Archives
May 2009
As money flows from Legacy Amendment, Minnesotans will see new jobs
The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment never was envisioned as a jobs engine when it was crafted years ago, but pumping $481 million into those areas in the next two years could bring some welcome ripple effects across Minnesota.
MinnPost
April 2009
2009 Kolshorn Lecture
Please join us in 335 Borlaug Hall on April 16, 2009 for the Kolshorn Lecture Series ("Sharks - Magnificent and Misunderstood: Will they be allowed to survive the 21st century?") presented by Dr. Samuel 'Doc' Gruber, Director, Bimini Biological Field Station and Professor, University of Miami. Refrshements served at 5:00 pm with the lecture beginning at 5:15 pm.
February 2009
FW 5625 Wildlife Handling and Immobilization for Research and Management
This hands-on course provides participants with an introduction to both the theoretical and practical aspects of wildlife handling and immobilization. This course is full for Spring 2009. Contact F. Cuthbert, cuthb001@umn.edu with questions.
FW4565 Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology and Management Field Trip is a course designed to introduce students to the ecology and management of Yellowstone National Park. Class closed for Spring 2009; registered students contact Paul Kapfer, kapf0005@umn.edu with questions.
Ray Newman, professor in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, was interviewed on the Jack Rice Show about a decision to eradicate the felines from Macquarie island, which allowed the rabbit population to explode and, in turn, destroy much of its fragile vegetation that birds depend on for cover.
WCCO radio
January 2009
The mystery of carp
In 1880 an article appeared in the New York Times relating to the transfer of 1,000 carp from the United States Fish Commission to the New York State Fish Commissioner... Attempts to rid waters of the bottom-feeder have gone for naught, but recent studies led by Peter Sorensen, a professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota, have shown there may be a way to outsmart the fish.
Sauk Herald (Sauk Centre, Minn)
Carp roundup is a net gain for Minnesota's lakes
The weather helped scientists, out to rid lakes of the damaging fish, round up 90 percent of the carp in Chanhassen's Lake Susan.
Full Article
Ring Tone Project
An article from the New York Times discusses the endangered species ring tone project that Jonathan Slaght was involved in.
Full Article
Jamaica International Field Study Seminar
Tropical Water Quality AGRI 3500
The objectives of the course are to help students understand tropical land use/water quality relationships through experiential and active learning activities. Students must be able to swim, to walk and work in rigorous outdoor settings, and be willing to work in groups. Estimated costs $2,900. Dr. Jim Perry leads this group in Jamaica. Dates of travel are: January 3 to 14, 2009.
Additional Information.
December 2008
Saving tigers
University of Minnesota students can learn about tiger conservation through a three-week course in Thailand. Professor J.L. David Smith, who created the course, has been involved in numerous projects to save tigers in Asia since the 1970s.
Thailand International Field Study Seminar
Large Mammal Research Techniques in Tropical Forests. This course will provide participants with a brief overview of Thailand's culture and conservation challenges and then focus on applying a set of well-developed field survey and conservation tools. The estimated cost is $3,500. Dr. Dave Smith and Mr. Pete Cutter lead this group to Thailand. Dates of travel are December 27, 2008 to January 18, 2009.
Additional Information.
Shirley Hunt Alexander and Andrew Carlson at the recent CFANS Thanksgiving for Scholarships dinner. Andrew is the 2008 recipient of the Joseph Alexander Fund.
Tiger research
Graduate student Bhim Gurung (Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology) comments on the success of tiger conservation in SE Asia.
Science Now
Carp research
An update on the work of prof. Peter Sorensen and researcher Przemyslaw Bajer (Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology) is described.
Eden Prairie News
Ruffed Grouse research
The work of graduate student Lorelle Berkeley and prof. Rocky Gutierrez (Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology) are highlighted.
KARE-TV Minneapolis (Minnesota Bound)
November 2008
"Parvovirus is killing wolf pups in Minnesota
-Tom Meersman
A new study by Minnesota researchers suggests that the virus has stalled the growth of the gray wolf in the state because the disease hits the young hardest."
About half of the wolf pups born in Minnesota each year are killed off by a highly contagious disease called canine parvovirus, according to new research published by a team of Minnesota researchers in a national journal.
The disease has stunted the growth of the state's gray wolf population at a time when wolves are increasing rapidly in number and expanding their range in Wisconsin, Michigan and western states.
