Western Section of The Wildlife Society
2008 Annual Conference of the
Western Section of The Wildlife Society
February 5-9, 2008
Red Lion Hotel
Redding, California

The draft program and the abstracts for both the papers and posters are now available.
Information posted on this site will be updated frequently. Last updated Janauary 21, 2008.

Registration

On-line registration for next week's meeting in Redding is now closed. TWS West is thrilled with the registration numbers for this conference, we're nearing 400 biologists! That means it's going to be crowded, perhaps overcrowded, but we'll all be friends by Friday... We continue to have space available in all workshops and symposia. The "main meeting," however, will have walk-up registration available on a first-come, first-served basis, starting Wednesday morning, until approximately 50 people have registered. Again, this is first-come, first served, so please don't get angry if we respectfully turn folks away on Friday.

At this time, we can no longer increase our catering order, so there might be a shortage of refreshments at times, and we'll appreciate your understanding (and we'll expect some complaints).

AGAIN, there is ample room available for all workshops (Resumes, Weds; Statistics, Thu and Fri) as well as the two pre-conference symposia (Spotted Owl, Tues-Weds; and Red Fox, Weds). But late registrations may come with a catch. Some late registrants for the Spotted Owl Symposium, as an example, will NOT get the lunch that is included for other participants (even though you pay more than the early registrants -- that's the price of procrastination, my friends).

SO, we look forward to an outstanding meeting in Redding; we ask in advance for your patience, your good will, and yeah, a certain level of discomfort, as even the gents will most likely have a line for the bathroom! Thanks!

Summarized Schedule

The Draft Schedule and Schedule at a Glance are available in Word format (updated January 21, 2008). Session titles and selected abstracts will be posted in about a week.

The 2008 conference will be held Tuesday, February 5th through Saturday, February 9th. The following summarized schedule of events applies to the conference, two preceding Symposia, and field trips:

Monday, February 4th 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Northern Spotted Owl Symposium, Pre-Registration (Pre-Function Area)

Tuesday, February 5th9:00 am to 5:00 pm
7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Northern Spotted Owl Symposium Registration (Pre-Function Area)
7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Light breakfast (Trinity Room)
7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Vendor and Exhibitor Setup (Siskiyou Room)
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pre-Conference Symposium: The Northern Spotted Owl in the 21st Century: Confronting the Management Challenges of Cumulative Habitat Effects and the Barred Owl (Sierra Room)
10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Break (snacks provided) (Siskiyou Room)
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Vendors and Exhibitors Open (Siskiyou Room)
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch provided to Northern Spotted Owl Symposium participants (Sundial Room)
2:40 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Break (snacks provided) (Siskiyou Room)
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Poster set-up (Sundial Room)
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Northern Spotted Owl Symposium Poster Session and Welcome Reception with light Hors doeuvres, No-Host Bar (Sundial Room)


Wednesday, February 6th8:00 am to 12:00 pm
7:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. California Red Fox Symposium Registration (Pre-Function Area)
7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Light breakfast (Siskiyou Room)
7:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Vendors and Exhibitors (Siskiyou Room)
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Northern Spotted Owl Symposium continues (Sierra Room)
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pre-Conference Symposium: Managing California's Native Red Fox: Recent Findings and Implications (Trinity and Cascade Rooms)
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Annual Conference Registration (Pre-Function Area)
10:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Break (snacks provided) (Siskiyou Room)
12:00 p.m. Northern Spotted Owl and California Red Fox Symposia conclude
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch break (lunch not provided)
1:00 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. Concurrent Session: Ecology and Management of Carnivores (Sierra Room)
1:00 pm to 3:20 pm. Concurrent Session: Conservation and Management of Military Lands (Trinity and Cascade Rooms)
3:25 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Break (snacks provided) (Siskiyou Room)
4:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Concurrent Session: Ecology and Management of Raptors (Trinity and Cascade Rooms)
4:00 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. Concurrent Session: Ecology and Management of Carnivores continues (Sierra Room)
4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Forest Carnivores Working Group (unofficial meeting) (Sacramento Room)
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Poster set-up (Sundial Room)
6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Annual Conference Poster Session and Welcome Reception with Hors doeuvres, No-Host Bar (Sundial Room)
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Chapter Meetings (various locations; see Day and Room Designations for details)

Thursday, February 7th8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: 1-day Bayesian Statistics Workshop
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration (Pre-Function Area)
7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Light breakfast (Siskiyou Room)
7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Vendors and Exhibitors (Siskiyou Room)
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Plenary Session (Red Lion Ballroom)
9:50 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Refreshment Break (Siskiyou Room)
11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Monterey 2009 Planning Meeting (Sundial Room)
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch break (lunch not provided)
1:00 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. Concurrent Session: Management and Action in Northern California (Sierra Room)
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Session: Amphibians and Reptiles (Cascade Room)
1:00 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. Concurrent Session: Wildlife Response to Habitat Restoration (Trinity Room)
3:10 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Concurrent Session: Raptors and Regional Conservation Planning (Trinity Room)
4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Annual Business Meeting and Member's Forum (Sundial Room)
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Résumé Workshop (Sacramento Room)
Thursday Evening:
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. No-host Cocktail Reception (Sundial Room & Poolside - weather permitting)
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Banquet, Awards Ceremony, Raffle, Entertainment (Red Lion Ballroom), requires ticket or symbol on name badge indicating payment

