For all workshops: Please wear appropriate attire for the workshop you are
attending. Thigh waders are recommended for water workshops. For any other
workshop, we recommend rubber closed-toe boots or other field boots, long
pants, and warm clothes as most workshops are outdoors.
1. The bigger the beard, the bigger the gobble (Wild Turkey Workshop)
Lead by Derek Alkire National Wild Turkey Federation Conservation Field Manager
Are you interested in learning more about turkeys? We will walk through the history of the wild
turkey from near extinction to the thriving population we see today. We will discuss the
differences between the sub-species of wild turkeys across the country as well as their
morphological characteristics. From there we will dive into the biology and life history of wild
turkeys. In addition, we will take a look at turkey habitat needs and proper management
techniques looking at everything from timber thinning and prescribed fire to food plots. We will
round out the workshop with a review of turkey vocalizations and turkey hunting techniques.
Field clothes recommended.
2. Dude, you’ve got a dart in your neck (Chemical Immobilization Workshop)
Lead by Dr. Jessica Tegt Mississippi State University Professor
In this workshop learn how to safely capture, immobilize, and handle large mammals. This
workshop gives you the basics of the chemical immobilization process including drug types and
mixtures, delivery methods, and safe monitoring and measuring of immobilized animals. Field
clothes recommended.
3. I like big bats and I cannot lie, Oh and the little ones are cute too (Bats on the Landscape)
Lead by Scott Veum, Jr. Mississippi State University Graduate Student
This workshop will provide a hands-on experience to investigate the tools used to observe bats
on the landscape while learning the unique life histories of various species. Participants will
explore both passive and active monitoring techniques and be given opportunities to identify
bats using dichotomous keys and analyze ultrasonic echolocation recordings. Participants will
also receive hands-on assembly and deployment instructions with various traps and acoustic
monitors. Additionally, radio-telemetry techniques will be demonstrated. The goal of this
workshop is to highlight bat conservation and the foundational techniques needed to effectively
and efficiently monitor bat populations.
4. Save water it doesn’t grow on trees (Water Quality Monitoring Techniques)
Lead by Dr. Beth Baker Mississippi State University Assistant Extension Professor
This workshop will give participants an over view of regional and national water resource issues,
the need for water quality protection, and demonstrate techniques used in measuring water
quality. The workshop will be split into three components. The first portion of the workshop will
be held in the classroom to get everyone up to speed on relevant information and methods; the
second part of the workshop will be walking through sample collection methods and how to use
in-situ equipment to monitor water quality in the field; in the third and final portion of the
workshop we will be in the Water Quality Lab on the MSU campus to learn basic skills in water
quality analysis.
5. You quack me up (Waterfowl Banding and Wetland Ecology)
Lead by Dr. Brian Davis Mississippi State University Professor and Joe Lancaster Mississippi
State University Graduate Student
This workshop will demonstrate waterfowl banding techniques, aspects of moist-soil
management, and duck identification. Attendants will also be given the opportunity to visit
wood duck nest houses. Activities will occur at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife
Refuge in east-central Mississippi with faculty, students, and biologists from Mississippi State
University and the Noxubee Refuge. Field clothes recommended.
6. Don’t punch a kangaroo, they punch back (Human Wildlife Conflict)
Lead by Dr. Kristina Godwin APHIS USDA
This workshop will demonstrate a number of techniques used to assess human/wildlife conflict
situations. Techniques such as using animal deterrents on airports to decrease human/wildlife
conflicts, trapping aquatic pests in areas of concern, terrestrial mammal trapping and wildlife
disease surveillance. This may include a possibility of a feral swine demonstration. Field clothes
recommended.
7. I hope I didn’t ruffle your feathers (Song-bird Banding)
Lead by Jared Feura Mississippi State University Graduate Student
This workshop will demonstrate techniques used in capturing and banding song birds. A short
lecture about bird banding and bird identification will be included. Mist nets and other
equipment may be used to capture song birds located on the campus of Mississippi State
University. Field clothes recommended.
8. I guess you could say I was pine-ing for your attention (Pine Ecology and Wildlife Plant
Identification)
Lead by Dr. Marcus Lashley Mississippi State University Professor
This workshop will discuss open pine ecosystem dynamics in regards to historical fire and
herbivory disturbances. There will also be a comparison and contrast of southern pine forest
management strategies to maximize timber production and to maximize game and nongame
habitats. Also, visits to multiple forest stands will take place to demonstrate habitat responses
to forest management strategies and wildlife responses. We will also have the opportunity to
identify and discuss native and nonnative plants, and wildlife plantings. Field clothes
recommended.
9. I’m dying to hear more (Necropsy)
Lead by Tim Morgan DVM, PhD, DACVP
The necropsy laboratory will take place on the campus of Mississippi State University at the
College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory Necropsy facility. There will be a
demonstration/participation laboratory during which a necropsy will be performed on a white
tailed deer. The lab will include necropsy technique, proper sample collection methods, and
information on how to report necropsy findings. Participants will need to wear coveralls that
can be easily washed and rubber boots. Plastic booties will be available if needed. Knives,
gloves, safety goggles, and other necropsy equipment will be provided. If you have a latex
allergy, please be leery that latex is present in the facility and on the necropsy floor. Due to the
nature of the lab, there is a likelihood of blood and other fluid staining whatever clothes worn in
the lab, so a separate set of clothing to change into after the lab and a plastic bag to carry the
soiled clothes in is recommended. Rubber boots must be changed out of before leaving the
necropsy lab, so street shoes should be brought as well.
