what are the structures of the gridded area in the center of the island? is there any vegetation restoration as part of the project?

Did you consider water based observation blinds?

Thanks!

Do you know if wind direction plays any role in bird locations around the island?

Since use doesn't equate to benefit, how have you considered bennifit?

Were there any other noticeable factors that influenced bird location throughout the day?

maybe there is interest in helping ID birds from community scientists? shorebirds are so hard, but there's a lot of keen eyes out there!

How is the island benefiting the birds?

Thanks for the additional detail Martha! Wow, lots of woody vegetation, and invasive/non-desired veg, interesting

Thanks Stephen! Great work out there!

Otherwise know as the Red Lake Peatlnds

Steve, were you able to determine territory size of Connecticut Warblers in your study areas? What was it and did it differ between areas?

What is this total acreage of the existing spruce stand where harvest is planned?

What are the top mortality factors for CW's?

Each replicate is ~50 acres. Total = ~200 acres

Thanks for the clarification.

Did you notice any nest predation? Is this nesting strategy more or less likely to make it to hatching/fledging?

Thanks Steve! Such important work on this incredible bird and these beautiful forests.

Great study!

The long history of spruce and tam logging has been for pulp

Black spruce is very marketable. One of The reasons for the study on the WMA is to show this type of harvest is doable for forestry purposes,

Thanks for the info Gretchen!

And black spruce harvest is mandated on WMAs as per STHA/I.

Thanks for info Gretchen, is it mostly forestry that is competing land use with habitat? including up into Canada range?

Great job on the presentation Steve!

And, I am not sure, Nina. But likely. BS harvest on state land normally requires a complete clear-cut down to every tree >3' tall.

For mistletoe management in addition to harvest for the market.

Yikes! Thanks again Gretchen!

😄

thanks, I look forward to learning more with the study on forestry harvest practices that are compatible with Connecticut warbler!

😂

BS forests are considered even-aged. Natural stands are not. Even aged management according to Forestry is needed to reproduce it.

Or Steve's interviews in Vegas...

Is population the issue or our overconsumption in this nation and our over-represented use of fossil fuels on the planet?

Thank you for your dedication and leadership in the overpopulation crisis and SEPS. You remind me of Donella Meadows. Her DOD was Monday.

We're on the cusp of mass climate refugee migration. and relocation due to our overconsumption of fossil fuels compared to other nations. Don't we have a responsibility to consider development pressures we cause other nations due to our love of inexpensive goods? (Beef production in Brazil, Avocado production destroying Monarch habitat). Aren't we just passing our resource use to other nations?

I think urban sprawl is something we are more capable of getting under control. I used to do environmental review and saw so many residential developments creating 2.5 acre lots. Now lots often come in <1 acre, 1 acre, 2.5 acre, 5 acre, 10 acre, and 40 acre sizes. 2.5 is the worst, because it spreads people out too much, and yet homeowners can easily mow their entire lot. With 5 acre lots at least there is room for some greenspace between homes.

I strongly disagree with that statement that how many children is not a private matter. It is not yours or anyone else's right to tell me how many children I can have. What I can do, though, is teach my children in word and example to be wise with how they use resources and carry out their life.

I agree with you, Matthew

I don't believe we are seeing his presentation screen

Are the slides supposed to be advancing?

I was going to say, does he know he is not presenting his PP?

My comment was going to be along the lines that while I don't disagree with the sentiment that we are facing an overpopulation issue, I completely disagree with the tribalism in the argument made. I would be willing to bet that many of us on the call are only 1 or 2 generations removed from immigrants - our parents/grandparents/great grandparents also sought better lives when they came here. Further, it feels very difficult to point fingers at others when many of us US citizens can be doing a much better job of improving our ecological footprint. The "white fright" that happened (and continues to happen) in the Chicago area I grew up in was/is driven by white Americans, driving their big SUVs with their multiple children - not by immigrants looking for a better life and basic human rights. This same urban sprawl is happening in many other cities in our country - chewing up valuable acres and natural resources.

Well said, Nicole.

I completely agree, Nicole.

I'm with you, Nicole. I got triggered in many ways. I think population growth is one aspect and doesn't consider the system. Part of immigration is because WE in the US are consuming their resources for our overconsumption.

