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| New England Chapter of The Wildlife Society | |
|---|---|
| Name | New England Chapter of The Wildlife Society |
| Type | Professional society |
| Location | New England, United States |
| Formation | 1970s |
| Headquarters | New England |
| Leader title | President |
New England Chapter of The Wildlife Society The New England Chapter of The Wildlife Society is a regional professional association for wildlife biologists, conservationists, and resource managers operating in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It provides networking, professional development, and policy guidance aligning with national bodies such as The Wildlife Society and interfaces with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state fish and wildlife agencies. The chapter engages with academic institutions including University of Connecticut, University of Maine, and University of Massachusetts Amherst and partners with conservation NGOs like The Nature Conservancy and National Audubon Society.
The chapter was established amid regional conservation movements influenced by federal acts such as the Endangered Species Act and collaborations with entities like National Park Service, New England Aquarium, and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Early milestones paralleled initiatives by Rachel Carson-era advocates and organizations like Sierra Club and Greenpeace USA. The group has historically convened at venues tied to institutions such as Bowdoin College, Colby College, University of New Hampshire, and Yale University and has intersected with regional planning bodies like the Appalachian Mountain Club and New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
Governance follows a chapter model similar to The Wildlife Society and other professional societies such as American Fisheries Society and Society for Conservation Biology. Leadership roles include president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, with committees reflecting priorities of agencies like U.S. Geological Survey and foundations such as MacArthur Foundation. The chapter coordinates with state commissions including Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and aligns ethics and standards influenced by bodies like Society of American Foresters and accreditation norms linked to Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education programs.
Members range from students at institutions like University of Rhode Island, Boston University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute to professionals from Natural Resources Conservation Service and consultants formerly with firms such as Tetra Tech and AECOM. Membership categories mirror those of national societies including student, professional, emeritus, and affiliate, and chapters often coordinate with regional groups like Northeast Natural History Conference and state wildlife societies. The chapter maintains liaison with international organizations such as IUCN and networks with local land trusts including Massachusetts Audubon Society and Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
Regular activities include annual conferences that host plenaries, symposia, and workshops featuring speakers from Cornell University, Dartmouth College, and Harvard University; field tours to sites like Cape Cod National Seashore, Acadia National Park, and Quabbin Reservoir; and certification programs akin to Certified Wildlife Biologist credentials. The chapter runs continuing-education sessions referencing methods from USGS protocols and collaborates on invasive species programs with Fish and Wildlife Service initiatives and regional campaigns like New England Governor's Conference workshops. It has organized joint events with groups such as Wildlife Conservation Society and Defenders of Wildlife.
The chapter promotes peer-reviewed research and technical reports drawing on faculty at University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont, and Maine Maritime Academy as well as state research programs like Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries studies. Publications have included conference proceedings, position statements, and white papers addressing topics covered by journals such as Journal of Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, and Ecological Applications. Research collaborations have linked with federal labs like USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and international programs coordinated through BirdLife International and World Wildlife Fund.
Conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration in partnerships with The Nature Conservancy, migratory bird protections aligned with Migratory Bird Treaty Act, wetland conservation working with Environmental Protection Agency regional offices, and connectivity projects referencing corridors such as the Appalachian Trail and Atlantic Flyway. The chapter has advised on management plans for species including Bald eagle, Atlantic salmon, Eastern brook trout, and Piping plover and engaged in policy dialogues with bodies like New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission and state legislative committees. Collaborative restoration projects have involved stakeholders such as NOAA Fisheries and tribal partners represented by groups like the Wabanaki Confederacy.
Outreach includes student mentoring, scholarships tied to universities like University of Massachusetts Amherst, teacher training workshops resembling programs by Smithsonian Institution, and public lectures hosted with museums such as Museum of Science (Boston) and Peabody Museum of Natural History. The chapter supports K–12 curriculum initiatives similar to those developed by National Science Teachers Association and partners on citizen-science programs with platforms like eBird and organizations like Massachusetts Audubon Society and Audubon Connecticut. The chapter engages media outreach through collaborations with outlets including NPR, The Boston Globe, and regional science communicators at WGBH.
Category:Conservation in New England