Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month to all Wildlife Students and Professionals!

This month, we celebrate the richness and diversity of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community. Every individual across the spectrum of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued in the workplace and in the outdoors.

Human diversity strengthens conservation and wildlife protection efforts, just as biodiversity strengthens ecosystems. The skills, knowledge, and passion of LGBTQ2SIA+ students and professionals contribute to the vital work of preserving nature and ensuring the flourishing of all species.

The Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society continues to foster a culture of inclusion (https://watws.org/resources/DEI/WATWS%20DEI%20Mission%20Statement%202024-02-01.pdf) and belonging, where everyone feels empowered to contribute to the conservation mission. If you would like to learn more about how The Wildlife Society embraces LGBTQ2SIA+ members across the wildlife profession, please visit Out in the Field (https://wildlife.org/out-in-the-field/). Together, we can create a world where wildlife thrives and all people can connect with nature, free from discrimination.

05/30/2026

EXCITING NEWS! This year, the Board and Membership Committee are thrilled to introduce a brand-new leadership opportunity; the Student Liaison to the Board - a first-of-its-kind position designed exclusively for undergraduate students!

This role offers a unique chance for undergraduates to engage directly with the Chapter’s leadership, contribute to strategic initiatives, and represent student voices across Washington.

It is our pleasure to introduce Milo Nikolic. He is an undergraduate student at Western Washington University.

05/22/2026

The Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society is seeking artists interested in contributing design concepts for our new chapter logo. We encourage you to review the WATWS Call for Artists Submission Guidelines (https://watws.org/resources/2026%20New%20Logo%20Call%20for%20Artists/05212026%20Final%20WATWS%20Call%20for%20Artists%20submission%20guidelines.docx.pdf) and consider submitting your own design. Please also feel free to share this opportunity with fellow wildlife professions and artists who may be interested.

Design submission must be emailed to [email protected] by close of business June 30, 2026.

If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected].

Thank you for your consideration—we look forward to seeing your ideas!

01/06/2026

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Barry Berejikian, the Fisheries Enhancement and Conservation Program Manager and Station Chief at the NOAA Fisheries Manchester Research Station in Washington, will join us as plenary speaker at the WATWS Joint Conference in Wenatchee, WA (https://watws.wildapricot.org/page-18193).

01/01/2026

We’re excited to bring you a fresh edition of the Washington Wildlifer, (https://watws.org/resources/Newsletters/2025%20WA-TWS%20Winter%20Newsletter.pdf) your gateway to the latest research, field insights, and conservation stories shaping wildlife management across Washington’s diverse landscape. Inside, you’ll find updates on wildlife connectivity research along I-90, the ongoing work of the wolf-cattle collaborative, progress from the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse translocation effort, and an opportunity to get involved with bumblebee surveys. You’ll also discover community-powered monitoring updates for burrowing owls and western grebes, as well as the latest on this year’s deer hemorrhagic disease outbreak in Eastern Washington.

Looking ahead, you’ll find everything you need to get involved in next year’s Seas to Summits joint annual conference, plus new leadership and mentorship opportunities, and an invite to celebrate the incredible work of your fellow professionals and volunteers. But, before you dive in, we extend our deepest thanks to Mike Hall, who has generously and skillfully edited this newsletter for many years, keeping our community informed, connected, and inspired! Thank you, Mike!

As always, we’d love to hear from you! Please let us know what topics or stories you’d like to see more of in future issues!

Best regards, and wishing each of you a safe and Happy New Year!

12/31/2025

More exciting news..... David Moskowitz, biologist, author and photographer will also be one of our plenary speakers for the 2026 Joint Conference in Wenatchee, WA.

David works in the fields of photography, wildlife biology and education. He is the photographer and author of three books: Caribou Rainforest, Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest and Wolves in the Land of Salmon, co-author and photographer of Peterson’s Field Guide to North American Bird Nests and photographer of Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin.

David has contributed his technical expertise to a wide variety of wildlife studies regionally tracking and other non-invasive methods to study wildlife ecology and promote conservation. He helped establish the Cascades Wolverine Project, a grassroots effort to support wolverine recovery in the North Cascades using field science, visual storytelling, and building backcountry community science.

12/30/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Cindy R. Elliser as one of our plenary speakers for the 2026 Joint Conference in Wenatchee, WA.

