Wildlife Migration in the West

Webinars feature diverse perspectives on new research, the future of corridor protection

The Pew Charitable Trusts, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership are co-hosting a series of webinars on wildlife migration issues across the Western United States.

The “Wildlife Migration in the West” forum series brings together biologists who are researching and tracking migrations; state, tribal, and federal entities implementing policies to protect these corridors; and nonprofit organizations working to educate policymakers and the public about science-based strategies to protect migration routes.

Part 1: Telling Migration Stories Through Science

In Part 1 of the series, wildlife scientists did a deep dive into the latest scientific insights of the migration phenomena, sharing new research on how barriers and climate affect animals’ ability to move.

Air date: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020

Panelists:

• Arthur Middleton, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
• Ellen Aikens, Ph.D., Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Konstanz
• Andrew Jakes, Ph.D., National Wildlife Federation

Part 2: Federal-State Collaborations in Mapping Migrations

In Part 2, state wildlife experts discussed the art and science of mapping ungulate migrations, including the U.S. Geological Survey’s groundbreaking “Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States,” which maps more than 40 big game migration routes across the West.

Air date: Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021

Panelists:

• Matthew Kauffman, leader, United States Geological Survey Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming
• Tony Wasley, director, Nevada Department of Wildlife
• Nicole Tatman, big game program manager, New Mexico Game and Fish Department
• Doug Brimeyer, deputy chief of wildlife, Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Part 3: Federal Policy Priorities for Conserving Wildlife Migrations

In Part 3, a panel of leaders from tribal, landowner, and conservation organizations, as well as state government agencies, discussed the need for and challenges around new and updated federal policy to support permanent protection of wildlife corridors.

Air date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Panelists:

• Julie Thorstenson, executive director, Native American Fish and Wildlife Society
• Dan Gibbs, executive director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
• Lesli Allison, executive director, Western Landowners Alliance
• Tracy Stone-Manning, senior adviser for conservation policy, National Wildlife Federation