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2010 Watchable Wildlife Conference
Kearney, Nebraska
October 5-7, 2010
2010 Conference Program
Revised 08/03/10
Business Casual Dress Please
Monday October 4, 2010 9:00-5:00 Tradeshow Set up 1:00-5:00 Registration Desk Open
Tuesday October 5, 2010 7:30-5:00 Registration Desk Open 7:30-9:00 Breakfast 9:00-12:00 General Session 9:00-9:30 Welcome
Carrol Henderson, Minnesota DNR, Chairman, WW, Inc.
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Representative
NE State Tourism Representative
Kearney, NE Representative
Jim Mallman, President Watchable Wildlife, Inc. 9:30-10:30
Keynote Speaker: Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, U.S. Forest Service 10:30-11:00 Break and Trade Show 11:00-12:00 Track Introductions 1) Natural Resource Conservation & Management
Track Leader - Kristal Stoner
Understanding what constitutes a high-quality wildlife viewing experience continues to be a top priority of natural resource professionals. Accomplishing this while protecting the resources entrusted to them must always be the goal. This track will focus on templates being used in Nebraska as well as other regions of the country that can facilitate the achievement of these goals. 2) Site Development & Management
Track Leader - Bill Taddicken, Director, Iain Nocolson Audubon Center, Rowe Sanctuary
No area of nature/wildlife tourism has developed and improved in quality more than site development. From boardwalks to viewing platforms, interpretive signage to fixed optics, viewing site planning, construction and maintenance: all offer great opportunities for attracting, educating and impressing visitors. This track will focus on the latest viewing site designs, techniques and practices. 3) Wildlife/Nature Tourism
Track Leader - Sarah Focke
For more than ten years Nature/Wildlife Tourism has demonstrated one of the strongest growth patterns in the travel and outdoor recreation market. Yet despite this growth most local and state departments of tourism lack a real understanding on how to develop a successful wildlife tourism program. This track will focus on how to identify and promote the key natural assets of an area and how to best utilize the services offered by CVBs and federal and state agencies.
12:00-1:30 Lunch
Speaker: Al Batt
Al Batt is an outstanding writer, speaker, storyteller and humorist. He has been featured in many magazines and newspapers as well as on radio and TV including commentaries for public radio. He writes weekly "Nature's World", "Tales From Exit 22", "Bird Stories", "From the Batt Cave" and "A Batt In Your Belfry" humor and nature columns for newspaper syndication, and does a regular show titled, "Birding With Batt". He also makes regular radio appearances on KTOE and KOWZ. He writes a number of popular cartoon strips that are syndicated nationally, and is a regular contributor to nature and birding magazines, newspapers and farm periodicals. Although he has not yet run for President, he has written jokes for a former President of the United States and his mother thinks he is special. 1:30-3:00 Follow Tracks
Natural Resource Conservation & Management
Get the Most out of Your Land
Speakers: Bruce Switzer & Sarah Sortum
Description: Bruce always hoped that one day his children would be able to come back home to live and work on the Switzer Ranch on land that has been in the family for well over 100 years. Ranching is their passion and way of life yet how can it support more than one family. Hear from Bruce and Sarah the history of Calamus Outfitters/ Switzer Ranch and what led them to take a trip to Namibia. Allow yourself to become part of their trip as they share with you what they saw there and how it relates back to Nebraska / Switzer Ranch, what they are doing now, and new potential projects for next year.
Site Development & Management
Eyes on Nature (Using Electronic Instruments) Speaker: Aaron Clark & Chris Helzer, Five Nines Technology Group
Description: Webcams, digital cameras and night scopes are just a few of the electronic instruments used to enhance the wildlife viewing experience. This session will demonstrate some of this latest technology and show how it can be used on your projects. This session will be held on site at The Nature Conservancy's Derr House restoration site.
Wildlife/Nature Tourism
Site Assessment Speaker: Jim Mallman
Description: Do you really know where you live? Have you visited the top wildlife viewing sites within 60 miles of your town? If not, how are you going to promote the region to potential visitors? This session will help you look at your region through the eyes of a tourist.
3:00-3:30 Break 3:30-5:00 Follow Tracks:
Natural Resource Conservation & Management
Odd & Obscure Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
Speakers: Dennis Ferraro
Description: Dennis Ferraro is the resident herpetologist and an extension associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As an award winning educator, Dennis has helped visitors from across North America better understand the wildlife viewing opportunities snakes, amphibians, turtles and lizards offer. As the head of the curriculum committee for Nebraska's new Master Naturalist program, Ferraro is hoping to inspire outdoor outfitters and bed and breakfast owners to take advantage of these opportunities. Ferraro also used his knowledge of rattlesnakes' habits and defenses to help park officials at Scottsbluff National Monument in western Nebraska create boardwalks and tunnels that allowed park visitors and rattlesnakes to coexist safely.