Dr. Cindy R. Elliser is a marine mammalogist with over 25 years’ research experience. She received her B.S, M.S. and PhD in Biological Sciences and Integrative Biology from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Before moving to the Pacific Northwest, she spent 10 years working with Dr. Herzing and the Wild Dolphin Project studying dolphins in the Bahamas.

In 2014 Dr. Elliser founded Pacific Mammal Research to study harbor porpoises and harbor seals in the Salish Sea. Her research focuses on using photo-identification and behavioral observations to understand the behavioral ecology, social structure and foraging ecology of individuals and populations.

Since 2023 Dr. Elliser is also the Associate Director of the Salish Sea Institute (SSI), part of Western Washington University. SSI focuses on the transboundary nature of the Salish Sea, helping to share knowledge and make connections across borders and disciplines to protect this unique ecosystem. Through teaching, presentations, supporting research, producing reports, convening workshops and outreach events, SSI works to raise awareness about this shared, connected ecosystem and how we can work together to protect it.

12/28/2025

2026 RICHARD E. FITZNER MEMORIAL
Scholarship Application
GREAT NEWS! DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JANUARY 31, 2026

Applications for the Fitzner Scholarship are due by January 31, 2026! If you are considering submitting an application, there is still time!!!!

The Richard E. Fitzner Memorial Scholarship Fund provides up to $3,000 toward tuition for wildlife-oriented biology students during their junior or senior year. The fund honors the memory of the late Dick Fitzner, a wildlife biologist, educator, artist, hunter, fisherman, naturalist, and past president of the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society (https://watws.wildapricot.org/grow/scholarships).

Please follow this link (https://forms.gle/ZLLqq4tYbP2wpWiM9) for further information and the application form.

Please submit your questions to the attention of Merci Clinton, Scholarship Committee Chair at [email protected]

Home of WA-TWS, the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society (WATWS.org).

12/20/2025

Want to be on the Executive Board of the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society or know someone who would?

Nominations are now OPEN! Please submit by February 1, 2026.

This year’s election of new board members for our chapter is approaching, and we are excited to open the call for applications for Vice President, Secretary, and two Board Member positions.

Serving on the Executive Board of the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society (WATWS) is a fantastic way to develop your leadership skills and is a fun, meaningful way to engage in The Wildlife Society. The Board is a group united by their passion for wildlife, friendliness, and enthusiasm. Whether you are early in your career or well established, you will have support as you grow your professional skills, network with fellow wildlifers in our region, and make a difference in the profession.

Available Positions

Vice President (4‑year leadership track)
The Vice President’s duties are assigned by the President and include:

- Assisting with development and upkeep of the Chapter website and page
- Chairing the Election Committee
- Supporting the President‑Elect in planning and coordinating upcoming Annual Conferences
- This position follows a structured leadership progression: Vice President → President‑Elect → President → Past President. The first year focuses on shadowing the President‑Elect to learn the Annual Conference planning process, ensuring strong preparation before stepping into the lead role.

Secretary (2-year term)
The Secretary is responsible for maintaining Chapter files and records, assisting the Treasurer with keeping member financial records accurate, recording minutes for all meetings, managing correspondence, and issuing meeting minutes. In the Secretary’s absence, another Executive Board member may record minutes.

Board Members (two positions, 2-year terms)
Board Members support committees and other activities based on interest and availability. Time commitment varies by involvement, with the busiest period typically occurring in winter around the Annual Conference.

How to Apply
If you are interested in any of these leadership roles, please contact Nominations Committee Chair James Butch at [email protected]. The committee is happy to help you craft a short biography (one to two paragraphs) for inclusion in the ballot.

Here is an excerpt from our chapter’s bylaws that describe the President, President Elect, Vice President positions (https://watws.org/resources/Elections/2026%20WATWS%20Execu%20Board%20Nominations_Clause%20A-C.pdf).

We encourage you to consider stepping forward—your voice, experience, and passion strengthen our chapter and the broader wildlife community

All board members must be paid members of TWS and WATWS.

Please submit your nomination by the close of
business February 1, 2026!

12/06/2025

JOINT ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE!
https://watws.org/event-6255457
April 6-9, 2026, in Wenatchee, WA

Please join us for the Joint Annual Conference hosted by the Washington Chapter of The Wildlife Society (WATWS) and Washington-British Columbia Chapter of The American Fisheries Society (WA-BC AFS).