"That's not happening in Minnesota, because there aren't quite enough of these wolves to do more than just maintain the population," said David Mech, senior research scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey and lead author of the study."...
Full Article
October 2008
Best Student Poster Presentation
Please join us in congratulating Courtney Amundson for winning the Best Student Poster Presentation at the Midwest F&W Conference for her poster “Marker Effects on Day-old Mallard Ducklings.” This will likely become an appendix chapter of her dissertation. Susie Prange, president of the Ohio Chapter of The Wildlife Society, will be awarding her $100 for Best Student Poster.
August 2008
Announcing the CFANS Graduate Student Orientation Welcome event to be held on Thursday, August 28, 2008, from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at 335 Borlaug Hall. Graduate students who entered the Graduate School during Spring 2008, Summer 2008, or Fall 2009 are encouraged to participate. Speakers from key offices will be presenting information critical to students as they begin their academic career. Directly after the orientation, students are invited to stay for an ice-cream social. Please have students RSVP to Lisa Wiley at lwiley@umn.edu or 612-624-2748.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Field Sessions at Cloquet Forestry Center August 5-27 2008
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences' Introductory and Advanced Field Sessions at Cloquet Forestry Center are unique opportunities for hands-on learning experiences available to students in many majors. To learn more about the Center, visit cfc.cfans.umn.edu. Field sessions are coordinated by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences' Student Services Office located in 190 Coffey Hall, 1430 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
Cloquet Field Session Class FW 4108 - Bear Capture.
Tropical Marine Ecology Lab - August 2008 (Bahamas)
A hands-on introduction to marine field biology in the Bahamas (in collaboration with the University of Miami). Topics covered include: natural history of the Caribbean, mangroves, coral reefs, fish, sharks, sandy inter-tidal zone, rocky inter-tidal zone, marine plant communities, and effects of development. Full details and CFANS course number to be announced early Winter 2008. Additional Information.
(Note: students are encouraged to take Marine Biology FW2003 first.)
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Tropical Marine Ecology Lab watching black tip reef sharks lured in to feed.
July 2008
Edited by: A R Kapuscinski, University of Minnesota, USA; K R Hayes, Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia; S Li, Shanghai Fisheries University, China and G Dana, University of Minnesota, USA.
Aquaculture is rapidly increasing to meet protein demands of a growing population and preferences of consumers with rising living standards. Alongside selective breeding and improved production methods, transgenic fish may be one option for meeting these demands.
This third text in the series presents scientific methodologies, combined with stakeholder deliberation, for assessing and managing ecological risks of transgenic fish. Much of the discussion also applies to selectively bred fish. The science needed to inform environmental biosafety policy and regulation for transgenic animals in aquaculture, particularly in developing countries, is also addressed.
Click here for additional information regarding this book.
June 2008
North American Monarch Conservation Plan.
Karen Oberhauser was the principal author and coordination of the NAMCP.
"This plan provides an updated account of the species and its current situation, identifies the main risk factors affecting it and its habitat throughout the flyway, and summarizes the current conservation actions taken in each country. Against this background, it offers a list of key trinational collaborative conservation actions, priorities and targets to be considered for adoption by the three countries. The actions identified address the following main objectives: (1) decrease or eliminate deforestation in the overwintering habitat; (2) address threats of habitat loss and degradation in the flyway; (3) address threats of loss, fragmentation and modification of breeding habitat; (4) develop innovative enabling approaches that promote sustainable livelihoods for the local population; and (5) monitor monarchs throughout the flyway. The adoption of measures to address these objectives will help conserve the monarch and its habitats for future generations."
Published 06/28/2008. Click the above link to download the book in it's entirety.
Morse-Alumni Award
Todd Arnold, associate professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and Kristen Nelson, associate professor in the departments of Forest Resources and Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, have been awarded the Morse-Alumni Award for outstanding contributions to undergraudate education.
 Richard C. Newman Community Impact Award
Karen Oberhauser, assistant professor, has been awarded the Richard C. Newman Community Impact Award for exemplifying "the best of our land grant tradition as a "people's university" by demonstrating powerful community impact".
 Richard C. Newman Art of Teaching Award
Dave Smith, professor, has been awarded the Richard C. Newman Art of Teaching Award for displaying a "passion for teaching, especially undergraudate teaching, in the natural resource sciences".
