Southern division AFS 2023
Friday ALL DAY Workshops
Introductory ArcGIS/QGIS for Fisheries Biologists
Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructors: Hadley Boehm (University of Missouri), Kiah Wright (University of Missouri), Clint Morgeson (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources)
Cost: $125
Max Attendance: 24
Prerequisites: Laptop with the provided ArcPro/QGIS installed prior to class.
Description: This course will serve as an introduction to using spatial data in a geographic information system platform. Participants will learn fundamental concepts of using geographic information and gain experience applying those concepts in hands-on exercises to accomplish real world tasks that might be conducted by a fisheries biologist.
Participants will learn how to create maps using best practices; locate and read metadata; use existing datasets; create new datasets by digitizing or incorporating field-collected spatial information; join tabular data to spatial data; use geoprocessing methods to summarize metrics; and carry out other GIS operations useful for fisheries biologists using ESRI ArcPro or open-source QGIS software.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in Fisheries Science
Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructors: Vic DiCenzo (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission), Brian Murphy
Cost: $50
Max Attendance: 30
Prerequisites: None
Description: A recent survey by the American Fisheries Society identified critical thinking as one of the most important skills that employers seek from young professionals. However, critical thinking is an important skill across all levels of our profession. But what is critical thinking and how do we sharpen our own thinking? This workshop will help define creative and critical thinking, identify barriers, and describe attributes of individuals who think critically.
Fisheries professionals often deal with complex ecological and social issues. How can we apply creative and critical thinking skills to make better decisions and solve complex problems? What are the basics of solving problems? How can we utilize collaborative problem solving skills at work? We will apply a blend of critical and creative thinking to work through a fisheries case study to develop effective strategies and solve a complex management issue.
Fish Kill Investigation Methodology
Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructors: Travis Tidwell (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
Cost: $25 students, $50 professionals
Max Attendance: 25
Prerequisites: Participants are encouraged to read AFS Special Publication 35: Investigation and Monetary Values of Fish and Freshwater Mollusk Kills prior to the workshop.
Description: The Pollution Committee of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society is offering a workshop on investigating fish kills. Fish kills are characterized by the sudden death of large numbers of aquatic animals in a clearly distinct area. Fish kills are often high-profile events that can attract the attention of media and cause concern among anglers and other members of the public. The public often regards dead fish as evidence of pollution or a threat to human health. For this reason, there is often an expectation that officials will investigate fish kills. A fish kill investigation begins with the reporting or discovery of a fish kill and proceeds through the on-scene investigation and enforcement of the case. This workshop will provide training on the fish and mussel kill methodology described in AFS Special Publication 35: Investigation and Monetary Values of Fish and Freshwater Mollusk Kills.
Questions?
Contact: Jeff Williams (jeff.williams@dwr.virginia.gov) or Clint Morgeson (clinton.morgeson@dwr.virginia.gov)