DEDICATED TO THE WISE USE OF ALL NATURAL RESOURCES

North Dakota Chapter

The Wildlife Society

The mission of the North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society is to provide a forum for discussion of ecological issues among natural resource professionals; to enable its membership to pursue conservation of natural resources; and to inform the public on ecologically wise uses of natural resources in support of a conservation ethic.

Fall 2009

President’s Message 2

Calendar of Events & Chapter News 3 Executive Board & Committees 4

Executive Board Minutes 5

Dakota Prairie Legacy Update 9

Small Grants Request 9

Executive Board Nominations Request 9

Award Nominations Requested 10

Membership Application 11

Inside this issue:

Coming Soon...the fall 2009 Central Mountains and Plains Section Newsletter: http://joomla.wildlife.org/CMP/

DO YOU NEED $$ FOR A CONSERVATION PROJECT IN NORTH DAKOTA?? REMINDER!! The Chapter provides grant awards for up to $1000 to encourage projects that promote wise management and conservation of wildlife, plants, and other natural resources in North Dakota. The grant is available to any university, student, professional individual, group, agency, or organizational pro-ject. The grant may be used for travel (within North Dakota) to/from sites, lodging, expendable equipment, salaries, and supplies. Administrative overhead expenses are ineligible, as are those for durable field equipment such as cameras, computers, GPS units, or surveying equipment. Deadline for submission is 1 December! Please send proposals (2 pg max) by email to jaustin@usgs.gov , or by surface mail to: NDCTWS, P.O. Box 1442, Bismarck, ND 58502.

2010 ND Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting February 10-12th

International Inn, Minot Meeting Theme:

“The Changing Landscape of the Northern Great Plains”

CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS The Program Committee of North Dakota Chapter is inviting its regular and student members and interested parties to present papers and posters on natural resource issues at the Chapters Annual Meeting, February 10-12, 2010, Minot, N.D. This year’s program theme for the Chapter’s Annual Meeting will emphasize “The Changing Landscape of the Northern Great Plains.” If you are interested in presenting a paper or poster at the 2010 Annual Meeting, please send the title, author(s), name, address, and phone number/e-mail address, and a brief abstract by DECEMBER 1ST to: NDCTWS Program Committee, P.O. Box 1442, Bismarck, ND 58502. For more information, or to submit your abstract directly to the committee, please contact Mark Sherfy (msherfy@usgs.gov) or 701-253-5504. Students are highly encouraged to present a paper or poster.

From the Fundraising Committee: The fundraising committee would like to thank all the members that have supported the annual auction in the past. It’s not to early to think about the upcoming auction and auction items. As always, the committee is interested in any ideas or suggestions on ways we can improve the auction and keep enjoyable and exciting for all. See you all in a couple months!

2 North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society WWW.NDCTWS.ORG

A Message From the President Fall is here! This is the time of year that a lot of us enjoy the most. I personally enjoy fall on two very different levels. First, I enjoy making hunting plans, get-ting all of my gear ready, renew-ing contacts with hunting part-ners and landowners, and spend-ing time afield. The satisfaction of watching a dog sniffing out roost-ers, cupped up wings descending into the decoys, or the sight of a cautious deer approaching pro-vides me with something I can not adequately explain to others. On a second level, I am continu-ing to enjoy fall more and more on a professional level. I used to view other hunters as competi-tors for a special wetland, flock of geese, or hunting spot. More and more I see other hunters as im-portant constituents, sportsmen, and contributors that hunt with the same passion as I do. What brings me satisfaction is that they are enjoying the fruits of our labor. Sportsmen rarely thank wildlife professionals for what has been accomplished. The game they are hunting may have been produced on habitat we have helped to restore, defend, manage, develop, or enroll in a conservation program. They may be ignorant to all of the wildlife surveys, transects, season setting discussions that ensure ade-quate population protection and yet provide equitable distribution for other sportsmen. They may be indifferent to all the non-game species that enrich our state and flourish from conservation efforts. They may be unaware of wildlife professional’s dedication, persistence, and passion to protect and manage our resources. The Chapter continues to work diligently on issues that affect our habitat and wildlife populations. At the Sep-tember Executive Board meeting we accepted the challenge to become a coalition partner in Prairie Legacy Wil-derness in an effort to protect some of North Dakota’s last great places. We formed a new Communication Committee by combining the Newsletter and Website in an effort to streamline and adjust to improving technol-ogy. We are also continuing to work on energy issues, the Missouri River, wetland protection and clean water. The challenges continue, but take some time to enjoy the fall. Since most sportsmen, nature lovers, landowners, politicians, etc will not thank you for what you have professionally contributed – thank you. For all of the wildlife professionals including biologists, enforcement, educators, engineers, administrators, technicians, and volunteers – enjoy the fruits of your labor and the thought that you have contributed to the wise use of our natural resources.

