Abstracts

Path Analysis/Structural Equation Models.  Thomas Riecke, Tuesday, March 4^th 9am – 3pm (lunch provided) Click here to register!

Cost: $35 regular, $15 student/retiree;  Limit: 50

Ecological systems are complex and interconnected. This often creates collinearity among covariates, leading to challenges in conservation decision making. As a specific example, peaks in abundance of a harvested species might result in density-dependent effects as well as liberalized harvest regulations, creating confounding between the effects of harvest and density-dependence. Structural equation models are exceptionally useful for resolving this type of uncertainty. SEMs allow researchers to construct models with multiple ‘response’ variables, and estimate direct and indirect effects of covariates on parameters of interest. This workshop will give a broad overview of the foundations of structural equation modelling. In the morning, we’ll outline the theory underlying path analysis (Layton-Matthews et al. [2024] Journal of Animal Ecology), latent variables (Grace et al. [2010] Ecological Monographs), and cross-lags (Van de Pol & Brouwer [2021] Journal of Animal Ecology). We’ll then devote the afternoon to application using packages such as ‘piecewiseSEM’ and ‘lavaan,’ and also provide a brief tutorial on the construction of SEMs using Bayesian software.

**Some experience with R and/or regression will be highly beneficial (necessary) for the afternoon component. 

Nature Journaling.  Rebecca Newton, Tuesday, March 4^th  10am – 12pm  Click here to register!

Cost: $35 regular, $15 student/retiree; Limit 30

Nature journaling is a great way to enrich skills of observation, curiosity, and awareness. This practice has been employed for centuries by naturalists, scientists, and artists. Nature journaling is an accessible practice requiring only basic tools and a sense of curiosity. No previous art experience necessary! In this workshop we will explore several formats for nature journaling, practice approaching subjects with guiding questions, and document observations using combinations of words, symbols, numbers, and pictures. Instruction will cover techniques for sketching and recording observations in the field, and in-class sketching exercises. This will be an interactive class in which attendees will actively participate and carry out real-time exercises. Basic supplies will be provided. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own notebook or sketchbook and wet/dry media if they prefer.

Science-based self-care: How modern neuroscience informs whole-health practices to balance work, life, and relationships that won’t burn you out!  Anna Rapson, Tuesday, March 4^th 3pm – 5pm.  Click here to register!

Cost: $25 regular, $10 student/retiree;  Limit: 50

Learning to manage our stress and care for ourselves is essential to staying engaged with what we value and care about. Yet, how do we do so when there’s already so much to fit in? Sustaining a work-life balance can be difficult, and managing stress healthily can be even more challenging.

Since we can’t always change what’s happening around us, we can learn to change how we relate to what’s happening inside us. Our thoughts, emotions, and sensations are data for how we respond (or react!) to external circumstances.

Neuroplasticity confirms we can adjust maladaptive patterns and rewire our brains in a way that best serves our physical, emotional, and mental health. Adaptive strategies can replace problematic or unhelpful patterns with repetitive practice. Psychoneuroimmunology and interpersonal neurobiology emphasize the importance of paying mindful attention to the inner workings of how we move through pleasant, neutral and unpleasant experiences.

This workshop will incorporate modern neuroscience and the science of mindfulness to inform practical, evidence-based applications for managing stress, creating time for worthwhile self-care, and improving intra- and interpersonal relating. In it, we will cover:

• “Psychological safety” – what it is, why it’s essential, and how to create it for a functional (vs. dysfunctional) workplace
• How to cope in the midst of feeling anxious, or even powerless, over what’s outside of your control
• What are mind states and what is essence?
• Renouncing “judging, comparing, and fixing” mind states
• Attending to your well-being from the inside out
• Revisiting imposter syndrome – how to work with self-doubt and/or comparative judgement
• Relational health in tense settings
• Identifying, interrupting, and changing patterns that contribute to frustration or unease

No annoying or awkward icebreakers included! Ultimately, the purpose of this workshop is to empower you to experience greater satisfaction in the interconnection of your professional and personal lives.

Conservation Policy.  Charlie Booher and Hannah Downey, Wednesday, March 5^th  8am – 12pm  Click here to register!

Cost: $35 regular, $15 student/retiree; Limit 30

Many wildlife students still don’t have an opportunity to take a policy class. Those who do have the opportunity typically experience either a recitation of agency structure, enabling legislation, and treaties, or a collection of stories from folks who have worked in the business of wildlife policy for some time. While both are valuable, we aim to offer guidance on how to understand and influence formal and informal policy in all its forms (private, public, local, corporate, state, federal, etc.).

Montana’s 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan: Partner Input on Threats and Conservation Actions.  Kimberly Szcodronski and Kristina Smucker, Wednesday, March 5^th  9am – 12pm  Click here to register!

Cost: $10; Limit 50

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is leading efforts to revise Montana’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which is due to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2025. SWAPs identify Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats, describe threats that impact those species and habitats, and identify conservation actions to address those threats. We are striving for Montana’s SWAP to be a collaborative effort that helps to inform conservation work for all partners who work on wildlife and habitat conservation in Montana. To accomplish that, we are engaging with our conservation partners between December 2024 and August 2025 by providing draft SWAP products that are ready for review and feedback. We would like to use the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society conference as an opportunity to meet in-person with our partners. In this workshop, we will: 1) update partners on our progress on the SWAP revision, 2) provide an overview of threats and conservation actions in the SWAP, and 3) form breakout groups to review and update the threats and conservation actions.