9:00-11:00

MiBCI Bird Survey Training Workshops
Michigan Marsh Bird Surveys – What are they and how can I get involved? Michael J. Monfils (Michigan Natural Features Inventory)
We will give an overview of this new marsh bird survey, including the need for and intended uses of the data.  We will explain the survey protocol, equipment needs, and reporting requirements, and distribute detailed information.  Background information about target species will also be presented.  We will ask interested participants to provide their contact information and the region(s) where they would be willing to conduct surveys.  Our goal is to provide volunteers the training they need to “get their feet wet” in this important program.

11:00-12:00

MiBCI Bird Survey Training Workshops (cont.)
Michigan Nocturnal Bird Surveys – What are they and how can I get involved? David L. Cuthrell (Michigan Natural Features Inventory)
An overview of nocturnal bird surveys will be provided.  We will also familiarize participants with the survey protocol and reporting requirements, distribute materials needed to carry out the surveys, and assign routes to volunteers.  There should be plenty of time for all your questions. Our goal is to provide the necessary training so folks will be able to hit the ground running on these important citizen science programs.

12:00-1:00

LUNCH (in the cafeteria)

1:00-3:00

Coordination/Development Subcommittee meeting

3:00-3:30

BREAK

3:30-5:00

Research/Monitoring Subcommittee meeting & Education/Outreach Subcommittee meeting

5:00-7:00

DINNER (in the cafeteria)
Catered by the Jordan Inn

7:00-10:00

SOCIAL (in the cafeteria)

9:00-10:30

Forest health symposium

9:00-9:30: A Michigan forest exotic pest update, Robert A. Haack for Roger Mech (Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment)
An overview of invasive exotic insect and diseases threatening Michigan's forest resources and the efforts underway to detect and control them:  oak wilt, beech bark disease, Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, and more.

9:30-10:00: Asian longhorned beetle and citrus longhorned beetle threaten Michigan forests, David Dehn, Jr. (US Department of Agriculture/APHIS/Plant Health, Plant Protection and Quarantine)
Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) and Citrus Longhorned Beetle (CLB) are damaging exotic beetles that have been found in several US Cities.  The beetles lay eggs on a wide variety of trees.  The eggs hatch into larvae which burrow into the tree and feed on the inner wood until they metamorphosis into adults and complete the life cycle.  Larvae eventually kill the host tree.  ALB and CLB are not native to the US.  As a result, there are no known enemies of the two beetles.  USDA is currently working towards eradication.

The past successes and future plans of the Michigan Cooperative Pest Cadre (MCPC) will be discussed.

10:00-10:30: Domestic and international efforts to slow the spread and arrival of exotic forest pests, Robert A. Haack (USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station)
There are more than 500 species of exotic (non-native) forest insects already established in North America, and the number continues to increase annually.  The majority of these new species arrive as a result of international trade where food, live plants, or the wood packaging (e.g., pallets and crating) are inadvertently infested with pests.  When we consider only those insect species that feed under the bark or in the wood of live trees, there have been nearly 40 new exotic species discovered in the U.S. in just the past 25 years.  Most of these new pests are not killing trees, but a few are tree killers, such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle.  The world recognized this problem in the late 1990s and in 2002 took one major step by setting international guidelines for treating all wood packaging used in international trade.  This regulation is often called “ISPM No. 15.”  ISPM is short for “International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures.”  The U.S. began enforcement of ISPM No. 15 in 2006.  A similar ISPM-type regulation is in the works now for the live plant industry.  At the national level, USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and USDA Forest Service administer several national surveys, along with state and local partners, which are aimed at early detection of new pests as well as monitoring spread of existing exotic pests.  There are many other national efforts underway to assess the relative risk of exotic pests that have not yet become established in the U.S., monitoring populations of potential pests overseas, determining which pathways are the most high-risk in terms of pest arrival rates, etc.  Bob will describe many of these efforts and provide local, national, and international examples.

10:30-11:00

BREAK

11:00-12:00

Forest health symposium (cont.)

11:00-11:30: The emerald ash borer: Good news for woodpeckers!! David L. Roberts, Ph.D. (Michigan State University)
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is destined to spread across North America, eventually destroying all native American ash species that are not receiving treatment.  The insect pest rivals Dutch Elm Disease and Chestnut Blight in its destructive capability.  We know that a variety of techniques can protect trees from infestation by this invasive insect originally introduced from Asia.  The rapid increase in population of the EAB throughout the Midwest signifies a changing forest and landscape ecosystem.  The increase of EAB populations may also alter bird populations and their habit as they utilize the EAB as a new food source.

11:30-12:00: Roundtable discussion

12:00-1:00

LUNCH (in the cafeteria)

1:00-3:00

Falconry in Michigan: The sport of hunting WITH a hawk, Kory Koch (Michigan Hawking Club)

3:00-3:30

BREAK

3:30-5:00

Falconry in Michigan: The sport of hunting WITH a hawk, Kory Koch (Michigan Hawking Club)

5:00-7:00

DINNER (in the cafeteria)
Catered by the Jordan Inn

7:00-10:00

SOCIAL (in the cafeteria)

9:00-10:30

Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Business Meeting

10:30-11:00

BREAK

11:00-12:00

Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Business Meeting

12:00-1:00

LUNCH (in the cafeteria)

1:00-3:00

Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting presentations

3:00-3:30

BREAK

3:30-5:00

Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting presentations

5:00-7:00

DINNER (in the cafeteria)
Catered by the Jordan Inn