Kent Luttschwager

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Monday, December 7, 2009

10:00 A.M.

NDGFD Riverdale Office

TWS NEWS

Change to or from e-newsletter subscription: ndcotws@yahoo.com

North Dakota Community Action Partnership Hunters can again donate their deer to help feed the hungry. See the website for a list of processors and program guidelines:

http://www.capnd.org/

The North Dakota Hunters for Fair Chase is again leading a petition drive to place an initiated measure to ban the killing of big game or exotic mammals behind a high fence. The group had an excellent article in Dakota Country magazine last month. The Fair Chase website is very well done:

http://www.northdakotafairchase.com

Anyone interested in carrying a petition, please contact Mike McEnroe or the website.

OTHER NEWS

2010 NDCTWS Annual Meeting

February 10-12, 2010

Minot, ND

International Inn

www.internationalinn.com/

CHECK OUT THE TWS CAREER CENTER Search hundreds of postings — Create job alerts — Post your resume http://careers.wildlife.org

THE WILDLIFER—OCTOBER 2009 Check out TWS’s monthly newsletter with a summary from the annual confer-ence in Monterey, Policy News, and more: http://joomla.wildlife.org/index.php?option=com_cotent&task=blogcategory&id=77&Itemid=302

DECEMBER 1, 2009 Deadline to submit: • Papers and Poster abstracts for presen-tation at the annual meeting.

• Executive Board candidates • Small grant proposals • Funding requests • Nominations for awards See pages 9-10 for more info.

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North Dakota Chapter TWS 2009—Executive Board Members and Committees

North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society WWW.NDCTWS.ORG

Portfolio Name Email Phone President Portfolio Kent Luttschwager kluttschwager@nd.gov 701-774-4320

Secretary/Treasure Terry Allbee nrtterry@btinet.net 701-223-8501 CMPS Representative Glen Sargeant gsargeant@usgs.gov 701-253-5528 Natural Resources Trust Advisor Scott Peterson speterso@nd.gov 701-324-2211 Resolutions and Public Statements Kent Luttschwager kluttschwager@nd.gov 701-774-4320 Finance Mike Goos mike_goos@fws.gov 701-442-5474

Past-President Portfolio Mark Sherfy mark_sherfy@usgs.gov 701-253-5504

Arrangements Mark Sherfy mark_sherfy@usgs.gov 701-253-5504 Program Marsha Sovada marsha_sovada@usgs.gov 701-253-5506 Audit Tom Sklebar toms995@daktel.com 701-489-3490 Membership Mike Szymanski mszymanski@nd.gov 701-328-6360 Nominations Mark Sherfy mark_sherfy@usgs.gov 701-253-5504 Fund Raising Chuck Bosch chuck_bosch@fws.gov 701-355-8515

President-Elect Portfolio Jane Austin jaustin@usgs.gov 701-253-5510

Bylaws Paul Myerchin clarklaw@btinet.net 701-250-8968 Legislative Randy Renner rrenner@ducks.org 701-355-3500 Awards Jane Austin jaustin@usgs.gov 701-253-5510 Small Grants Jane Austin jaustin@usgs.gov 701-253-5510 Communications Sandy Johnson & Carol Aron sajohnson@nd.gov or carol_aron@fws.gov 701-328-6382 or 701-355-8506

