From the ACting President
2021 has been a difficult year for many, and we were really hoping to bring the AWMS community together for a face-to-face conference this year. Unfortunately, with the ongoing lockdowns and travel restrictions we had no option but to switch to an online event. Like last year though, we have a large number of talks and it will be great to see everyone online. Thanks to the conference organising committee for their ability to adapt to the changing circumstances.
The AWMS committee initiated a members survey this year because we are keen to hear your thoughts on the future directions for AWMS. The survey is still open and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Please take the time to fill in the survey if you haven’t already done so.
We have also added a new page to the AWMS website listing relevant Public Enquiries. Please let us know if there is a relevant enquiry that AWMS members may wish to comment on. Of particular interest, the Draft Kosciuszko National Park wild horse heritage management plan is now open for public consultation until the 2nd November.
AWMS has several position statements on topical issues related to wildlife management.
These position statements are drafted with input from AWMS members, but I would like to see AWMS become a more vocal advocate on public issues related to wildlife management. To aid this, the AWMS committee may seek input from members with specific expertise to help draft letters or submissions to public enquiries. The committee would also welcome members thoughts on particular issues of concern that could use support from AWMS, i.e. via a letter. Please get in contact if so.
At the AGM this year several positions on the AWMS executive committee are up for re-election. In fact, every position except secretary is open for re-election in 2021!
Please do reach out if you are interested in any positions and supporting the mission of AWMS by being on the committee.
Every year AWMS gives out awards to members to further their careers and to acknowledge their contribution to the field of wildlife management. Thanks to those who applied for awards already this year, and please do take advantage of the awards we have on offer.
See you all online at the conference!
Wishing you all the best.
Thomas Newsome
34th AWMS conference -
Biodiversity Management and Climate Change
07-09 December 2021
This year's conference will be online and you can be part of it.
There will be more than 80 talks from Wildlife Managers in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The conference will feature symposia on the following topics:
- Climate Change, Water and Wildlife Management
- Managing Wildlife across Landscapes in a Changing Climate
- New Genomic Approaches to Improving Wildlife Management
- Innovations in Kangaroo Management
- The Land manager/Practitioner symposium
- Open Symposium on Wildlife Management
There are several ways to participate at the AWMS2021 conference.
Register as delegate to learn about projects and research, and network with other professionals in the wildlife management field, or promote your company or organisation with one of our sponsorship packages or take part in the trade exhibition.
Last year the AWMS online conference attracted over 300 delegates from the Australasian region, with members from Australia, New Zealand, and around the world, all with a common interest, wildlife management.
One of the aims of AWMS is to promote the use of science to identify appropriate wildlife management principles and practices, develop plans of management, and to implement and review these plans within a social, environmental, economic and political context. AWMS members include research scientists, educators, wildlife managers, and extension, interpretation and policy professionals.
For more information on the conference, how to participate, student prizes and subsidies, and how to register please visit our conference website or contact the conference organiser.
We sincerely hope that you will consider joining us at this year’s AWMS conference and look forward to seeing you there!
Meet the AWMS Conference organisers
Konnie Gebauer - Conference Liaison Officer
Konnie is an Ecologist currently working as Technical Officer with the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group at the University of Sydney. After completing her PhD at Otago University, NZ in Ecology and a postdoc at Hannover University, GER, she moved to Australia in 2013 where she has worked in a number of wildlife management and bush regeneration projects. As AWMS Conference Liaison Officer Konnie has been organising the annual AWMS conferences since 2015.
Jim Hone - Head of the Local Organiser Conference Committee
Jim is a wildlife ecologist with a keen interest in how wildlife populations go up and down over time and how much we attribute those changes to people. This provides an opportunity to evaluate ecological, epidemiological and economic theory with field data. I have studied wildlife, by myself and with others, in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Britain. Currently our team is examining the philosophical and practical aspects of inferring cause and effect in wildlife management. AWMS is a great forum for discussing such topics because of its mix of wildlife scientists and managers.
committee POSITIONS available
This year a number of Committee positions will open for nomination. The AWMS Committee encourages members to consider supporting their Society by nominating for a position. Anyone considering a position on the Committee will require a member to nominate them and an additional member to second that nomination. Full details will be provided closer to the conference. All positions are two year term and current holders of the positions can re-nominate. Positions up for nomination are:
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Committee Member
- Committee Member
- Committee Member
- Committee Member
- Media and Newsletter
- Position Statement Coordinator
- Student Representative (Aus)
- Student Representative (NZ)
- SAWMA Representative
AWMS has a wide range of awards available for its members. Head to our website for more information.
Please note that for some awards you will have to be a member for a specific period of time before you can apply.
Practitioner Award - to recognise those practitioners implementing outstanding wildlife management in their field
D.W.Cooper Student Thesis Award - for a thesis of excellence within the field of scientifically-based wildlife management research
Postgraduate Research Award - to facilitate postgraduate student (Masters and PhD) research associated with the scientific management of wildlife
Honours and Undergraduate Travel Award - to facilitate tertiary (undergraduate and Honours) student involvement in the range of fields associated with the scientific management of wildlife
Braysher Management Fund - to support studies and other initiatives that address practical (rather than theoretical) wildlife management problems where community involvement is fundamental to the success of the programme.
Best Student Presentation and Poster - At the annual AWMS conference all students can be judged in the 'Best Student Presentation and Poster'. Entry is not compulsory.