Friday, February 8th8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Statistics Refresher Workshop
7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Final Conference Registration (Pre-Function Area)
7:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Vendors and Exhibitors (Siskiyou Room)
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Light breakfast (Siskiyou Room)
8:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Concurrent Session: Managed Forests (Sierra Room)
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Session: Ecology and Management of Shorebirds and Waterfowl (Trinity Room)
8:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Concurrent Session: Ecology and Management of Mammals (Cascade Room)
9:55 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Break (snacks provided) (Siskiyou Room)
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Career Fair (Sundial Room)
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Student/Professional Lunch (Sundial Room). Free to students and professionals who have ticket or symbol on name badge indicating advance registration
11:50 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch break (lunch not provided)
1:00 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. Concurrent Session: Managed Forests (continues) (Sierra Room)
1:00 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. Concurrent Session: Ecology and Management of Birds (Cascade Room)
1:00 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. Concurrent Session: Understanding Southern California's Ecosystem and Biodiversity (Trinity Room)
2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. Break (snacks provided) (Pre-Function Area)
3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Western Section Executive Board Meeting (Sacramento Room)

Saturday, February 9thField Trips

Field trips 1 and 2, meet in main lobby at 8:15 a.m. for logistics and ride-sharing.

1: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - The Hidden Falls
2: 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. - The Renaissance Ranch
3: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Turtle Bay Exploration Park (discover at your own pace)

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Conference Theme

Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship Through Science and Education

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Plenary Session

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Wildlife Management and Conservation

TWS West is excited to formally announce our Plenary guest speakers:

  • Dr. Wayne Spencer, Conservation Biology Institute
  • Dr. John Bernstein, Vice President of Conservation, Pacific Forest Trust
  • Kim Delfino, Defenders of Wildlife
  • Dr. Michael Hutchins, The Wildlife Society

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    Concurrent Sessions

    Check back here for a frequently updated list of technical sessions and schedules.

    Ecology and Managment of Carnivores: Ben Sacks
    Conservation and Management of Military Lands: Kirsten Christopherson
    Raptors and Regional Conservation Plans: Jeff Lincer
    Amphibians and Reptiles: Dave Cook
    Understanding Southern California's Ecosystem and Species Diversity: Melissa Busby
    Management and Action in Northern California: Joe DiDonato
    Ecology and Management of Wildlife in Managed Forests: Keith Hamm
    Ecology and Managment of Shorebirds and Waterfowl: Ahmed Soliman
    Statistics Overview for Professionals: Howard Stauffer
    Ecology and Managment of Mammals: Steve Kohlmann
    Wildlife Response to Restoration: Chrissy Howell
    Ecology and Management of Raptors: Jeff Lincer
    Ecology and Management of Birds: Amy Fesnock

    Posters: Contact Amy Fesnock amy@minerva-enterprises.com, poster session coordinator, for additional details and guidance.

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    Poster Session

    A poster session will be held for the Annual Conference on the evening of Wednesday, February 6th, during the welcome mixer and social. Posters will also be available for viewing at other times and locations throughout the week. Those entering a poster for consideration must submit an abstract by November 1, 2007, and clearly indicate that it is a poster presentation. Poster presentations should be no more than 4 by 4 feet. Presenters must bring their own supplies (T-pins, push pins, etc.) to attach posters to the display boards. Display boards will be provided.

    Posters for the pre-conference symposia must be coordinated with the appropriate symposium chairperson, contact Program Chair Rhys Evans (sirsnave@verizon.net) for appropriate contact information.

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    Pre-Conference Symposia

    TUESDAY, February 5th, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and WEDNESDAY, February 6th, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., (1.5 days): The Northern Spotted Owl in the 21st Century: Confronting the Management Challenges of Cumulative Habitat Effects and the Barred Owl (additional fee required).

    Biologists, foresters, and land managers with an interest in the Northern Spotted Owl are invited to attend a one-and-a-half day symposium immediately preceding the Western Section Annual Conference in Redding. New scientific information on the NSO and habitat management under the "no-take" process of the California Forest Practice Rules, as well as the effects of Barred Owl on surveys and site occupancy, will be presented. Panels of scientific experts and agency personnel will discuss the implications of the new information and will strategize conservation and regulatory efforts for the NSO. The emphasis for management discussions will be on California populations of NSO, with new information from other areas of the west coast and elsewhere will be presented as applicable.

    Confirmed speakers currently include: Alan Franklin, Lowell Diller, Brian Woodbridge, Mark Higley, David Wiens, Dennis Rock, Scott Gremel and Jim Thrailkill.

    Keep an eye on this website for updated information and symposium registration.