Law Enforcement Jackie Lundstrom & Tim Phalen jalundst@nd.gov 701-328-6606 Portfolio A Mike Rabenberg michael_rabenberg@fws.gov 701-255-3052

Wetland Resources Curt Bradbury curtis.bradbury@nd.usda.gov 701-662-7967 Historian Jeremy Duckwitz yodelyote@hotmail.com 701 782-4143 Wildlife Commercialization Mike McEnroe memcenroe@btinet.net 701-224-8335 Alternative Energy Paul Myerchin clarklaw@btinet.net 701-250-8968 50th Anniversary Committee Al Sapa asap@bis.midco.net 701-258-9128

Portfolio B Stacy Whipp stacy_whipp@fws.gov 701-285-3354

Western Lands Bill Jensen bjensen@nd.gov 701-328-6637 State Wildlife Grants Bruce Kreft bkreft@nd.gov 701-328-6224 Education & Outreach Kristine Askerooth kristine_askerooth@fws.gov 701-724-3598 Invasive Species Dave Dewald dave.dewald@nd.nrcs.gov 701-530-2083 Prof. Women in Nat. Resources Cami Dixon & Kristine Askerooth cami_dixon@fws.gov 701-662-8611

Portfolio C Natoma Buskness natoma_buskness@fws.gov 701-752-4218

Missouri River Vacant Devils Lake Basin Roger Hollevoet roger_hollevoet@fws.gov 701-662-8611 Garrison Diversion Bill Bicknell william_bicknell@fws.gov 701-355-8512 Prairie Resources Jill Shaffer jshaffer@usgs.gov 701-253-5547 Red River Watershed Jack Lalor jack_lalor@fws.gov 701-724-3598

Portfolio D Jeremy Guinn jeremyg@sbci.edu 701-854-8037 Northern Great Plains Work Group Kevin Willis kevin_willis@fws.gov 701-355-8526 Endangered Species Patrick Isakson & Eric Rosenquist pisakson@nd.gov 701-328-6338 Wildlife Damage Management Phil Mastrangelo p.mastrangelo@usda.gov 701-250-4405 Legacy Trust Initiative Bill Bicknell william_bicknell@fws.gov 701-355-8512 Tribal Wildlife Dave Azure & Jeremy Guinn dave_azure@fws.gov 701-285-3341

Inactive Committees Representatives Contracts

Fishery Resources, Mike Olson USDA Tech Comm., Karen Kreil Legislative Liaison, Mike McEnroe Forest Resources, Tom Claeys Garrison Master Plan, Al Sapa Webmaster, A.J. Klein Prairie Chicken, Greg Link CMPS Rep., Glen Sargeant ND Action Group, Casey Anderson NRT, Scott Peterson

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North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society

Executive Board Meeting Minutes

September 15, 2009 The Executive Board Meeting of the North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society was called to order at 9:00 AM at the North Dakota Game Fish Depart-ment’s Lonetree Office in Harvey, ND. Those in attendance included Kent Luttschwager, Mark Sherfy, Jane Austin, Terry Allbee, Jeremy Guinn, Natoma Buskness, Stacy Whipp, and Mike Raben-berg. Also in attendance were Scott Peterson, Mike McEnroe, Al Sapa, Ron Shupe, Jan Swenson, and Mike Szymanski. Notes: MSC = “Moved, seconded, and carried” followed by names of board members making and seconding the motion. NTR = “Nothing to Report” from the committee chair.

