The Marten

Presidents Report
Joel Thompson

Another field season has come and gone. By now, folks are already planning for next year’s projects. As a chapter, we are doing the same. We currently have a dedicated board, which has worked hard to keep our local chapter alive and active in recent years. It is great to maintain long-term involvement from individuals, but there is always the down side that folks tend to get burned out if they are committed for extended periods. As is always the case, dedicated new recruits are always hard to come by. As a group, the board members are busy with careers and trying to keep moving forward on chapter sponsored workshops and events. Because of this, efforts to recruit new people into more active roles are always lacking. As current president and membership committee chair, I would like to encourage anyone who is willing or wants to be more involved to follow-up with a board member and not wait to be asked for help. I have been involved with the CNCC-TWS for many years now, in one-way or another, and it has been a great way to get involved with biologists outside of my immediate working circle. Being involved doesn’t mean that one has to dedicate countless hours of valuable time to the chapter (unless, of course you want to). The reality is that only a few hours a month are required to keep things moving forward. I would like to encourage others to get involved and help further the efforts of our local chapter. The north coast has many great biologists that have much to contribute to the local biological community. It is through the eyes of a diverse group of active members that the chapter can develop a better vision of how to serve the biologists of Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte counties. Having folks from various disciplines and working circles is the only way that our local chapter can promote and serve the needs of our highly diverse north coast.

As a side note, I would like to say thanks to Dave Nielsen for his past commitment to the chapter. Dave has served as our Treasurer for the past 2 years and has always been an active member of the chapter and the local biological community. Dave’s tour of duty as Treasurer will come to an end on December 31. This is good timing, as Dave will be retiring and leaving the north coast for new haunts in the Puget Sound region. We all wish Dave the best and thank him for his service.

Treasurer’s Report
David Nielsen

The Chapter’s finances have improved significantly during the current year. The Chapter started out 2005 with $13,631.18 in the checking account and with total assets of $18,732.75. Our assets included a $5,000 loan to Section that the Board approved in 2004 when the Section was experiencing severe financial difficulties. During 2005, the Section paid back half of their loan ($2,500) and as of this date, the Chapter now has $20,094.06 in the checking account and total assets of $22,710.63.

I want to thank all of you for the opportunity to serve as Treasurer during the last two years. Serving on the Board has been an eye-opener and everyone who is so inclined should try it at least once. I’ve been especially impressed by how much time some of your Board members devote to Chapter business, especially setting up workshops and traveling to out of town TWS meetings. Unfortunately, I will not be running for re-election because I don’t expect to be around for a full two-year term. My wife and I recently purchased a log cabin in the woods on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound and we expect to be heading in that direction sometime after she retires next year. There’s a quarter mile trail from our cabin to Madison Bay where I’ll be walking the dog each morning while you carry on without me. I wish all of you good fortune in the upcoming years.

2006 Election of CNCC TWS Board Members

Elections for the 2006 Executive Board will take place at the Winter Mixer to be held on December 2, 2005. The following people have thrown their collective hats into the ring and will be running for board positions in 2006. Individuals interested in running for one of the vacant positions, should contact a board member as soon as possible.
Click here for list of board members

President
Lisa Ollivier

My experience over the past 16 years at the Redwood Sciences Lab has included continuation of studies on amphibian life history, habitat associations, protocol development for sampling and surveying, and statistical analyses on a wide array of species and issues: spotted owls habitat use and response to noise, small mammal response to prairie burns, roadway crossing issues and solutions, to name a few. I graduated from Humboldt State University in 1989 with a B.S. in Wildlife Management. I have currently completed coursework and data collection for a M.S. in Wildlife Management. Throughout this time I have been active with the North Coast Chapter TWS as a mentor, in putting on workshops and conferences, and in assisting students to attend the Western Section TWS annual conferences. I look forward to continuing to provide support and energy to the North Coast Chapter and would appreciate the opportunity to play a larger role in keeping the North Coast Chapter going strong.

President Elect
Ahmed Soliman

I am an Environmental Scientist with the Department of Fish and Game. I have a B.S. in Biology/Ecology from Cal State Fresno. Before Fish and Game I worked for Caltrans and the Endangered Species Recovery Program. I have been a member of the TWS since 1998. Living in Southern California limited my active involvement with TWS due to the inactivity of the Southern California Chapter. I moved to the North Coast in March 2005. I have attended the majority of the board meetings and volunteered my time to assist with the Willow Flycatcher workshop and the Fisher Marten Symposium. Sitting on the board of TWS has been an ambition of mine since I first became a member. I believe I will bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the North Coast Chapter. I will work hard on organizing workshops and other chapter events that would benefit the local scientific community.

Western Section Report
Gary Falxa
Chapter Representative to the Section
November 2005

I’ll start out by encouraging chapter members to attend the Section’s annual conference, which will be next February 8-10 in Sacramento, at the DoubleTree. The conference is a great opportunity to stay abreast of current wildlife research and management in our area, and to network with other wildlife professionals and students. Find details and registration forms at the Section’s website: http://www.tws-west.org/

In addition to the regular meeting, the Section’s offering several pre-conference workshops on afternoon of February 8, at low cost. Workshop topics include: Wildlife Management and Research Funding; Wildlife Interactions with Energy Facilities (think wind power) Technologies for Assessing and Monitoring Wildlife Populations; and Wildlife Biologist Certification Workshop.