    WEDNESDAY, February 6th, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (one-half day): Conserving California's Native Red Fox: Recent Research and Management Implications (nominal additional fee required). Funded in part by the California Department of Fish and Game.

    The native red fox is one of California's most elusive and poorly understood species. Recent research has shed new light on its origins, distribution and ecology, with some surprising findings. This symposium will provide an in-depth review of this current research and its management implications, presented by a variety of agency and academic scientists. The session will conclude with an hour-long moderated discussion and question-answer session featuring the session speakers and additional experts on fox ecology and management.

    The California Department of Fish and Game has provided a generous sponsorship to keep registration costs low.

    Limited to 75 participants. Pre-registration strongly encouraged.

    Confirmed speakers and topics:

    Keith Aubry, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
    "Evolution and quaternary zoogeography of the North American montane red foxes"

    Ben Sacks, Sacramento State University / UC Davis
    "Native red foxes in the Sacramento Valley: Research update and implications" Pete Figura, California Department of Fish and Game
    "Winter surveys for Sierra Nevada red fox and American marten near Lassen Volcanic National Park"

    Casey Cleve, San Francisco State University
    "Using GIS to predict potential Sierra Nevada red fox distribution in California, Nevada and Oregon"

    John Perrine, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
    "Developing an integrated, statewide research and management plan for the Sierra Nevada red fox"

    Esther Burkett, California Department of Fish and Game
    [title to be announced]

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    Statistics Workshops

    Not one, but two statistics workshops will be held during the Redding meeting. The workshops will cover primarily the same information, in a one-day and a one-half day format (clearly, the one-day offering will go into more depth).

    Read the following documents for additional information. Please note that participation in these workshops will preclude attendance at some other sessions of the annual meeting.

    One-day workshop: 08_1daystats.doc (Thursday, Feb 7, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). We welcome TWS members from any section or chapter to register at the "Member" rate.

    One-half day workshop: 08halfdaystats.doc (Friday, Feb 8, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

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    Additional General Information:

    On-line Registration is Now Open! This is a smaller venue than some previous locations. We expect registration to close before the start of the meeting, and "day of" or "walk-up" registration simply may NOT be available. Please do not procrastinate!

    A formal call for papers, transportation, lodging and other important information can be found on this page.

    Redding: Although this site may be superficially less "attractive" than our 2007 meeting location in coastal Monterey, members should be assured that the Redding / greater Shasta County areas possess outstanding opportunities for hiking, birding, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing and other such pursuits - and the hotel rate is quite a bit lower! But the activities listed above are recommended only before and after the annual conference!

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    Special Events

    STUDENT-PROFESSIONAL LUNCH AND CAREER FAIR: The Section will host a student-professional lunch and career fair, free to students, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Feb 8th. Students will have the opportunity to discuss career choices, the job market, and job qualifications with practicing professionals from the Western Section. Students should indicate their intent to attend the free lunch when they register for the conference.

    To participate in the career fair, please contact our 2008 Career Fair coordinator Karen Swaim at kswaim@swaimbio.com. Space is limited. Those not indicating their intent to attend on the registration form will be accommodated as space allows.

    ANNUAL RAFFLE & AUCTION: A raffle and silent auction will be held during the conference banquet on Thursday, February 7th. Tickets for the raffle will be available for purchase throughout the conference. Typical donations for the raffle include wine, wildlife artwork, books, travel and field gear. In addition, the Section is seeking, and will offer through the raffle and auction as available, hunting and fishing trips, adventure travel trips, whitewater rafting trips, and similar items. To donate items for the raffle, please contact raffle coordinators Sandra Hunt-von Arb at pnwb@suddenlink.net and Denise Walker-Brown at deniselwalker@hotmail.com.

    RÉSUMÉ WORKSHOP: The Western Section is pleased to announce the return of our résumé workshop! Barbara Peters from the Career Center at Humboldt State University (along with a myriad of other advice-givers from the peanut gallery) will be present (tentatively scheduled for Thursday afternoon) to offer outstanding guidance on job searching to students and young professionals.

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    Field Trips

    Three interesting field trips are planned, return to this site for additional details. One of our trips is a do-it-yourself, discounted visit to the intriguing "Turtle Bay Exploration Park." Another is a guided visit to the newly "re-discovered" Whiskeytown Falls. And a third is on the way back south on Interstate 5. So, plan to stay another day, and go for a nice walk with us!

    All official field trips are scheduled for Saturday, February 9th. SUBJECT TO SLIGHT CHANGES.

