62nd annual event provides updates on Ohio wildlife successes, challenges
The Ohio wildlife community gathered at the 62nd annual Ohio Wildlife Management Conference on Jan. 21 at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus.
Over 200 attendees enjoyed a return to an in-person conference format for 2022, which included opening remarks from Ohio Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker and a keynote address by Associate Professor at The Ohio State University Risa Pesapane (watch below). Pesapane, an expert in ecosystem and wildlife health, spoke about the epidemiology of ticks and their impact on wildlife, as well as discussed the ecology of infectious wildlife disease more broadly — including its relevance to wildlife conservation and management decisions.
The OWMA also presented the 2022 Annual Achievement Award to Lori Stevenson, who recently retired as the Ohio state coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Stevenson’s 34-year conservation career with USFWS also included research, wildlife habitat restoration, working with private landowners and developing partnerships with other agencies and conservation organizations. Her colleagues nominated her for the annual honor for her graceful ability to partner and guide her staff of biologists to help promote, create, and restore quality habitat on Ohio’s landscape, as well as her unwavering kindness and respect for others.
“We are honored to be able to recognize Lori for all she has contributed to the field of wildlife and conservation management,” said OWMA Executive Officer Marci Lininger.
A poster session featured projects from students at universities and colleges around the state, and 10 additional speakers ranged from state wildlife managers, to academics, to student researchers. Other presentations included:
- Kristina Slagle, PhD, The Ohio State University: “Lessons learned from deer and private lands conservation stakeholder surveys”
- Mike Tonkovich, PhD, ODNR Division of Wildlife: “Chronic wasting disease update”
- Joseph Lautenbach, ODNR Division of Wildlife “Woody vegetation removal benefits grassland birds on reclaimed surface mines”
- Jeremy Bruskotter, PhD, The Ohio State University: “Implications of shifting public values for wildlife conservation in Ohio: Toward a shared vision of conservation”
- Viorel Popescu, PhD, Ohio University: “Assessing population viability of Ohio’s recovering bobcats (Lynx rufus)”
- Laura Kearns, PhD, ODNR Division of Wildlife: “Ohio trumpeter swan population and research update”
- Christina Kuchle, ODNR Division of Wildlife: “ODNR, H2Ohio wetland restoration progress”
- Cassandra M. Thompson, PhD Candidate, Ohio University: “Are pesticides problematic? Carryover effects of aquatic Imidacloprid exposure on the wood frog (Rana sylvatica)”
- Bradley F. Blackwell, PhD, USDA-APHIS: “Understanding and reducing wildlife aircraft collision risk: what data are necessary and why?”
- Morgan Pfeiffer, PhD, USDA-APHIS: “Responses of turkey vultures to unmanned aircraft systems vary by platform”
“The OWMA is grateful to all the members, sponsors, speakers, and other contributors who helped make this event a success and continue the OWMA conference tradition,” said OWMA Past-President Cody Grasser. “We encourage everyone to reflect on what they’ve learned at the conference and how it might apply to their own research and work — and how they can instill their passion for wildlife into others.”