Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2016

8:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Gary Whelan, Co-Chair Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division


8:05 a.m.
Posting of Colors – Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Color Guard
Dean Molnar, Michigan Department of Natural Resources


8:10 a.m.
National Anthem
Doug Reeves, Michigan Department of Natural Resources


8:15 a.m.
Introductory Comments

• Bill Moritz, Director, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
• Brian Calley, Lt. Governor of Michigan

8:35 a.m.
Michigan, We Have A Narrative: Why Science Needs Story
Randy Olson, Author

For 25 years Randy Olson has been a man on a science communication mission. His journey is now documented in three books. The first, “Don’t Be Such A Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style” (Island Press, 2009) addressed the problems the science world has when it comes to communicating information to the public. For this he drew on his previous career as a marine biologist, which included earning his Ph.D. in Biology at Harvard University, then spending several years studying coral reef ecology on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Shortly after achieving tenure, he moved to Hollywood where he got screamed at by a psychotic acting teacher on the first night of acting class which changed his entire life as he tells in the book. It was the beginning of his looking at the communication dynamics of academics in general from a different, outside perspective. He earned an MFA in Cinema at the University of Southern California then wrote and directed several feature films including “Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus,” which aired on Showtime in 2007. This led to his second book, co-authored with actors Dorie Barton and Brian Palermo and titled, “Connection: Hollywood Storytelling Meets Critical Thinking.” Out of their Connection Storymaker Workshop they developed the tools needed to address the communications problems of science. Now he will be publishing his third book, “Houston, We Have A Narrative: Why Science Needs Story,” which presents what he feels is the solution to the communications challenge — the need to understand and promote narrative principles through the world of science.

★ Dr. Randy Olson will hold a book signing in the Exhibit Hall on Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. after his Plenary presentation. Copies of his two books will be available for purchase at a special discounted rate for conference attendees:  “Houston, We Have a Narrative: Why Science Needs Story”;  and “Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style”
 

9:15 a.m.
Awards Presentation: North Central Division - American Fisheries Society
Presented by: Melissa Wuellner, President, North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society

• Outstanding Chapter (Small & Large):  Two awards (small chapter, large chapter) will be given to the chapters that have carried out the most active programs of enhancing professionalism and fisheries science.
• Best Chapter Communications:  One award will be given to the chapter that has developed the most efficient, useful, and attractive newsletter and website to disseminate information to its members. 
• Outstanding Student Subunit:  One award will be given to the North Central Division student subunit that has carried out the most active program in developing interest among undergraduate and graduate students in fisheries science and fulfilling the mission of the American Fisheries Society. 
• Meritorious Service:  This award recognizes extraordinary service to the American Fisheries Society (Chapter, Division, Section, or Parent Society level) by a North Central Division member.
• Recognition of Joan Duffy Award recipients:  One award is given to a student from each North Central Division chapter for travel assistance to the Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference.

9:30 a.m.
Awards Presenation: The Wildlife Society
Presented by: Mike Larson, President, North Central Section of The Wildlife Society

• Outstanding Wildlife Student Awards: One undergraduate and one graduate student recognized for academic achievement, professional experience, and activities in The Wildlife Society.
• Student Chapter of the Year Award: An exemplary student chapter recognized for its contributions to The Wildlife Society’s mission and goals.
• Professional Award of Merit: The North Central Section's most prestigious award.  Recognizing outstanding professional accomplishments in wildlife conservation and leadership over a period of years in any area of wildlife work.

9:45 a.m.
Awards Presentation: Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award 
Presented by: Jessica Mistak

The Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award was created in 2005 to recognize undergraduate and graduate students for their achievements in the field of fisheries or wildlife management. Each year, up to 25 Fenske Memorial Award finalists are selected based on their enthusiasm to protect fisheries and wildlife resources through management activities, selflessness and motivation to teach others, interest in professional involvement, integrity, positive attitude, and compassion.

10:00 a.m.
Door Prize Distribution (must be present to win)


10:05 a.m.
Adjourn 

8:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Doug Reeves, Co-Chair Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division

8:05 a.m.
Strategic Visions for Conservation
William Demmer, President, Boone and Crockett Club

Bill Demmer is a hunter, angler and businessman from Lansing, Michigan. He is also President of America's first conservation organization, the Boone and Crockett Club.

8:55 a.m.
Competing Values in Great Lakes Resource Management
Dr. Frank Lupi, Michigan State University

Professor Frank Lupi is a Natural Resource and Environmental Economist with appointments in the Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics and the Fisheries and Wildlife Departments at Michigan State University. He is a member of the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management, a collaborative effort between scientists at Michigan State University and Great Lakes resource management agencies. Lupi is an ecosystem valuation expert whose applied research addresses the economics of ecosystem services, fisheries, wildlife, and water. Current projects address resource management issues in the Great Lakes including the valuation of recreational fisheries; public demand and values for water quality; economic benefits of reducing non-point pollution from agriculture in Great Lakes watersheds; economic benefits of public lands for hunting; benefits of wildlife habitat restoration; and payment for environmental service policies to incentivize provision of ecosystem services.

8:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks 
Gary Whelan, Co-Chair Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division

8:05 a.m.
Talk with Teddy
James Foote

James Foote's remarkable portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt has been honed over the past quarter century. Mr. Foote, 59, who lives in Sea Cliff, New York, logs 20,000 miles a year portraying Theodore Roosevelt in speeches and interviews. He has been portraying T. R., a New York governor who became the 26th U.S. president of the United States for more than 30 years. Theodore Roosevelt is remembered for his foreign policy, corporate reforms and ecological preservation.


8:55 a.m.
Midwest Ignite Session (more info)