    1. "The Hidden Falls." Join National Park Service staff for a 3.4 mile, round-trip hike to Whiskeytown Falls. Rangers and loggers kept these beautiful, 200-foot falls secret for decades, as they didn't have the resources to construct a trail and adequately protect this very interesting site. The falls were "rediscovered" in 2004, and since then, a very nice trail has been constructed. The NPS rates this trail as "Moderate to difficult." We say: "Not really. Take your time, you'll probably sweat a bit, but it's worth it." It's not an easy hike, but… Stroll through sugar pine, Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, ferns, and Incense cedar; look for birds, take some nice photos. Bring: Boots, binoculars, camera, hat, snacks, sunscreen and water. Cost: Suggested donation $5 per person (required $5 per vehicle or family); this assumes carpool and ridesharing, give your driver a few bucks for fuel, too. Those continuing westward on Hwy. 299 to Humboldt/Mendocino/ Del Norte may choose to drive directly from the trailhead without returning to Redding. Maximum group size: 40

    Schedule:
        8:15 a.m. Meet in Red Lion lobby
        8:30 a.m. Coordinate ridesharing
        8:45 a.m. Depart Red Lion Hotel
        9:15 a.m. Meet NPS staff at Visitor Center on JFK Drive. Buy books, maps, etc.
        10:15 a.m. Arrive Trailhead
        12:45 p.m. Return to Trailhead
        1:45 p.m. Return to Red Lion Hotel, Redding (optional)

    2. "The Renaissance Ranch." The Dye Creek Preserve could be called a renaissance ranch. It is 37,650 acres in size, and has quite a story to tell. The preserve has been managed by The Nature Conservancy since 1987. In addition to the Conservancy, stakeholders also include Multiple Use Managers, a hunting and wildlife management firm, and DeBraga Cattle Company, a cattle grazing company. Both of these companies actually have ties to Dye Creek dating back to the 1960's. An education program for elementary and high school student participation also occurs on Dye Creek. Research and field studies have also been an integral part of this ranch since the late 1960's. Some of the longest, ongoing studies of blue oaks and black-tailed deer are conducted on Dye Creek. Additional extensive studies have focused on such topics as Native American archaeology, wild pigs, doves, coyotes and fire regimes, to name a few. This is a ranch that actively supports and manages its rangeland resources for multiple uses. Dye Creek is proof-positive that seemingly divergent interests can cooperate together for a common goal.

    Bring: Boots, binoculars, camera, hat, snacks, sunscreen and water. Moderate difficulty, rocky trail, 300 foot elevation gain; sturdy shoes required. This trip may be particularly well-suited to those departing Saturday morning for Sacramento or the Bay Area - it's a bit remote from Redding, but just a short distance west of Interstate 5 on your way south. No cost. Maximum group size: 35

    Schedule:     8:15 a.m. Meet in Red Lion lobby, coordinate ridesharing
        8:30 a.m. Depart hotel
        9:25 a.m. Arrival (45 minute drive south of Redding)
        9:30 a.m. Coffee, orientation
        10:00 a.m. Presentations by representatives of The Nature Conservancy, Multiple Use Managers, U.C. Berkeley
        11:00 a.m. Nature walk up Dye Creek canyon. This walk is a must see for anyone who appreciates wild California and can envision Ishi walking these pristine watersheds
        1:30 p.m. Depart
        2:30 p.m. Return to Red Lion Hotel, Redding (optional)

    3. "Turtle Bay." Spanning the Sacramento River and only about a mile from the Red Lion Hotel, the Turtle Bay Exploration Park is an award-winning, "…300-acre campus containing educational and entertaining activities that interpret the relationship between humans and nature." Facilities include a museum, art gallery, wildlife exhibits, aviary and the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens. The two main portions of the park are connected by the world-famous Sundial Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava. This trip is at your own pace; you can get a glimpse in two hours, or see it ALL in about six hours (they're open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). You decide… Bring: Binoculars, hat, camera, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Food and beverages and a nice souvenir/bookshop are available. COST: $12 normal admission. TWS has arranged a discounted admission of $8 if you show your official conference name badge at the ticket office. Maximum group size: none

    Schedule (Optional. This is an "at your own pace" trip):
        9:30 a.m. Meet in Red Lion lobby, coordinate ridesharing
        9:45 a.m. Depart Red Lion
        10:00 a.m. Arrive, orient, start visit, depart at your leisure

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    Additional Information

    SPEAKER REGISTRATION WAIVERS: Speakers may qualify for one-day compensated registration to the conference, however speakers may not attend subsequent days, and compensated registration does NOT include admission to the banquet, welcome mixer or other social events.

    PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Members will be eligible to earn credit hours for Professional Development, Professional Development Certificates and for TWS Certification renewal (note: meetings such as this do not normally qualify for an initial TWS certification application). Additional information will be provided in the final conference program.

    PUBLICATION IN THE WESTERN SECTION JOURNAL Transactions: Presenters of papers at the Western Section's Annual Conference are encouraged to submit their papers for publication in the "Transactions of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society." The Western Section has been continuously publishing these journals as its technical publication of record since 1966. Between 1966 and 2005, a total of 40 volumes and 655 papers have been published in the Transactions. Original papers in the field of wildlife ecology and management, habitat management, conservation biology, and related natural resource topics are published, and all papers of interest to Western Section members are considered for publication, especially those resulting from presentations at the Section's Annual Conference. The Transactions has an open submission policy so that manuscripts can be submitted to the Transactions Editor at any time. HOWEVER, MANUSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 1 MAY OF A GIVEN YEAR TO ENSURE PUBLICATION IN THE VOLUME FOR THAT YEAR. Manuscripts submitted after 1 May will be reviewed, but may not be published until the following year. There are no page charges for papers published by current members of the Western Section! Potential authors should review the guidelines for preparing and submitting manuscripts or contact the Transactions Editor.