Old Business A. Treasurer’s Report: Terry presented the Chap-ter’s budget report, account holding summary and Meeks report. The highlights of the budget report included the moving of Dakota Prairie Legacy ($2,300) and life membership ($1,300) from checking to the money market account. In addition, the Chap-ter contributed to the Tony Dean’s Acres, to the University of Tennessee student chapter for the distribution of the “Opportunity For All” DVD, and to The Wildlife Society’s annual meeting. Move to approve treasury report (MSC Sherfy, Austin). B. Correspondence Received: The Chapter re-ceived the following correspondence: thank you from University of Tennessee Student Chapter for contri-bution, 2009 Earth Day thank you, Senator Dorgan America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act support letter thank you, responses from original Chapter mem-bers of the 50th anniversary, Badlands Conservation Alliance support letter thank you, Department of Army response to the inclusion of six topics into the moderation of Missouri River management under the 1944 Flood Control Act, and other miscellaneous correspondence. Kent and Terry will continue to work on improving the documentation of correspon-dence received and sent by the Chapter. C. Correspondence Sent: The Chapter sent seven letters since the last executive board meeting. The list of correspondence sent included: support letter to the Badlands Conservation Alliance for the designa-tion of six tracts of US Forest Service land in North Dakota as wilderness status, as described in the Prairie Legacy Wilderness proposal; the 50th Anni-versary Committee sent a request letter to members who were present when the Chapter was started (43 letters); Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army, suggesting six topics for inclusion into the modernization of Missouri River management under the 1944 Flood Control Act; Congressman Earl Pomeroy supporting the purchase of Horse Creek

Grazing Association Ranch and transfer the owner-ship to the US Forest Service; Senator Byron Dorgan to support the Clean Water Restoration Act as amended by the Baucus-Klobuchar Compromise for Clean Water and passed by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; SD Parks and Wildlife Foundation for the contribution to Tony Dean’s Acres Memorial Fund; and Theodore Roose-velt National Park in response for request for com-ments on the preferred alternative for elk manage-ment at TRNP. D. Deer Depredation Management Position State-ment Revisions: The deer depredation manage-ment position statement was approved with revisions by membership at annual meeting. The final state-ment has been sent to committee with final revisions. E. Bylaws: The Chapter will include North American Model language into the existing bylaws. If there are additional changes to the bylaws, approval by mem-bership needs to be completed at the annual meet-ing in February. Bill Jensen, Bylaws Committee, recommended referencing The Wildlife Society’s March 27, 2007, position statement on the North American Model in the bylaws. Motion to include the 2007 approved reference of TWS North American Model position statement into the bylaws of the Chapter. (MSC Guinn, Buskness) Jane, president-elect Bylaws portfolio, will send the final bylaws to Kent for submission to TWS for approval.

New Business A. Update from TWS: Jeremy will be attending the TWS annual conference in Monterey, CA. Jeremy will report to the executive board at the next meeting. B. Energy Issues: The Alternative Energy Commit-tee met in August to discuss recommendations for change of committee structure and to prepare for introductory meeting with North Dakota Public Ser-vice Commission (PSC). The committee recom-mends consolidating the existing Alternative Energy Committee into the Energy Committee with three subcommittees: biofuels, wind, and fossil fuels. The Chapter will place a message in future newsletters requesting representatives for these committees. The Committee will meet with PSC in September to introduce the Chapter, offer assistance, and provide talking points for energy and conservation. The talking points will include the Chapter’s support of the development of green energy and will offer ser-vices to PSC for natural resources concern. These could include siting guidelines and long-term policy development. Motion to change the name of the Alternative Energy Committee to the Energy Com-mittee, this includes three subcommittees: biofuels, wind, and fossil fuels. (MSC Rabenberg, Whipp) C. Communication Committee: The Newsletter Committee is recommending the committee name be changed to the Communication Committee and be in the president-elect portfolio. A draft communication plan was written by Sandra Johnson. Sandy and Carol Aron will represent the Communication Com-