Site Development & Management
Prairie Restorations Speaker: NE Representative
Description: One of the fastest growing areas of interest in Wildlife/Nature Tourism is wildflowers, butterflies and insects. Nothing helps promote these plants and species more than restoring native prairie habitat. In this session restoration experts will talk about the latest methods being used and how several major restoration projects have influenced the return of species to a region.
Wildlife/Nature Tourism
Partnerships Speaker: Peg Abbott, Naturalist Journeys
Description: Crafting eco-travel between two National Forests seemed like a winning and timely idea. This session looks at the hurdles, hassles and hopes of a small tour operator attempting to navigate the process of building connections between two states and two National Forests. Peg Abbott, of Naturalist Journeys, LLC, will discuss the competition and connections (or lack of) between tourism departments across state lines, and review problems associated with promoting charismatic wildlife species, such as the Mexican Wolf and Mexican Spotted Owl as part of tour promotion. Perched on the Mexican border where tensions are rising, she is attempting to chart connections essential to wildlife/Nature Tourism in the next decade, taking in a regional view.
6:00-9:00 Evening Open
Wednesday October 6, 2010 6:00-8:30 Birding Field Trip Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary
Best known for the spring migration for sandhill cranes, Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary is a place for wildlife for all seasons. At nearly 1,900 acres, Rowe Sanctuary has wet meadows, upland prairie, riparian areas, warm water sloughs and crop ground. Starting at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center, two hiking trails offer opportunities to explore riparian and tall-grass prairie habitats for birds, mammals, insects and plants. Wildlife that may be encountered during this field trip include migrating hawks, gulls, shorebirds, warblers and sparrows, along with white-tailed deer and beaver. 7:30-5:00 Registration Desk open 8:00-9:00 Breakfast 9:00-10:30 Follow Tracks:
Natural Resource Conservation & Management
Missouri River Restoration Project
Speaker: Gene Bormann
Description: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) has funded an adult census and productivity monitoring of least terns and piping plovers on the Missouri River beginning in 1986 when both species were listed under the Endangered Species Act to the present. The COE has conducted the monitoring since 1993. This presentation will discuss the two bird species' identification characteristics, their life histories, foraging habits, diet, and behaviors. Since 2004 the COE has also been very actively involved in providing habitat for the two species by constructing sandbar habitat in the Missouri River and its reservoirs. This Emergent Sandbar Habitat (ESH) project will be described.
Site Development & Management
Conducting Digital Photo Workshops Speaker: Steve Maanum & Joe Courneya
Description: Steve and Joe have designed a program that integrates nature photography into the curriculum at different grade levels and different subject areas. Step 1 involves a 4 hour workshop where they train formal and non-formal educators and youth leaders in the use of digital cameras and editing software. In step 2 they assist teachers, individually, in designing lesson plans that connect the nature photography component to the teacher's existing curriculum. When each teacher is ready to implement his/her unit of study with the students, Steve and Joe provide a kit of digital cameras as they serve as mentors throughout the photography portion of the unit. All of the activities are linked to Education Standards and to 4-H Life Skills.
Wildlife/Nature Tourism
US Fish & Wildlife Speaker: TBA
Description: TBA
10:30-11:00 Break & Trade Show 11:00-12:30 Follow Tracks:
Natural Resource Conservation & Management
1st International Wildlife Viewing Trail Speaker: Representatives from USA and Canada
Description: From Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre to Gull Harbor, The Pine to Prairie Wildlife Trail that stretches across Northern Minnesota has now been officially extended into Canada and across Manitoba. This session will describe how this project was initiated, developed and implemented. Some of the unique ideas on site development, viewing blinds and waste management that were introduced during this project will also be discussed.
Site Development & Management
Adding it up: (The Economic Benefits of Wildlife Viewing in Urban and Rural Areas) Speaker: Leon Aliski, Dean Runyan Assoc. and Meg Kenagy, OR DF&W
Description: Leon Aliski and Meg Kenagy will present the findings of a study to document the economic significance and travel characteristics of wildlife viewing in Oregon. They will discuss how the study results can be used by individuals and organizations to find support for their programs.
Wildlife/Nature Tourism
People Management Speakers: Barrett Kennedy and Peggy Reilly from Leave No Trace- Center for Outdoor Ethics
Description: We can't love our outdoor spaces too much, but we can mismanage them. Increased traffic means increased problems. How can education play a key role in the mitigation of the negative effects brought on by more visitors. This session will talk about existing programs available to educate practitioners and the public on "leaving no trace" in their favorite wild spaces.
12:30-1:30 Lunch
Keynote Speaker: TBA
1:45-3:00 Follow Tracks:
Natural Resource Conservation & Management
Bighorn Sheep Reintroduction Speaker: Brad McKinney
Description: Many regions across North America have taken on programs to reintroduce species that once inhabited their lands. In addition to promoting wildlife & biodiversity, many of these animals offer a potential for promoting Wildlife/Nature Tourism. This session will give an overview of the project designed to reintroduce the Bighorn Sheep back to Western Nebraska. Learn how this project was implemented and the effects it has had on visitors as well as residents and businesses in the area.