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    Hotel Information and Accommodations

    The 2008 Annual Conference will be held at the Red Lion Hotel, 1830 Hilltop Drive, Redding, CA 96002. The Hotel is located just off Interstate 5 at the Hilltop Drive / CA Hwy 44 exit, and is less than 1.5 miles from downtown Redding. Complimentary airport transportation is available.

    Please be aware that the Red Lion Hotel is filling up very quickly! Several rooms of each room type remain available, with most availability on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights; Wednesday and Thursday nights currently have very limited availability. Obviously, we don't expect you to move from one room to another, or one hotel to another during the week (but if you want to do that, go for it). We have prepared a list of alternative hotels in Word format.

    If you're going to be in Redding for three or more nights: First, please start by trying for a reservation at the Red Lion (which helps our bottom line considerably); be flexible, and ask/search for all available room options; the reservation agent or computer may be looking only for single-queen rooms and not notice that there are several available single-king or double-queen rooms. There's also a suite available for just $225 per night… Second, you're welcome to request rooms that are "out of the block" for TWS; we're working diligently to release more rooms at gov't rates (if you do this, you must still insist upon the gov't rate if you are a state or federal employee). Third, fill out and submit the room sharing form. Fourth, if you've already got a double-queen reservation and you're willing to share your room, fill out and submit the room sharing form. Fiftth, if you can, wait about a week (once we and the Red Lion have had time to look at various other options and we can rebound from the holidays; we'll try to provide phone numbers and links), but you can go out on your own and make reservations at Holiday Inn (next door, south), Motel 6 (next door, north), Oxford Suites (across the street) or many other options that you could find on travelocity, hotels.com, etc., with the caution that some would require driving to and from the Red Lion.

    TWS West will attempt (no guarantees) to provide a roommate matching service to participants desiring to cut lodging costs. Please complete attached form [room sharing form] and send as e-mail attachment to mmeza "at" ecorpconsulting "dot" com.

    Red Lion Hotel Phone: (530) 221-8700; Fax: (530) 224-6629
    Web site address: www.redlion.com

    Special room rate for conference attendees (as of today's date, these may change):
    One or two persons, one queen bed: Federal $78, State $84
    Two persons, two queen beds: Federal $98, State $94
    One or two persons, one king bed: Federal $108, State $104
    A limited number of suites may be available.
    Federal employees must show current identification to qualify for that rate.
    All other meeting participants are eligible for State per diem rates.

    INDIVIDUAL RESERVATIONS: Each individual guest shall make their own reservations in one of several ways:
  • By calling (530) 221-8700 or (800) RED LION by January 21, 2008.
  • By registering on-line at www.redlion.com, navigate to Redding, fill in dates and use Group / Convention Code as follows: Federal Employees 0204WI; State Employees and all other participants 0208WI.
  • They must identify themselves as members of The Wildlife Society Western Section. All reservations must be guaranteed and accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.

    ACCESSIBILITY: This is a recently remodeled hotel with very nice rooms; however it is mostly two floors with no elevators. Meeting participants who have difficulty negotiating stairs should make their room reservations as early as possible, and specifically request a ground-floor room. We’ve limited utilization of the one upstairs meeting room to the maximum extent possible.

    GUEST ROOMS: Are located in 3 large, two-story structures (please see note above). One of these structures is called “The Interstate Wing.” That’s an apt name, as it’s rather proximal to I-5. If you’re an exceptionally light sleeper, we recommend that you book your room early and specify a different area or the pool-side portion of the Interstate Wing.

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    Transportation

    Redding is located on Interstate 5, approximately 155 miles or 2.5 hours north of Sacramento. Redding airport (airport code RDD) is served by Horizon Air (www.alaskaair.com) and United Express (www.united.com) with more than 20 flights per day to and from San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles and Arcata. Some meeting participants may prefer to fly into Sacramento airport (code SMF), San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC) airports and rent a car or arrange carpool from those locations.

    TWS West is facilitating (no guarantees) carpools from the Sacramento, San Francisco Bay and North Coast areas. If interested, complete the attached form and submit as directed. [rideshare form]

    Redding is also served by Amtrak (www.amtrak.com), however arrival and departure times of the once-daily trains aren't user-friendly (arriving and departing between 2 and 4 a.m. to and from points north and south).