mittee. The Communication Committee will be asking for additional representatives who have tech-nical capabilities. Motion to place the newsletter, listserve, and website into a combined Communica-tion Committee and move to president-elect portfolio. (MSC Guinn, Buskness) Jane, Carol, and Sandy will work to further develop the draft communications plan and present it at the December board meeting. D. Membership Issues: Mike Szymanski gave the executive board an updated membership report. The report included the number and type of mem-bers in the Chapter. Mike has one new member to be voted in Jennifer Stucker. Mike is requesting procedure changes to the approval voting of new members at the annual meeting. Mike completes a background and follow-up on all new members at the annual meeting. Mike would like to have additional time to visit with the new members. The discussion on how to resolve this issue included ideas on regis-tration table notification and voting procedure at annual meeting. The voting of new members at the annual meeting is written in the bylaws. If there are changes to the procedure, it may require bylaw changes. Kent and Jane will review the procedures and recommend changes at the December executive board meeting. Move to approve Jennifer Stucker as member of Chapter. (MSC Sherfy, Austin) E. Badlands Conservation Alliance – Jan Swenson: Jan Swenson from the Badlands Conser-vation Alliance (BCA) attended the meeting to re-quest the Chapter become a coalition member. The Badlands Conservation Alliance is A Voice for Wild North Dakota Places. BCA was founded in 1999 during the early public planning process for the For-est Service’s Land and Resource Management Plan for the Dakota Prairie Grasslands to speak out for conservation concerns in western North Dakota’s 1 million acre Little Missouri National Grassland. The BCA is promoting a proposal called the Prairie Leg-acy Wilderness (PLW). PLW recommends wilder-ness designation of the four “Suitable for Wilderness” management areas on the Little Missouri National Grassland Twin Buttes, Kendley Plateau, Bullion Butte, and Long X Divide; and an additional 5400-acre roadless area on the Sheyenne National Grass-land located in southeastern North Dakota. Motion was made to become a member of the Badlands Conservation Alliance coalition and to support the Prairie Legacy Wilderness proposal. (MSC Austin, Whipp) This membership will give the opportunity for more involvement from the Chapter’s Western Lands Committee. Stacy will work to have BCA information included into the Chapter’s newsletter. BCA informa-tional brochures could be made available at the Chapter’s annual meeting. F. Comprehensive Climate and Energy Legisla-tion: The Chapter received a request from Nicholas Callero, National Wildlife Federation (NWF), asking the Chapter to sign a letter of support addressed to North Dakota senators to support climate and energy legislation. Mike R. will coordinate whether to write a separate letter of support or sign on to NWF’s letter. G. High Fence Initiative: Mike M. presented infor-

6 North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society WWW.NDCTWS.ORG

mation from the North Dakota Hunters For Fair Chance who are leading a petition drive to place an initiated measure to ban the killing of big game or exotic mammals behind a high fence in North Da-kota. Mike M. is requesting a support letter from Chapter. Chapter has an existing support letter for the previous high fence initiated measure effort and will continue to support the current initiated measure. H. Elk EIS comments: Al S. sent correspondence to the NPS to complete the preferred alternative and proceed with the elk management plan. The alterna-tive is to have volunteers harvest elk during the first two years and then evaluate the elk harvest. The NDGFD does not believe the alternative plan will be effective and is not designed properly to reduce the elk herd. The Chapter is supportive of the NPS elk herd reduction targets. I. Call for New Business Items: Bob Lanka, CMPS, sent a letter to have black-footed ferret listed as experimental rather then endangered. Bob pre-ferred the experimental listing instead of endan-gered. Kent will send the information electronically to the Endangered Species Committee represented by Eric Rosenquist and Patrick Isakson. Al S. will send a letter to Bob Lanka correcting his information about the starting date of the Chapter to September 10, 1963. The Wildlife Society is requesting funding for cele-brating our wildlife conservation heritage, which involves conducting interviews and filming videos with founding conservation professionals. The re-quest will be tabled until the December executive board meeting when the budget is drafted. The US Sportsman’s Alliance through Terry Stein-wand has expressed concern of the nomination of Cass Sunstein to head the Office of Information of Regulatory Affairs.

President’s Portfolio (Kent Luttschwager) Secretary/Treasurer (Terry Allbee) — Reported in new business. Newsletter (Sandra Johnson) — Committee name will be changed to Communication Committee. The deadline for newsletter information is September 30. CMPS Representative (Glen Sargeant) — Report submitted. Natural Resources Trust Advisor (Scott Peterson) — Written Report Resolutions & Public Statements (Al Sapa) — Let-ters to editor to Missouri newspapers in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Columbia for change in the Missouri River Management Plan.

