Nebraska Natural Resources Conference

Time

9:30 a.m.-noon CT

Moving beyond topminnow: Structured decision making to inform management of at-risk wildlife species in Nebraska

Building off of the Plains Topminnow (PTM) research, this workshop will explore its applicability to other wildlife species of conservation concern in Nebraska. Participants will be introduced to structured decision-making and then work through the initial framework for applying a similar process to Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) conservation as a case study. Along the way, we’ll discuss objectives, spatial scales, stakeholder input, and other key considerations that shape decision models. Participants will leave with a practical understanding of structured decision-making and ideas for adapting the framework to their own conservation challenges.

Facilitator

Dr. David Schumann, Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Department of Biology and River Studies Center

Background

Decision-making in conservation planning requires recognition of ecological, social, and political perspectives and the economics of diverse management strategies. Through the process of structured decision-making, valuable stakeholder expertise can be used for deliberation of important ecological and population processes and uncertainties to identify management strategies most likely to achieve conservation objectives. The Nebraska Games and Parks Commission (NGPC) implemented a structured decision-making effort for Plains Topminnow (Fundulus sciadicus, PTM), a prioritized species for management lacking an organized management plan in Nebraska. In collaboration with NGPC, we designed decision analysis tools to inform the statewide management of PTM. We developed a Bayesian belief network to target management efforts and a Bayesian decision network to rank management actions at stream sites identified for management. Through this approach, a standardized, non-regulatory management plan was developed for use in the conservation of PTM in Nebraska through defensible management decisions.

Time

2-5 p.m. CT

First topic: Creative Opportunities to Close Funding Gaps

Funding can be a limiting factor for implementing conservation. In this workshop, we’ll hear from conservation grant writing professionals in Nebraska about how to leverage partnerships to be competitive in the grant writing process and hear lessons learned during a career in grant writing. We’ll also have small group discussions to inspire partner collaboration, identify where funding needs overlap, and discuss ways to improve grant writing across the state. Whether you’ve written grants before, are interested in pursuing funding, or are someone in need of funding for your organization, all are welcome to participate.

Facilitators

Amelia Baker and Jessi Tapp

Second topic: Biosecurity and Field Safety

The Biosecurity and Field Safety Session is meant to encourage students and professionals to make safety and biosecurity an automatic part of their field work rather than an afterthought. We’ll hear from experts on preventing the spread of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, wildlife health, safe handling of animals, and general safety before, during, and after working in the field. We will demonstrate easy preventative maintenance that everyone should be doing as part of the day-to-day work we do. The takeaways from this session should be that these are things we should automatically be doing, rather than an afterthought. Complacency and distraction result in accidents and injuries. An ounce of prevention today avoids a ton of work trying to catch up to the problem once it’s had a chance to run away.

Facilitators

Colleen Rothe-Groleau and Andrea Malek

Time

8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. CT

Tour Option 1: Fire & Range Tour

This field tour builds on the concepts introduced during the Wednesday morning discussion session. While attendees are welcome to participate in the field tour only, attending both sessions will provide the full workshop experience. Additional details on this tour to come. If you are interested in learning more or assisting with the field tour, please reach out to Jacob Harvey at [email protected].

Tour lead

Jacob Harvey

Tour Option 2: Future of the Platte River

This field trip will visit Bassway Strip Wildlife Management Area, where NGPC has been working with partners to restore Platte River floodplain habitats.  Area Manager Aden Shorney will showcase past restoration activities, including tree removal and slough excavations, to improve wildlife habitats.  NGPC staff will also facilitate discussions about how the Platte River has changed over the years, how in-channel habitats are being managed, and how off-channel habitats such as Bassway Strip and other public and private lands, can be leveraged to support local and migratory fish and wildlife species in the future.

Tour leads

Jessi Tapp & Aden Shorney