I also agree with the sentiments above about overconsumption and just needing to teach our children to be better. Some families of 6 can live with smaller ecological footprints than some families of 2.

Amen Nicole! My sentiments exactly. The footprint of White Privilege is much larger than an immigrant family.

Thanks, Nicole, good points

Population is only part of the issue.

There is so much we can do to be more environmentally conscious in our every day lives. But I completely disagree with any “solution” that was made for population growth. I think there is a reason that organizations don’t focus on controlling population growth, It feels like such a privileged opinion to have.

Good points all! I still think the issue is overconsumption.

So Matthew as long as families and individuals control their consumption there is no problem for anyone or anything with increasing populations per state, per country, per continent?

Going back to Karen's presentation, I also want to add that the argument that black folks in this country would be doing better if it weren't for immigrants is a false narrative, based in thoughts that come out of white privilege. It pits one historically disadvantaged group against another, rather than addressing the systemic issues that we face in this country.

Well said Nicole!

Nicole PLEASE read Roy’s book before you spread that idea, it is well documented that industry much prefers to hire immigrants than African Americans and they did better every time the US clamped down on immigration

it is not pitting one group against another, it is about the actual effect of our immigration policy on those already disadvantaged due to racism and racist policies

In NW MN, it is not small family farms. Corporate ag is eliminating historically unfarmed areas of wildlife habitat.

Congrats Mike!

Congrats all poster winners!!!!!

Congrats to all the winners!

Great work students!

Congrats to the students!

thnx to lindsey for coordinating!

Thanks Lindsey!

Do you plan to continue the surveys as the habitat work and restorations succeed or grow up again to find the habitat sweet spots?

How have natural disturbance regimes changed?

Can you put out passive recorders?

Thanks! Nice work! I hope we can replicate some of it in the St Louis River Estuary as we attempt to restore hemi-marshlands.

Impressed with response rate...disappointed some of the membership doesn't see as much value in DEI work

Members responded with all answers to questions - can't please everyone

What is the difference between the objectives of affirmative action and dei

Here here, Kristin!

This isn't just being talked about in MNTWS. I was at the SAF/SFEC wildlife forestry research workshop last week and SAF held a DEI survey and presentation as well.

Other than the long term data of discrimination of women and people of color is their data on others?

DEI is something all members can implement. Affirmative action is in the realm of administrators

So Affirm gets you in the roiom dei gets you heard?

Perhaps affirmative action is a tool toward improving DEI?

I see AA as more about representation based on population diversity categories and an attempt to make the organization reflect the publics they represent

If we know DEI is not being practiced how do we know and since we know isn't there some quantification of some metric?

Sneak peek at the report - For the demographics question: Responses mentioned gender or sex 79 times, race or ethnicity 55 times, age 39 times, relationship status 30 times, sexual orientation 14 times, career stage 8 times, parental status 5 times, religious information 3 times, and neurodiversity 2 times. Non-disabled, parent of diverse children, low-income, in recovery, and ally were all terms used 1 time each by respondents in describing themselves.

Check out this video that explains DEI in a very simple example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX_Vzl-r8NY The Unequal Opportunity Race

Thanks Nicole! Right on!

Correct Michelle. It's a lifelong process of self improvement and understanding.

We can only grow through discomfort

So DEI is mostly individual behavior based?

Yes, Nicole thanks for the personal perspective and for putting it so well - we do need to be inclusive not exclusionary! THANK YOU

How important is a common understanding of DEI words, language and terminology

And as we move forward, I (and we) need to accept that we each will make those mistakes. The key in my mind is to assure we have supportive colleagues around us who will check us and help each individual grow.

FYI... mn valley nwr/wmd in Bloomington and Carver offices (FWS) and our partners are heading an urban initiative and dealing with inclusion in many ways. From hiring to changing land uses and management, and most importantly welcoming all to their public lands.

Thanks SOOOO much for your efforts DEI Committee! Your work can only benefit us all, our chapter, society & profession.

Thomson - There is a document with some language. In the end, it is how we each interpret.

Thank you DEI Committee!

I wouldn't mind hearing some of these stories. I have experienced persecution in the workplace because of my religion. Almost daily harassment, was my first job in natural resources.

Thanks, all! Important work moving us forward.

Isn't folks a bit ageist?

Yes, thank you DEI committee!!!