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    Restaurants and Banks

    Restaurants: *

    In the Red Lion:
  • The Coffee Garden
  • R. J. Grin's Lounge

    Less than 5-minute walk:
  • Applebee's Neighborhood Grill 1801 Hilltop Dr (across Hilltop from Red Lion) 530-221-1888

    South:
  • Maxwell's 1885 Hilltop Dr (0.05 miles south) 530-221-5746
  • Logan's Roadhouse 1955 Hilltop Dr (0.10 miles south) 530-221-0113
  • Marie Callender's 1987 Hilltop Dr (0.13 miles south) 530-223-4310
  • Pizza Hut 2055 Hilltop Dr (0.18 miles south) 530-221-6622

    North:
  • Chevy's Fresh Mexican 1691 Hilltop Dr (0.11 miles north) 530-223-5797
  • Express China Restaurant 1675 Hilltop Dr # N (0.13 miles north) 530-222-8188
  • Tokyo Garden 1675 Hilltop Dr # M (0.13 miles north) 530-221-6888

    Less than 15-minute walk (or very short drive):

    North: (Dana Drive is parallel to and just north of Hwy 44)
  • Manhattan Bagel 13 Dana Drive #3C (0.40 miles north then east) 530-222-2221
  • Luigi's Italian Kitchen 913 Dana Dr # 3E (0.40 miles north then east) 530-222-8555
  • Outback Steakhouse 910 Dana Dr (0.40 miles north then east) 530-226-9394
  • Chico's Tecate Grill 913 Dana Dr (0.40 miles north then east) 530-223-3299

    East: (Churn Creed Rd is one block east of and parallel to Hilltop)
  • Ruby Tuesday 1800 Churn Creed Rd (0.20 miles east then north) 530-722-0311
  • Dairy Queen 1700 Churn Creek Rd (0.20 miles east then north) 530-223-1724

    Short Drive:
    (See notes on Dana Dr and Churn Creek Rd above; Cypress is next major E/W road south of Red Lion)

  • Olive Garden Italian Restaurant 1025 Dana Dr (0.48 miles north and east) 530-221-0158
  • IHOP 2495 Hilltop Dr (0.59 miles south) 530-221-5130
  • In-n-Out Burger 1275 Dana Dr (0.61 miles north then east) 530-000-1111
  • Denny's 2608 Hilltop Dr (0.67 miles south) 530-221-6966
  • Burger King 1275 Churn Creek Rd (0.68 miles east then north) 530-222-3381
  • Red Lobster Restaurant 1345 Dana Dr (0.72 miles north then east) 530-222-6191
  • Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant 435 E Cypress Ave (0.73 miles south/west) 530-223-2540
  • Jeff's California Cattle Co. 400 E Cypress Ave (0.75 miles south then west) 530-221-3572
  • Nipa's Thai Cuisine 2600 Churn Creek Rd (0.82 miles east then south) 530-221-0966

    * TWS West does not endorse any particular restaurant, this list is provided solely as a reference

    Banks near Redding Red Lion (star on map below)
    1. Redding Bank of Commerce 1951 Churn Creek Rd, Redding (0.23 miles away) 530-224-3333
    2. Bank of Commerce Mortgage 1024 Mistletoe Ln, Redding (0.30 miles away) 530-223-9550
    3. Washington Mutual 974 Dana Dr, Redding (0.42 miles away) 530-224-2000
    4. North Valley Bank 2245 Churn Creek Rd, Redding (0.44 miles away) 530-226-2952
    5. US Bank 1110 Dana Dr, Redding (0.52 miles away) 530-223-2197
    6. Bank of Bank of America 1300 Hilltop Dr, Redding (0.62 miles away) 530-246-3992
    7. Washington Mutual 410 Hemsted Dr # 100, Redding (0.62 miles away) 530-223-2010
    8. Tri Counties Bank 1250 Hilltop Dr, Redding (0.65 miles away) 530-223-3307
    9. Wells Fargo Bank 830 E. Cyprus Ave, Redding (0.65 miles away) 530-221-6835
    banks

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    Exhibitor and Publisher Information

    September 1, 2007
    Dear Exhibitors and Publishers,

    The 2008 Annual Meeting of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society (2008 Annual Conference) will be held Wednesday, February 6th through Friday, February 8th, at the Red Lion Hotel in Redding, California. There are also two symposia scheduled, preceding the conference with an estimated total of 150 participants, on February 5th and 6th. One symposium (1 ½ days in length), which will focus on the Northern Spotted Owl, starts on Tuesday morning. The second (½ day), on Red Foxes, starts Wednesday morning. A third symposium with an expected audience of less than 25 participants is also in the planning stages, but it may not take place, or it may be scheduled off-site or in a smaller room away from the other symposia.

    The Western Section of The Wildlife Society is comprised of nearly 1,100 members from California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands, many of whom regularly attend our annual conference. In addition, a number of professional wildlife biologists from all parts of the country may attend due to the quality and variety of wildlife research papers that will be presented during the conference. Thus, the annual conference will provide a forum in which you, as an exhibitor or publisher, will have direct contact with more than 350 professional wildlife biologists.

    The purpose of this letter is to announce the availability of a limited number of vendor display spaces for the conference. Participating exhibitors and publishers will have a high-profile, centrally located space, adjacent to the technical session rooms and in close proximity to the poster session and other activities. Conference refreshments will be available primarily in the center of the "Siskiyou Room," with vendors and exhibitors on the periphery of the same room, which will allow for maximum exhibitor product exposure.