Finance Committee (Mike Goos) — Committee recommends that twice a year the Chapter will move DPL and life membership into Chapter’s investment ac-counts. The Committee recom-mends moving $2,600 of DPL and $1,300 in life membership contribution into the appropriate investment accounts. The Com-mittee also recommends renew-ing the $10,000 CD for one year. The current CD will expire October 1 and the Chapter will receive $350.00 in interest. Motion to move $2,300 DPL and $1,300 LM from money market to respective investment ac-counts and from hereafter move the funds in 6-month increments to appropriate accounts. (MSC Austin, Rabenberg) Motion to renew $10,000 CD that expires on 10/01/09 for one year. (MSC Luttschwager, Guinn) .

Past President’s Portfolio (Mark Sherfy)

Arrangements (Mark Sherfy) — Standard announce-ments need to go into the next newsletter. Program (Marsha Sovoda) — NTR (Need theme for 2010 annual meeting) Audit (Tom Sklebar) — NTR Membership (Mike Szymanski) — Previously re-ported. Nominations (Mark Sherfy) — Contacting candidates for new executive board members Fundraising (Chuck Bosch) — Chuck is contacting auctioneers and options for fundraising improve-ments. Concerns on Minot gaming requirements need to be researched. Kathy Baer, Chuck Bosch, and Terry plan on meeting in October to discuss planning for upcoming annual meeting.

President Elect Portfolio (Jane Austin) Bylaws (Paul Myerchin) — Previously reported. Legislative (Randy Renner) — NTR Awards (Jane Austin) — Chapter nominated Mike Johnson for the CMPS Professional award. Mike received the award. Next CMPS meeting will be held in Chamberlain, South Dakota, in August 2010. Submit notification for Chapter’s annual meeting award nominations in the next newsletter.

Small Grants (Jane Austin) —Solicit requests in next newsletter. Law Enforcement (Jackie Lundstrom, Tim Phalen)— Law enforcement annual award. NDCTWS Website (A.J. Klein) — NTR

Portfolio A (MikeRabenberg) Wetland Resources (Curtis Bradbury) — The Sen-ate's Environment and Public Works Commit-tee continues to work on language related to jurisdiction of the Clean Water Restoration Act. Issues concerning tile drainage and the promotion of tile drainage need to be addressed by the Chapter. Chapter could submit an article in Water magazine that highlights the negative effects of tile drainage. NRCS is planning to hire a Resource Conservation-ist in Devils Lake to improve service to persons dealing with wetland issues. Historian (Jeremy Duckwitz) — NTR Wildlife Commercialization (Mike McEnroe) — Previ-ously reported. Alternative Energy (Paul Myerchin) — Previously reported in change of committee structure. 50th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee (Al Sapa) – The Committee has contacted each of the remaining living charter members of the Chapter and asked for their impressions of the formative year for the Chap-ter – 1963. We are currently collecting responses and will determine how best to use the information for the Anniversary.

(Continued from page 5)

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Portfolio B (Stacy Whipp) Western Lands (Bill Jensen) — Jan Swenson BCA request. Bill Jensen is cur-rently reviewing the T. Roosevelt Expressway Corridor plan. State Wildlife Grants (Bruce Kreft) — NTR Education & Outreach (Kristine Askerooth) — NTR Invasive Species (Dave Dewald) — The Chapter was requested to be part of the Northern Great Plains Work Group letter to support the agricultural and wildlife interaction position at the Hettinger Research Extension Station. Hettinger Re-search Extension Station would like to make the position permanent and is going to meet with the State Board of Agricultural Research in October. Kent will work on the coordination of the support letter. Montana is considering listing Russian olive as a noxious weed. This would be the lowest category meaning landowners would not be required to control spe-cies, but no future plantings would be allowed. Rod Lym, professor of Weed Science, NDSU, released (June 2009) a new Iden-tification and Control Guide for Invasive and Troublesome Weeds in ND. It has around 30 weeds and is available at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/weeds/w1411.pdf. Professional Women in Natural Resources (Cami Dixon and Kristie Askerooth) Initiate coordination of the social for next year's meeting in Minot, sent out a job announcement for UND position to group, and would encourage the group to pursue a woman for one or both of these speaking events.