Also prior to the annual conference will be a symposium on “Fisher and Marten in California, Moving Science and Management Forward”. The symposium is jointly sponsored by the Chapter and Section, and will be February 7-8 just prior to the annual conference, at the DoubleTree. The 1½ day event will provide updates on research and management efforts, and the status of these species in California. Martens and fishers are of high management and research interest in our area. The fisher is a candidate for listing under the federal ESA, and northwest California supports the largest fisher population in the Pacific states. Our area also supports the rare Humboldt marten, about which we are starting to learn more. This is a unique chance to learn about these species from the experts, and to participate in a dialogue among wildlife managers, researchers, and regulatory biologists about their conservation needs.

Section members can expect an election ballot by January. In addition to voting for a new president-elect for the Section, this time there will be voting to approve changes in the bylaws. The proposed bylaw changes reflect the Section’s current volunteer-based staffing, and still provide flexibility, should the Section decide to hire staff in the future. The current bylaws require a paid Executive Director, which we no longer have.

Finally, its mid-November, and I am thankful to be able to report that the Western Section has recovered from the financial crunch of 2004, and again has a healthy bank account. We can expect the section to repay the remainder of the chapter’s loan to the Section well ahead of the December 2006 deadline.

Natural Resources Communication Workshop Announced

The Natural Resources Communication Workshop, sponsored by the Western Section of The Wildlife Society, will be held at California State University, Chico from January 9-13, 2006. The week-long workshop is designed to help natural resource workers more effectively communicate with general as well as technical audiences through personal presentations using good visual aids. The workshop focuses on the use of computer-generated images (i.e., PowerPoint images). Since many of the problems in natural resources management are people-oriented, more effective communication can significantly improve many management programs. The hands-on workshop is practical-oriented and enhances participants' communication skills in planning, preparing, presenting, and evaluating presentations. A variety of topics are covered including selecting communication strategies for specific audiences, creating computer-generated graphics, and handling equipment problems. A special session entitled "Verbal Victories" provides hints for handling difficult, or even hostile, audiences.

Participants in the 2006 workshop will not only learn professional tips for using PowerPoint, but also will gain exposure to Photoshop Elements (a great photo editing program) and Photoshop Album (an invaluable digital cataloging program).

The workshop will have two instructors for 2006. Dr. Jon Hooper is a certified Wildlife Biologist and longtime member of The Wildlife Society. He has taught communication workshops for 30 years in locations around the country and holds degrees in environmental communication and wildlife ecology. Mr. Ethan Rotman works with the California Department of Fish and Game as the coordinator of the Fishing in the City program in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has over 20 years experience as an environmental interpreter and communicator.

The workshop has been sponsored by the Western Section of The Wildlife Society for 35 years. The deadline for applications is October 31, 2005; the course fee is $645. Late applications are accepted (they're placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations).

Applying for the workshop is easy. On letterhead, applicants should describe: (1) their current position within their agency/organization, (2) how they would use the training, and (3) any special reasons why they feel they should be chosen as a participant. Applicants should include their address, phone number, fax number, and email address with their application. Participation is limited to 16 people.

Submit applications to: Dr. Jon K. Hooper, Dept. Recreation and Parks Management, Calif. State University, Chico, CA 95929-0560. For more information, contact Jon by calling (530) 898-5811, faxing (530) 898-6557, or e-mailing jhooper@csuchico.edu.

Wildlife Society Hosts Willow Flycatcher Workshop
Denise Walker

The willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) is a rare to uncommon summer visitor that arrives from Central and South America mid-May to June and begins to migrate back south between August and September. During the breeding season they inhabit substantial thickets of dense willows with edges over wet meadows, ponds, slow streams and backwaters. True to their name they sally forth to catch insects from exposed perches at the top of willow thickets.

Since 1991 in California, the willow flycatcher (all subspecies) has been listed as endangered. The California Department of Fish & Game has attributed the loss and degradation of riparian habitat as the principal reason for the willow flycatcher population decline. Due to small known populations within the Sierra Nevada and Cascade regions much of the studies and management efforts have been concentrated in these areas. However, satellite detections of confirmed breeding willow flycatchers have been occurring with more frequency in northern California. Surveys within Humboldt County have detected presence and confirmed breeding pairs along the Eel, Van Duzen and Mad Rivers. Other studies have identified birds in Trinity County. These detections are raising interest in the habitat being utilized and concern for management of riparian habitat within northern California.

