Wildlife biologists play a key role in the preservation and management of wildlife. We also conduct surveys to determine the potential for sensitive species to occur to support development. These studies are used by land managers, resource agencies, and consultants in the evaluation of impacts associated with infrastructure projects. This session focuses on how to ethically balance advocacy for the species, the client, and compliance with environmental laws. consequences that affect projects or studies when critical mistakes are made in the field, in the data analysis, or the conclusions presented in a report. We will discuss how these errors often accumulate or are compounded overtime, where they often occur, and how they should be remedied when discovered. More importantly, we will highlight methods that should be used when planning and conducting field work, how to support your conclusions, and how to prepare legally defensible documents.

David Wyatt: Many new college students start their educational journeys being undecided about their career and educational goals. The ability to “explore” courses in numerous subject areas can serve as gateway events that result in career determinations for many students, for example students that “discover” biology as a career pathway. The Community Colleges offer such opportunities at an affordable price-point and also provide career advancement opportunities for college graduates and current professionals through academic and career education programs and courses. Students can readily pick and choose courses they wish to take whether it is an entire transfer-track program culminating in university degree(s), a career-education Certificate, or single- or multiple-courses intended for professional training and advancement.

Julie Vance:  During its early years, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) was focused on enforcing fishing and hunting laws and stocking fish. Over the past 150 years, the role and priorities of CDFW have expanded towards a focus on conservation and science, with some recent periods of intense change within the organization. With this expansion in focus comes an increased diversity of career opportunities for biologists and other scientists. To be effective in this diverse conservation space, regular communication and collaboration with other state scientists, federal agency partners, non-profit organizations, and consulting firm scientists is essential.   

Linda Leeman Abstract:  Numerous environmental laws were passed in the US from the late 1960s to early 1980s. In a broad sense, the purpose of these laws is to protect human health and the environment, and they reflect society’s value of the natural world. Since enactment of these laws, careers for wildlife biologists have expanded from management of game species for consumptive use to a myriad of other options, including conservation biologist, restoration ecologist, regulatory specialist, environmental consultant, academic researcher, policy advocate, and more. Potential employers include federal, state, or local governments, universities, nonprofit organizations, zoos and museums, and private companies. Regardless of career track or employer, environmental laws shape the wildlife biology profession. Therefore, understanding the laws is essential to a successful career, and yet, most academic programs do not provide adequate course material on the topic. While environmental laws are not perfectly written or implemented, they are one of the most important tools to achieving conservation outcomes. The presentation will explore the different roles for biologists in implementation of environmental laws and compliance and the importance of collaboration between professionals to achieve successful wildlife conservation.

Eric C. Hansen Abstract: Traditional pathways in wildlife research often are associated with institutional platforms such as agencies, academia, and NGOs, yet vital information is produced in the private sector that can contribute significantly to the body of knowledge required for successful resource management and conservation. Unfortunately, this information frequently is relegated to gray literature unavailable to the public or else is limited in scope due to project constraints. While core research through the private sector is perhaps less common, the ability to specialize in particular areas of expertise, to understand the regulatory nuances to conservation in a particular system, access to institutional knowledge held by other involved in the system, and relationships with other private sector specialists provide an excellent foundation for developing research questions and programs that contribute to regulatory and resource decision making. This presentation will address the importance of collaboration and potential pathways to developing, funding, and publishing research in the private sector and how the knowledge gained through this experience can be passed on to students in developing careers.

Stephanie Parsons started her a career as wildlife biologist working at a nonprofit organization which evolved from a focus on wildlife biology to regulatory compliance working for private firms and ultimately to creating an independent consulting firm. Her career path did not start with a clearly defined path. Rather it started from a passion for the natural environment and took a course that involved taking risks and moving into the unknown. She worked for many organizations within the same industry, with varying levels of responsibility and opportunities, that diversified and improved her skill set as an environmental professional. She learned to adjust her goals and preferences and embrace a mode of learning that shaped and defined her career goals and vision for life.

A Question & Answer Session will follow Stephanie's presentation.