My observation is that not everyone in the Chapter is willing to do the work, but my opinion is if you care about the people in the wildlife conservation profession, their ideas and there experiences, this needs to be met head on in all corners of the profession. Do you think we, as a Chapter, are at a critical mass to do the work?

I use crew often

"hey crew"

"y'all" here

Maybe Brian is a 'Folks Hero'.

I have a great little "meme" with alternatives on "hey guys" phrasings that I can share. "Hey Movers and Shakers" and "Hey Change Makers" are some of my favorites for work situations!

Here is a language resource for DEI : https://cdn.naaee.org/sites/default/files/eepro/resource/files/di-vocab-sheet.pdf

I agree, Kyle. Not sure if we are at critical mass. We would love others to join us in this effort! Lots of little action items in the report that folks can tackle to help out, or just do on their own to help make a difference.

saravacek5@gmail.com (for the DEI mailing list)

action items are always beneficial and I do believe the members of this Chapter care deeply about each other and our cumulative success/failures in wildlife conservation.

Here is also a video that we use in Power of Inclusion series early on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC7lbdD1hq0

I meant receiving DEI stories via email, not publicly in this forum, of course :)

I look forward to closely working with the DEI Committee and others during the coming year in my new position...will need your help and coaching...

I’m right there with you, Bruce

That is, I benefit from coaching all the time

Life online - dogs, kids all of life present .:)

Let's all celebrate the dogs in our lives!

😄

…. and other companions

Woof

Oh no! I use "folks" all the time! It's how I've tried to untrain myself from "guys"...

My 4-lgged co-worker has kept me sane the past 2.5 years. 😄

My elderly cats were much more well-behaved co-workers than my new kittens. I apologize to all in advance for the kittens... 😹

😁

The old adage that "good forest management is good wildlife management" was being challenged over forty years ago. Where are we today?

Thanks Gary, to you and the rest of the Stewardship Network for being the voice for our resources.

Thanks Gary and group.

Mark, in answer to your question, I would say - yes, it's still being challenged. Many in the DNR and industry still believe it to be true.

Cats head for the keyboard and hang up.

😁

"Good forest management is good wildlife management" pales, in relation (degradation, destruction, disfunction, poisoning) to the myth that "farmers' are the original environmentalists

Thom, I hear that line substituting loggers vs farmers every day. Forest practices have changed a lot in the past 2 decades. You could list all of those same practices degrading forest resources as we speak.

It's just as important, actually more important for Wildlife to admit face its own myths and biases.

So who is likely to oppose RAWA?

Agreed Thom! I've never agreed with the phrase that "Foresters do more wildlife management by accident than Wildlife Biologists do", either.

Thanks Kyle

Kyle - do states with less or more restrictions on firearms receive, respectively, relatively more or less benefit via PR due to associated sales?

Great question, Mark

Is the conflict impact between "shooters" contributions the fund and their negative contributions to wildlife conservation public lands known?

And thank the industry who right the checks. For many this is their top line item.

Write. ugh

Kyle - can you plz tie in Diversity and inclusion into the use of these funds please? Is this being promoted and receiving attention please? Thank you

How they vote and what they support

Are there opportunities to recruit new gunowners who are not hunters to become hunters? Same for archery? Would that be a reverse direction than historical pathways between hunting and firearms?

BTW - Please submit diverse outdoor stories to https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/outdoor-adventure/index.html

Thank you, Kyle!

Thanks, Kyle!

Thanks Kyle

Nice job Kyle. Thank you.

That plenary rocked! I was a little overwhelmed and also really enjoyed it.

shots fired!

Y'all did an excellent job making the pivot to virtual in such short order. Nice work!!

Thanks everyone! I know it was a lot of work and it was great!

Thanks all, for a wonderful meeting, even if only virtual. The same amount of work was required to pull this off I know. Kudos to all who helped and those who presented and participated. Miss seeing you in person! Here's to 2023! Thanks again!

Thanks Kyle for all you do with the PR and WMA issue!

Good job Movers and Shakers, thank you!

Gather.Town still makes me giggle but it was a great alternative considering we couldn't meet with students in person!

you should have had John try to do the quiz bowl remotely!😆

Gr8 work folks! Thanks so much for an awesome meeting!

😄 I was thinking that too!

Thanks everyone! It was a rush, inspirational and thought provoking as usual :) Great job! SEE you next year!