    However, the venue overall and the vendor / exhibitor room are smaller than in some years past. Using six-foot tables, a maximum of 9 vendors / exhibitors will be welcomed in 2008. Depending upon demand, either five or six vendors will receive two adjacent tables (some arranged in a linear fashion, others in "L" patterns in three of the room's corners). Two or four vendors / exhibitors will be accommodated with single tables. TWS West will attempt to ensure that we have no more than two vendors with similar merchandise or services.

    The cost of each two-table exhibit space is $225 if your reservation form and payment is received by December 15, 2007 or $275 if your reservation is received after that date. One-table costs will be $145 and $185 on the same schedule. However, please do not wait to reserve a table or tables, as space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each exhibit space includes either one or two skirted, six-foot tables with access to electrical outlets and lighting. Please note that telephone lines (for credit card purchase verifications, etc.) or internet connections may be available, but at additional cost. "Wireless internet" is available throughout the hotel, however signal strength and band-width specifically in the Siskiyou Room is unknown, and is not guaranteed by TWS-West. Telephone and internet connection arrangements must be made directly with the hotel meeting staff.

    As in previous years, vendors and exhibitors will be asked and encouraged to donate goods or services to our annual raffle and / or silent auction. This is optional and agreement to do so will not reduce the table registration cost. Table registration cost includes meeting registration for one person, but does not include tickets for the welcome mixer (Wednesday evening) or the Annual Awards Banquet (Thursday evening). The Siskiyou Room can and will be securely locked each evening. We will not provide overnight security in Redding (as was needed in Monterey in 2007). Expected vendor / exhibitor hours are presented in a table at the end of this letter.

    The 2008 Annual Conference also offers an opportunity for publishers to display their publications at a shared publishers' table for a minimum of $85 (if displaying five or fewer titles). Promotional materials and order blanks can be displayed with the books. Traditionally, displayed books are donated to The Wildlife Society for either the silent auction or the annual conference raffle. Displayed books will not be removed from the publishers' display table until the end of the function.

    Exhibit space is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by date when registration and payment are received. A waiting list will be maintained. All decisions on vendor placement and approval are solely at the discretion of TWS West (preferences will be accommodated to the extent possible; for example, let us know if you'd prefer a two-table, corner space).

    Exhibitors can set up their space beginning at 0730 on Tuesday February 5th with final take down completed by 4 p.m., Friday, February 8th. The hotel does not have storage space for crates; however, if you plan to ship your exhibit materials or merchandise in advance, please contact the hotel to inquire about space restrictions, timing, and charges.

    A block of hotel rooms have been reserved at the special rate of $84 at the Redding Red Lion Hotel for participants of the 2008 Annual Conference. To reserve a room, participants must make reservations with the hotel no later than December 30, 2007. Vendors and exhibitors are eligible for State of California per diem rates, by special arrangement between TWS West and the Redding Red Lion. Refer to additional information on hotel reservations, transportation options and more on this web page.

    Reserve your exhibit space today on the online exhibit registration form, (a credit card is required). You can also print the online exhibit reservation form and mail it with your check or credit card information.

    Thank you for your interest in participating in this event in past years and we look forward to seeing you at the 2008 Annual Conference! Please feel free to contact me at ndvorak@esassoc.com if you have any questions.

    Sincerely,

    Natasha Dvorak
    Exhibitor Coordinator
    Western Section, The Wildlife Society

    Expected vendor / exhibitor hours at the TWS Western Section, 2008 Annual Conference

    DateHoursOther Info
    Tuesday, Feb 5Set-up, 0730-1030OPTIONAL, pre-conference Spotted Owl symposium
     Open for business: 1030-1730 
    Wednesday, Feb 6Set-up, 0630-0800 
     Open for business: 0800-1730 
    Thursday, Feb 7Open for business: 0730-1800 
    Friday, Feb 8Open for business: 0730-1300 
     Take-down, 1300-1600Must be clear by 1700


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    Information for Students

    STUDENT TRAVEL GRANTS: A limited number of student travel grants may be available. Contact the Awards and Grants Committee Chair rburg@parks.ca.gov for additional details.

    STUDENT REGISTRATION REIMBURSEMENT: Currently enrolled students may qualify for registration refunds in exchange for volunteering time and services at the conference. Typical jobs include assisting at the registration desk as well as operating PowerPoint and related equipment during presentations. In some cases, students may be able to work in a session they already plan to attend. Additional information is available from the chair of the Student Affairs Committee ktmoriarty22@yahoo.com. Note: Students must pre-register AND pre-pay for the conference. Upon certified completion of a minimum of six hours' volunteer service, a request for reimbursement will be provided.

    STUDENT-PROFESSIONAL LUNCH AND CAREER FAIR: The Section will host a student-professional lunch and career fair, free to students, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Feb 8th. Students will have the opportunity to discuss career choices, the job market, and job qualifications with practicing professionals from the Western Section. Students should indicate their intent to attend the free lunch when they register for the conference.