Site Development & Management
NatureWatch - Looking Forward Speaker: US Forest Service
Description: The USDA Forest Service has been an important partner in Watchable Wildlife since its start in 1991. The last years have been a time of great change and transition for the Forest Service. Many of these changes have important implications for our efforts to enhance the public's appreciation of watchable wildlife resources, and their access to wildlife viewing opportunities on the public lands we manage. This session will take a brief look at the history of our NatureWatch and outreach programs, share our agency's priorities and emphasis areas, and discuss how we plan to move this well-established programs forward. We will also outline our plans for reaching a larger and more diverse audience in promoting appreciation of these valuable natural resources. However, the most important goal of this session will be listening to you! We are interested in hearing feedback from the wildlife and tourism professionals attending the conference. Please join the discussion on our past work, and how best we can work with you in the future to advance the joint mission of Watchable Wildlife Inc. and the Forest Service - "To Help Communities and Wildlife Prosper".
Wildlife/Nature Tourism
Wildlife/Nature Tourism Economics
(What's that Park really worth) Speaker: Jeff Fields, Park Superintendent, Ponca State Park
Description: How much is a nearby park, outdoor event or wildlife viewing opportunity worth to a community? Learn how the small town of Ponca and nearby Ponca State Park have worked together to create a relationship that led to economic development, business opportunities, local pride and the enhancement of the park itself. This unique partnership has created several successful events, such as the Missouri River Outdoor Expo, a weekend event that attracts more than 40,000 people each September. Get a feel for how local townspeople and business leaders have benefited by increasing exposure to the park, and how a renewed sense of community has lead to a better park and a better year-around revenue stream for the community.
3:00-3:30 Break & Trade Show 3:30-5:00 Follow Tracks:
Natural Resource Conservation & Management
The World of Cranes Speaker: Jim Harris, International Crane Foundation
Description: Kearney, Nebraska has gained international fame as one of the world's best viewing sites for Sandhill Cranes. However, this is just one of the fifteen species of cranes remaining. Several of these species are near extinction. Join Jim Harris on a tour of the world and learn more about these magnificent birds, their current status and what is being done by conservation groups, communities and governments around the globe in an attempt to save and protect the remaining populations of cranes.
Site Development & Management
Valuing Regional Assets Speaker: Bill Taddicken, Director, Iain Nocolson Audubon Center, Rowe Sanctuary and Richard Edwards
Description: The Lillian Annette Rowe Bird Sanctuary, commonly known as Rowe Sanctuary, is dedicated to the conservation of sandhill cranes, whooping cranes and other migratory birds, and their habitat along the Platte River in southcentral Nebraska. Owned and managed by the National Audubon Society, the original purchase of 782 acres in 1974, which was funded by Lillian Annette Rowe of Trenton, NJ, included 2.5 miles of river channel, wet meadows, and some agricultural fields. Additional land acquisitions have increased the current size of the sanctuary to nearly 1,900 acres.
Wildlife/Nature Tourism
Social Media Speaker: Scott Bonertz, Public Information Manager
Information & Education Division NE Game and Parks Commission
Description: Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, every time you look there seems to be a new electronic media source that claims to have the attention of half the country. What are the real social media tools and how can you get them to work for you.
6:30-7:30 Reception 7:30-9:30 Watchable Wildlife Banquet
Keynote Speaker: TBA
Thursday October 7, 2010 6:00-8:30 Birding Field Trip - The Rainwater Basin, a 6,100-square-mile wetland complex in southcentral Nebraska, is an important stopover spot for millions of waterbirds migrating through the Central Flyway and was designated in 2009 as the first Landscape of Hemispheric Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. Together, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manage over 90 wetlands in this complex, several of which we will tour. Although birdwatching will be the focus, one stop will offer prairie dog viewing opportunities as well. Peak bird use occurs during the spring migration, but we expect a variety of Great Plains species to be present in early October, particularly if water conditions are favorable. More information about the Rainwater Basin can be found at www.rwbjv.org. 7:30-11:00 Registration Desk opens 8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-10:30 General Session:
Digital Bridge to Nature Speakers: Carrol Henderson, Jim Mallman, Steve Maanum
Description: For the past 25 years state and federal agencies have been studying a declining trend of young people recreating in the outdoors and specifically in wild settings. In more recent years this topic has been the subject of several popular books and workshops. Watchable Wildlife Inc. has been conducting workshops and publishing books on the tremendous growth in the popularity of Wildlife Viewing across North America. This work has led us to partner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on a project that we feel combines the trends and demographics of these two developments. Digital Bridge To Nature© is a program geared towards attracting young people back into the forests and other wild areas through the use of the technology they are most interested in and comfortable with. On July 10th this project became reality when the first of 80 workshops was held in Luverne, MN. This session will preview these workshops, the tools and kits developed for teachers and the workbook designed to teach the program across North America. 10:30-11:00 Break 11:00-12:00 General session:
TBA Speaker: TBA
Description: TBA 12:00- Closing Remarks &Conference Adjourns
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