On September 19, 2005, the California North Coast Chapter of the Wildlife Society in conjunction with the Western Section sponsored the second Willow Flycatcher Workshop: Status, Regulations and Survey Methodology for the Willow Flycatcher in North Coast California. The workshop was a one day affair with presentations held in the morning at Humboldt State University and the afternoon session regarding habitat assessment and survey protocol overview at Cock Robin Island. Special thanks go to the Chapter and Section Members Brad Valentine (California Department of Fish & Game), Rob Hewitt (LBJ Enterprises), C.J. Ralph (PSW Redwood Sciences Laboratory), and Pablo Herrera (PSW Redwood Sciences Laboratory); all of whom were valuable instructors. They presented current information on willow flycatcher identification, southern Oregon and northern California habitat characteristics, activities that the California Department of Fish & Game consider harassment, permit guidelines, and the willow flycatcher survey protocol.

The workshop was well-received by 18 participants who traveled from areas throughout northern California. Humboldt State University provided an excellent classroom facility and Cock Robin Island (owned by California Department of Fish & Game) provided an outstanding location to discuss potential willow flycatcher habitat. There was some hope of catching a glimpse of a migrating willow flycatcher during the workshop; however, due to the cold and foggy afternoon session, it seemed our timing was off for seeing any LBJ’s.

The general feedback from participants indicated that they went away well fed and with a better understanding of the survey protocol and habitat requirements for willow flycatchers in northern California. To increase our detection chances next time, we will likely conduct our field outing in the morning (perhaps during the breeding season).

Many thanks go out to the California Department of Fish & Game for access to Cock Robin Island, Humboldt State University for class room facilities, Green Diamond Resources for transportation, to all of you who helped in pulling this workshop together, John Gustafson for providing a statement from California Department of fish & Game and to all the great instructors for making this an informative interesting workshop with valuable and useful information.

Operation Migration and the Whooping Crane
Need Your Help

The following article came to us from Stephen V. Rockwood, President of the Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society. Please read about the wonderful work being done by Operation Migration on behalf of wild whooping cranes migrating between Wisconsin and Florida, and how you can help.

Every season since 2001 Operation Migration and its partners have achieved a wildlife miracle. Using our ultra light aircraft, we have taught a migration route to four generations of one of North America's rarest birds. Thanks to this small team, 42 wild Whooping cranes now migrate between Wisconsin and Florida. This fall's successful completion of a fifth migration will mean that we are half way to our goal of removing this incredible bird from the endangered species list.This year however, Operation Migration is facing its biggest challenge ever.

The great news is that we have twenty bright-eyed whooping crane chicks this year, and like energetic teenagers they are ready and anxious to fly south. We have dedicated pilots and an enthusiastic ground support team. The problem is our funds - - or should we say, the lack of funding.

When these birds hatched we had no idea what the events of 2005 would bring; the shortfall in grants; the doubling of fuel costs. Nor did we have any idea that our donation receipts "Nor did we have any idea that our donation receipts would not be able to compensate for these unexpected events.

Because this project has been such an amazing success, we thought that in addition to our long-time supporters, many new donors would rush to help.But with weather and other events elevating the need for support of many humanitarian causes, it is understandable that aid to an endangered species may have been downgraded on many people's giving list – or even left off entirely. As a result, we find ourselves with the smallest ever amount of funding to cope with the biggest and most costly year of the project to date.

At this point, with so many birds, higher expenses, and soaring fuel costs, we can only get the birds as far south as Kentucky/Tennessee before we run out of gas.....both literally and figuratively. For this reason we're writing to solicit your financial assistance.

The entire OM team is totally committed to the Whooping crane project and the 2005 Migration. Many of us are not only volunteering our equipment and expertise, we are also now donating our time in order to stave off grinding to a halt before reaching Florida.

Getting the 2005 cohort safely to Florida means the flock will be increased by a third! Whether from a foundation, corporation or individual, your contribution - small or large - is crucial to making this happen.

PLEASE be as generous as you can, and be assured your donation will help save a species. Please visit our website at: http://www.operationmigration.org/migration_map05.htm

Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force Meeting
to be held in Arcata, January 2006

The California/Nevada Chapter of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (DAPTF) is announcing its 2006 Annual Meeting, to be held in Arcata, California, 12-13 January 2006. In an attempt to help bridge the gap between research and policy, this year DAPTF has invited Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) to introduce their latest conservation efforts in the West. We will kick off with a keynote speech by J. Whitfield Gibbons and an introduction to PARC, followed by a series of research talks (submit an abstract if you wish to present your latest research, standard format). We're also planning a Thursday evening banquet and optional Saturday field trips. The meeting will be held at Humboldt State University and lodging is available nearby at a discounted rate.

This is a high-powered meeting at a low-budget rate. The registration fee is low quite low, $15 and hotel rooms can be reserved for $55 per night [North Coast Inn (707) 822-4861, mention DAPTF/HSU group rate].

To reserve a presentation slot, submit a title by November 30, full abstracts due by December 15, to:

David F. Bradford, Ph.D., Research Ecologist U.S. EPA, ORD, Landscape Ecology Branch
Email: bradford.david@epa.gov

For more information contact the local planning committee:
Don Ashton, USDA-FS Ecologist (707) 825-2984
Email: dashton@fs.fed.us

The California North Coast Chapter of The Wildlife Society