    To participate in the career fair, please contact our 2008 Career Fair coordinator Karen Swaim at kswaim@swaimbio.com. Space is limited. Those not indicating their intent to attend on the registration form will be accommodated as space allows.

    Competition for Student Awards at the TWS Western Section Annual Meeting

    The Western Section of The Wildlife Society is pleased to offer cash awards for students who agree to speak at or submit a poster for our annual meeting. "Student" is defined as any individual, any age, who is currently enrolled or has received a degree within six months of the meeting date from any high school, accredited college or university (not limited to those within the Western Section). From high school to post-doc, we welcome your participation!

    The value of the cash awards varies slightly, based upon the number of students in the competition. In general the more students who compete, the more cash we award!

    Oral Presentations:Number of Presentations:First PlaceSecond PlaceThird Place
     Five or fewer$100$50
     Six to Eight$125$75$50
     Nine to Twelve$150$100$50
     Thirteen or more$200$150$100
     
    Posters:Five or fewer$100$50
     Six to Eight$125$75$50
     Nine to Twelve$150$100$50
     Thirteen or more$200$150$100

    Please be sure to indicate when you submit your abstract whether you intend to compete in the student judging. It is your responsibility to express your intent to participate.

    As a result of participating in the competition, you will have the option of receiving both positive remarks and constructive criticism from the judges (typically at least three), telling you what they liked and how you can improve your next presentation.

    There are also procedures in place to reimburse students and young professionals for their meeting registration costs in exchange for a few hours of your time, volunteering at the registration desk, operating lights and PowerPoint, and so on. Contact the Student Affairs Committee and/or the Program Committee for details.

    Finally, a limited number of student grants and travel awards may be available. Contact the Student Affairs Committee and/or the Awards and Grants Committee for details.

    Thank you, and good luck!

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    Call for Papers

    UPDATE: The cut-off date for abstract submittal was November 1st, however limited space remains available in some sessions. Contact Program Chair or individual session chair to determine is space is available in your session of interest before submitting an abstract. Plenty of space remains in the Poster Session, abstracts will be accepted for this session until December 1st.

    We are soliciting abstracts for 20-minute oral presentations for the concurrent technical and poster sessions. Abstract content should be consistent with technical session topics, and may consist of either final or interim original research results. The conference program and session chairs will evaluate submitted abstracts to determine final concurrent session topics. In general, presenters should expect to speak for no more than 17 minutes, allowing for an introduction and limited Q&A after each presentation.

    ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS on-line

    All submitted abstracts may not be accepted. Acceptance of proposed papers is solely at the discretion of the Program Committee. Abstract submittal does not guarantee a place on the schedule.

    The deadline for submission of both Oral Presentation and Poster abstracts is November 1, 2007. Abstracts should not exceed 200 words, excluding title and author addresses, should be in Arial 12-point font, and must adhere to format and layout elements provided in the example below. Indicate the preferred session and whether the paper will be an oral presentation or a poster. Student presentations are eligible for cash awards. Students should indicate their intent to compete for these awards.

    Please submit Annual Conference and Pre-Conference Symposia abstracts electronically by filling out the interactive form on the Section website (preferred) or by sending the files via email to Rhys Evans, Program Chair at sirsnave@verizon.net. In exceptional cases, and only for authors without access to electronic mail or the internet, abstracts may be submitted in other ways, contact the program chair, 805-736-9285, for additional details, no later than November 1, 2007.

    Speakers are expected to register for the conference and cover their travel and lodging expenses. See the Western Section website for registration and other conference information.

    A limited number of student travel grants may be available. Contact the Awards and Grants Committee Chair via the section website for additional details.

    ABSTRACT FORMAT EXAMPLE

    Preferred Session: Northern California

    Type of paper: Oral presentation

    If a student, indicate if you intend to participate in the Student Judging.

    Paper Title: Monitoring bats in a restored montane willow meadow

    Szewczak, Joseph M.; Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA, 95521, USA, 707/826-4132, Fax: 707/826-3201, Email: joe@humboldt.edu

    During the 1920s, the water table of the Knuthson meadow (Carman Valley, Sierra County, CA) was lowered to facilitate a railroad by diverting the original stream flow into a deeply incised channel. Over time, headward erosion in the diversion channel further lowered the water table across the meadow enabling xeric vegetation to replace much of the original willow-dominant riparian/wet meadow vegetation. Restoration work during 2001 plugged the incised diversion channel and returned the streamflow to its original channel with the intention to restore the meadow's hydrology, vegetation, bio-productivity and wildlife potential, for example to accommodate species of concern such as the endangered willow flycatcher. We monitored bat activity (64 person nights) and species composition (51 person nights) four years prior to the restoration, and three years post-restoration over riparian, willow, and sage-scrub zones of the meadow. In all three zones, activity, and abundance, as reflected by time to asymptote of species accumulation curves, increased significantly 2.4, 6.2, and 11-fold respectively over these zones. The unexpectedly rapid post-restoration increase in bat presence may reflect a transitional increase in insect abundance resulting from the disturbances caused by the restoration work rather than the eventual return to the original mature willow meadow condition.

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