Southern division AFS 2023

Friday Morning Workshops

Improving Science Communication with the Policymakers, the Public, and Peers

Time:  8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Instructors:  Aaron Bunch (Clemson University), Steve Lochmann (University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff)

Cost: Free

Max Attendance: 25

Prerequisites: None

Description: Communicating science is central to presentations at scientific meetings, but equally important when engaging with the public or in the policy arena. Communication of science is a skill that improves with practice, but can also be improved by implementing advice informed by theory. For example, a PowerPoint presentation for a scientific meeting can quickly be improved by adopting best practices. Engaging with the public is a different type of communication that requires different considerations and practices. We will offer suggestions for communication to inform policymakers, engage with the public, and convey research results to peers. This workshop will identify common presenter challenges, including poor planning, unclear messaging, and misuses of PowerPoint. This workshop will outline useful practices for development and delivery of compelling presentations. The goal is for participants to improve the likelihood that audiences will receive, remember, and use their findings.

Identification of the Most Common Problematic Aquatic Plants in the Southeastern States (Session 1)

Time:  8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Instructors:  Graves Lovell, Alabama DCNR and others

Cost: $25

Max Attendance: 100

Prerequisites: None

Description:  Identification and the most effective control methods of common aquatic plants found in small impoundments in southeastern states. The morning session will instruct how to identify 23 common aquatic plants with information about plant characteristics, growth, and similar plants (look-a-likes).  The second session will be in the afternoon and must be signed up for separately (additional $25).

Continuous Stream Temperature Monitoring 

Time:  8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Instructors:  David Young (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department), Matt Troia (University of Texas San Antonio)

Cost: $25

Max Attendance: 40

Prerequisites: Prior experience using R is preferred.  Laptop with Excel, R, and R Studio installed.

Description:  Stream temperature influences species physiology, behavior, distribution, and community structure and as a leading indicator of global warming is a pertinent variable to understand how freshwater ecosystems in the Southeastern United States will be affected by climate change. Future projections show warming will increase causing changes in suitable habitat for thermally sensitive species and increased distribution of tolerant species including tropicalization of noxious plants and animals. To protect biodiversity, resource managers need to understand and predict climate impacts to plan and implement conservation and adaptation programs. Continuous stream temperature monitoring however is lacking across the Southeastern region, especially in warm water fisheries.

This workshop aims to introduce continuous stream temperature monitoring methods with the goal of providing attendees essential knowledge to start or refine monitoring efforts. Practicing experts will share best practices, data processing workflows, and case studies through a combination of lecture and hands on experience. This workshop will be conducted in an inclusive and collaborative manner that raises awareness for the needs of stream temperature monitoring and bring scientists and resource managers together to enrich knowledge and foster a community of practice. Focal topics are:

  • Study design:  considerations for meeting your research and management goals
  • Data collection methods:  best practices for sensor deployment maintenance and data retrieval.
  • Data processing:  hands on practice in data entry, cleaning, exploratory analysis, and visualization, and storage using the program R
  • Information transfer:  data dissemination/open-source sharing/other resources
Innovasea Acoustic Telemetry

Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Instructors:  Stephanie Smedbol (Innovasea)

Cost: Free

Max Attendance:  20 

Prerequisites: None

Description: Please join Innovasea for a free half-day workshop on how to effectively use acoustic telemetry technology to understand aquatic animal behavior. Along with describing how acoustic telemetry works, Innovasea experts will guide you through the basics of study design, range testing and using Fathom software for data analysis and visualization. We will also provide an update on the latest fish tracking technologies, including products under development as part of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster initiative, innovations in acoustic tags for small ocean-going animals, and a sneak peek at the future of acoustic telemetry.

Leading at All Levels

Time:  8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Instructors:  Steve McMullin, Doug Austen, other AFS officers (AFS)

Cost: Free

Max Attendance: None

Prerequisites: None

Description:  Topics covered un this workshop include how to lead and AFS unit effectively, including recruiting and motivating volunteers, resources available to AFS leaders from the Society, and how to run efficient and effective meetings.

Reconnecting Aquatic Habitat at the Regional Scale:  A Workshop to Develop Leaders Working to Restore Aquatic Connectivity through Barrier Removal in the Southeast

Time:  8:00 – 12:00 pm  TIME CHANGE:  1:00 – 4:30 pm 

Instructors:  Victoria Ruddle and Kat Hoenke (Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership)

Cost: Free

Max Attendance: 40

Prerequisites: None

Description:  In order to reconnect aquatic habitat within the Southeast region, eight states (VA, NC, SC, TN, GA, FL, AR, and AL) have Aquatic Connectivity Teams (ACT). These teams work within their states to build a community of practice for barrier removal through identification and implementation of priority projects, data collection, regulatory streamlining, education and outreach and more. This workshop is designed for the ACT leads and their leadership teams (core groups/steering committees) to come together and present successful methods to build capacity for aquatic connectivity and how they can be implemented region wide within neighboring ACTs.

Questions?

Contact: Jeff Williams (jeff.williams@dwr.virginia.gov) or Clint Morgeson (clinton.morgeson@dwr.virginia.gov)