10. Don’t be mean, be above the average (Program R)
Lead by Dr. Garrett Street Mississippi State University Assistant Professor
In recent years, Program R has emerged as the software package of choice for many practicing
wildlife biologists across all career stages and in both academic and government positions. In
the workshop, participants will be introduced to Program R and the R Studio programming
environment. Students will use a combination of traditional lecture and hands-on, problemdriven learning modules to develop an understanding of programming first principles: command
entry, data types and manipulation, and functions. Then, using real ecological datasets,
students will learn how to graphically display data using both basic and advanced plotting
functionality, and will conduct guided analyses using t-tests, Analysis of Variance, correlation,
and regression.
11. Meet tiny he’s my newt (Herpetology)
Lead by Dr. Scott Rush Mississippi State University Assistant Professor
This demonstration will take place in the field where techniques used in catching, handling, and
searching for amphibians and reptiles will be demonstrated. This will also focus primarily on
inventory and monitoring procedures for multiple species of herptiles. Field clothes
recommended.
12. All about the Millennial Falcon (Falconry)
Lead by Carson Kitaif Mississippi State University Student
Falconry is known as the “Sport of Kings” around the globe. The art of falconry is a hunting
tradition defined as ‘taking quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of trained birds of
prey’. In our workshop, we will be exploring the history of falconry, the current ranking class
system for falconers in the United States, and a short demonstration will be provided. Questions
will be taken at the end for those who have any questions regarding falconry.
13. I find this one to be quite ribbiting (Amphibians)
Lead by Allison Julien Mississippi State University Graduate Student
Due to factors such as climate change, disease, and human interference, we are experiencing an
amphibian extinction crisis on a global scale. Captive breeding programs have been
implemented in various institutions as a way of stemming this amphibian decline through means
of natural and artificial reproduction. Means of artificial reproduction include hormone
injections and in-vitro fertilization. In this workshop, you will experience a hands-on
introduction to artificial amphibian reproduction and the necessity of captive breeding
programs.
14. From Heron out, I’m going to live my life with no Egrets (Rookery Viewing)
Lead by Dr. Steve Reagan Noxubee Wildlife Refuge Manager
The Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge hosts four rookeries used by wading
birds. Within these sites more than 60,000 birds can be found including Great Blue Heron,
Black-crowned Night-Heron, White Ibis, and Snowy Egret to name a few species. One of these
nesting sites is observable from the refuge's Bluff Lake Boardwalk with the others located in
more remote areas of the lake. Participants will be given a close up view of these sites the learn
more about the web of life connected to these locations. Field clothes recommended.
15. In the woods with a bunch of head bangers (Red-cockaded Woodpecker)
Lead by Amber Owen Mississippi State Student and Noxubee Wildlife Refuge Employee
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a federally listed species. The Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee
National Wildlife Refuge hosts more than 30 groups of these woodpeckers. Participants will
have the opportunity to interact with an employee of the Refuge and learn what it means to
manage for this unique resident species. This will be a unique opportunity to see and hear these
birds in their native environment. Field clothes recommended.
16. I’d be otterly lost without GIS (GIS for Natural Resource Management)
Lead by Dr. David Evans Mississippi State University Professor
This workshop gives an overview of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This is followed by
hands-on exercises in basic GIS use including: displaying and symbolizing data sets, basic
geospatial data query, simple map creation, and creating/editing new datasets.
17. I’m quite fawned of you, my deer (Deer Research Facility Workshop)
Lead by Dan Morina Mississippi State University Graduate Student and Rusty Hawkins
Memorial Deer Unit Manager
This workshop will include a tour of the Deer Research Facility. Current research activities taking
place will be highlighted. This workshop will also include instruction in wildlife capture
techniques, aging by tooth wear and replacement, and antler/horn scoring. Be prepared for
moderate hiking. Field clothes recommended.
18. Why do people preserve land? Because they can. (Tour of Prairie Wildlife Preserve)
Lead by Dr. Wes Burger Mississippi State University Professor and Forest and Wildlife Research
Center Director
Dr. Wes Burger has been conducting research on wildlife in agricultural systems for 30 years.
Since most wildlife species live on private land, successful conservation must include methods to
engage private landowners. This workshop will highlight a myriad of conservation practices that
can promote wildlife and protect natural resources, like soil and water, while still allowing for
commodity production and wildlife recreation. This is a great field-based learning activity for
those interested in private land management. Field clothes recommended.
19. May the forest be with you (TENATIVE- Project Learning Tree Workshop)
Lead by Zach Pardue
Project Learning Tree (PLT) uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase students’
understanding of the environment and actions they can take to improve them. PLT provides
educators with curriculum, professional development, and resources to integrate environmental
education into lesson plans of all grades and subject areas, and to use the outdoors to engage
students in learning about the world around them. PLT teaches students how to think, not what
to think about complex environmental issues, and helps them acquire the skills they need to
make informed choices about the environment. Developed in 1976, PLT’s 50-state network
includes more than 500,000 trained educators funding PLT materials that cover the total
environment and more than 2,000 PLT Green Schools. This workshop will include a certification
that is great on a résumé. This is also a TENATIVE workshop, based on how many participants
are interested. There is a $20.00 fee for the workshop that is not included in the registration
cost and may be paid at the registration table. The cost of the workshop MAY be covered by
Mississippi State University’s Chapter of the Wildlife Society after deliberation on the subject
has concluded.