carter Mountain Orchard. It was good business for them beause there were lots of people there but our family prefers to go on a more quiet day than we ended up doing. The word has definitely "gotten out" about the destination with vehicles from multiple states waiting to get up the mountain. At least the road is wider than it used to be! You don't have to worry as much about the poplar trees stopping your car from falling several hundred feet.

Miss Daisy waiting for a piece of apple.

Anyway, we picked some Granny Smith for apple crisp...MMM and some Jana Gold and Golden Delicious for straight eating. They are fantastic! Took a couple pictures but not as many as last time we went.

The view northwest from the Apple Barn back toward my house.

We could see these balloons filling from the orchard but I got a much better look driving back to the farm!

Check out the Squirrel Dog Blog

Hunting season is cranking up! If you're so inclined, check out my squirrel dog blog -

GRAY'S MOUNTAIN FEIST (click here)

Genealogical Digression

Origins of The House of Gray
by: mgray1984

Unity College in Maine - Alumni Weekend 2011

Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.

In 2010, Unity College was named to the top 30 of the Washington Monthly college rankings, and was one of eighteen U.S. colleges and universities named to The Princeton Review’s Green Rating Honor Roll.



COMING HOME:

This past weekend, I made the 800+ mile trek back to the Northwoods where I attended college. It was technically my "5-year Reunion" and it was a nice visit. I reconnected with some old friends and made some new ones. To find out more about this great school focused on natural resources stewardship go to the college website ---> http://www.unity.edu

I had the opportunity to participate in several activities on and off-campus. From the Alumni Volleyball Match to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new "TerraHaus" residence building. I know some pictures were being taken during the volleyball games and who knows when and where they will surface!

One evening I attended a movie (Super 8) at the Unity College Performing Arts Center in town and heard some solid funk-inspired rock at the Student Activities Center on Campus. On this weekend, every year, there are tons of yard sales, produce stands and a whole lot more catering to the parents, current students, residents of Maine (and beyond) and of course alumni. Alumni Weekend is held in conjunction with Parent's Weekend, Prospective Student Tours and The Common Ground Fair. I bought some iconic Maine goods at the fair - blueberries, maple syrup and local honey. The fair has grown so much since just five years ago that I won't even make an attempt to discuss all the craft vendors, bands, agricultural/forestry demonstrations, etc. Just know that it's a great event!

So, next Fall around this time if you are in New England or feel like heading up to the quaint little town of Unity, Maine I suggest you make a point to visit the area. I will do my best to be there again next year!

Multinational Species Conservation Fund

SCI/SCIF's involvement in Multinational Species Conservation - http://www.iccfoundation.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=384:the-importance-of-trophy-hunting-safari-club-international-testifies-in-front-of-us-congressj&catid=66:2011&Itemid=306

http://www.wcs.org/news-and-features-main/wildlife-stamp-design-unveiled.aspx

http://www.fws.gov/international/

"Cat-loving letter writers and bill payers alike can look forward to a new stamp to go on sale this fall, with proceeds from the stamp’s sale to benefit international wildlife conservation. Yesterday, the U.S. Postal Service gave Americans a sneak peak of the Save Vanishing Species stamp, which features an illustration of a tiger cub by artist Nancy Stahl.

Net proceeds from the sale of the Save Vanishing Species stamp will directly benefit projects supported by the Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCF), which are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve tigers, rhinos, great apes, marine turtles, African elephants and Asian elephants. WCS helped lead the effort to pass federal legislation creating the stamp, which was signed into law last September.

“This beautiful tiger stamp represents a tremendous opportunity for all Americans to help conserve the world’s most iconic species,” said John Calvelli, WCS’s Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. “As an organization that works with the Fish and Wildlife Service, WCS knows that the conservation of imperiled species will be greatly enhanced by the infusion of more resources, especially through creative funding mechanisms such as the wildlife stamp that have no impact on the U.S. taxpayer.”

The Save Vanishing Species stamps will be available at post offices nationwide this September, as well as at WCS parks. They will sell for 11 cents greater than a First Class Mail stamp—55 cents—and $11 for a sheet of 20.

“This stamp marks the fourth semipostal issued by the Postal Service. These types of stamps provide an extremely convenient way for the American public to contribute to help protect threatened and vanishing species,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman. “We look forward to working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Multinational Species Coalition to make this stamp a resounding success.”

“The stamp provides a unique opportunity for the American public to work with the federal government to contribute to saving some of our most beloved threatened species,” said Herb Raffaele, Chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation. “A commitment to the stamp will demonstrate that Americans really care about wildlife conservation abroad.”

*From the WCS website*


For even more information - http://www.elephantconservation.org/multinational-species-conservation-fund/

Omaha

Spent about a week in Omaha, Nebraska at the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) conference. I had a great time as I got to meet with natural resource professionals from all over. Now, I can say that I know at least one Wildlife Biologist in every US State, 6 of 13 Canadian Provinces and a few other countries!

I went to Working Group and Committee meetings on Resident Game Birds, Waterfowl, Climate Change, International Relations, Science and Research, Fish and Wildlife Health and more. As is often the case with meetings like this, the conversations at meals and in the evenings are very informative and useful networking opportunities.

I think I did a great job getting the word out about what SCIF does and discussing opportunies to collaborate on large mammal conservation efforts. Touched base with old colleagues and met MANY new ones.

Since I was in downtown Omaha the entire time and very busy, no exciting wildlife photos but here's one of me after the Awards Banquet where some fine folks were honored. My tie was loosened at this point!

SCIF's collaborative work in Michigan (Predator-Prey)

http://youtu.be/ADhhcWMLyfs

Shane Mahoney Speaks on Conservation - 2009

Shane Mahoney (Canada) speaks on the Conservation Movement.

EPIC GAME FAIR!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=656U_7gEl7U

You see some interesting things traveling around

I kind of enjoy Tucson!!!

Short Videos From The International Wildlife Museum

http://youtu.be/5Xn7IfHnNW0


http://youtu.be/aKZRN2z3xRw

International Wildlife Museum (Tucson, AZ)

Yesterday, I visited the International Wildlife Museum in Tucson. I was amazed to see the variety of species located inside as well as the quality of the taxidermy mounts. The museum is a great place to see wildlife specimens (mammals, birds, insects, reptiles) from all over the world. I didn't even come remotely close to capturing an image of all of the displays!

The impressive history of the role hunters have played in the restoration and continue to influence the management of game and even non-game wildlife is laid out for visitors. It's a great
 facility!!!