Francie Cuthbert named Department Head
"Francie Cuthbert has been named Department Head of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. She has been the interim department head since August 2006 as well as a FWCB faculty member for over 20 years. In addition, she has won numerous service and teaching awards and is recognized internationally for her research and scholarship on waterbirds.
Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms
Vol. 3: Methodologies for Transgenic Fish
May 2008
"Bike to Work" day
Join us the week of May 12 in celebrating the largest celebration of biking and walking both sides of the Mississippi! Sue Schroeder has signed up to lead a workplace team to encourage folks from FWCB to bike or walk to work on "Bike to Work" day (Wednesday May 14). Won't you join her in reducing our departmental carbon emissions? To join the FWCB workplace team--and enter the drawing for prizes--join up at www.bikewalkweek.org and select the U of M -- FWCB team. There are a lot of events in the works for that week, but on Wednesday May 14, hundreds of other people in the Twin Cities will be biking and walking to work together. No experience is necessary and experienced guides will be leading "Commuter Convoys" from neighborhoods all over the metro-area.
For more details, check out: http://www.bikewalkweek.org
April 2008
A new "Speaking of Science" interview
The latest installment of "Speaking of Science" is now online. The newest interviewee is Karen Oberhauser, a professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology . This series of interviews between CFANS dean Allen Levine and key faculty and staff showcases the research and outreach work happening throughout the college.
Read the Q and A with Karen Oberhauser
Listen to raw MP3 audio of the interview:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
"Spring Spectacle: Pelicans migrate through MN"
"Some people are surprised to see pelicans in Minnesota, they think of them as tropical," said Francie Cuthbert, University of Minnesota professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. "Cuthbert said Minnesota, particularly the western part of the state, has a healthy pelican population. Birds moving through now will fan out, with some flying west, and some travelling into Canada to nest and lay their eggs next month."
Full Story
2008 Kolshorn Lecture
Please join us in 110 Green Hall on April 24, 2008 for the Kolshorn Lecture Series ("Are we living in the midst of a sixth mass extinction?") presented by Dr. David B. Wake, Professor of Integrative Biology and Curator of Herpetology, University of California, Berkeley. Refreshments will be served at 4:40 pm followed by the lecture at 5:00 pm.
March 2008
Tony Gamble, a graduate student in the Conservation Biology program who is advised by Andrew Simons was recently featured in the following story:
Gecko tech: Evolution produces ideal adhesive
A researcher at the U's Bell Museum of Natural History is helping to complete an evolutionary history of the 1,100 species of gecko. The information will be useful to scientists hoping to develop a synthetic gecko adhesive.
Two FWCB faculty and staff have won University-wide honors for excellence in teaching and advising. They are:
Morse-Alumni Award for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education winners are Todd Arnold of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and Kristen Nelson, departments of Forest Resources and Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology.
U professor David Fulton studies why hunting and fishing passions are fading. A drop in these activities could threaten the well-being of America's wildlife because money from hunting and fishing licenses helps fund habitat conservation efforts.
Cultivating Culture
"...Kristen Nelson has been studying the ways in which communities interact with scientists for most of her career. The associate professor in the Department of Forest Resources and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology recently finished a handbook for scientists and regulators working on environmental risk assessment in multiple countries..." -Becky Beyers (Full story)
February 2008
"Kids just don't get out(doors) much anymore"
"The trend apears unmistakable: A smaller percentage of people in Minnesota, the United States and elsewhere are participating in outdoor recreation such as hunting, fishing, camping and visiting parks." -Doug Smith, Star Tribune (Full story)
Idaho's wolf management plan gets biologists' support
Wolf advocates say turning management over to the states will lead to a slaughter of wolves and a dramatically lower wolf population than today. ... Mech, senior research scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey and a University of Minnesota professor, is regarded as the pre-eminent wolf biologist in the United States, if not the world.
Seattle Times
Kapuscinski's work recognized
Anne Kapuscinski, a professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, is one of five 2008 recipients of the International Society for Conservation Bilogy's Distinguished Service Award. The award, which will be presented in July, recognizes Kapuscinski's "extraordinaty contributions to conservation research, teaching and conservation policy, particularly related to effects of biotechnology policy on aquatic species," the society says.
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