Portfolio C (Natoma Buskness) Missouri River (Al Sapa) — The Committee had an active quarter. In June, the Chapter wrote to the Assistant Secretary of the Army offering suggestions on how the Section 108 Study of the Missouri River, authorized in the 2009 Omni-bus Spending Bill, should be conducted. The Chapter received a response from the Army in August thanking us for our comments, indicating that our comments were appropriate, and including the Chapter in its listening contact list. The Committee briefed Senator Dorgan’s new Deputy State Director on the Chapter

and our views on modernization of the 1944 Flood Control Act. The Committee has also engaged the parent organization in the Missouri River Study effort. TWS is interested in helping change the Act and has offered their assistance to the Chapter in advancing our initiative. Finally, the Committee sent letters to the editors of three newspapers in Missouri encouraging the public to engage in the discussion to modernize management of the river. Other activities included attending the Corps of Engineers public meeting on environmental restoration of the prison farm land in south Bismarck.. Devils Lake Basin (Roger Hollevoet) — NTR Garrison Diversion (Bill Bicknell) — Report that water supply project has shifted to Fargo flood control. Prairie Resources (Jill Shaffer) — NTR Red River Watershed (Jack Lalor) — NTR

Portfolio D (Jeremy Guinn) Northern Great Plains Working Group (Kevin Willis) — Committee is sending a letter of support to the Risk Management Agency to support prevention of the conversion of grasslands to cropland. FSA is hosting a series of public meetings on future of CRP. Endangered Species (Eric Rosenquist & Patrick Isakson) — NTR Wildlife Damage Management (Phil Mastrangelo) — NTR Legacy Trust Initiative (Bill Bicknell) — Letter to MDU requesting funds for stu-dent travel to Chapter’s annual meeting. Tribal Wildlife (Dave Azure, Jeremy Guinn) — Focusing on increasing tribes attendance and involvement at the annual Chapter meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM. (MSC Austin, Guinn). The next Execu-tive Board meeting will be at NDGFD Riverdale Office on December 7, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.

(Continued from page 6)

8 North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society WWW.NDCTWS.ORG

ND NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST REPORT - SCOTT PETERSON The ND Natural Resources Trust (Trust) Board met on July 16, 2009, in Bismarck, ND, and a summary of the discussion topics at those meetings include the following: • Keith Trego gave an update on the Basin Elec-tric Power Cooperative (Basin) wind project discus-sion. Basin is developing a wind-powered electricity generation facility consisting of 77 turbines with a nameplate rating of up to 115.5 megawatts in Ward County, ND. A biological assessment has been prepared for the project which identifies numerous avoidance and minimization measures that Basin Electric has proposed to implement. In addition to these avoidance and minimization measures, Basin has committed to providing funds as a voluntary conservation measure for furthering the cause of the protection of whooping cranes and their habitats. In essence, the Trust is entering into an MOU among the United States Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for the purpose of purchasing, protecting, maintaining, or restoring suitable migratory stopover, roosting, and foraging habitat for whooping cranes and other mi-gratory avian species. Basin will provide the neces-sary funds to enable the Trust to administer and deliver the program. • The Board spent a considerable amount of time, as it always does, discussing the long-term investment scenarios and strategies of the Trust with Dan Devlin, SEI, Inc. • Karen Kreil reported on the grant proposal the Trust submitted to the Renewable Energy Council. The proposal is for Phase 2 of the biomass plot study which was started by Arnie Kruse. The grant was for $280,000. Phase 2 involves data collection on biomass yields, chemical composition, and soil quality parameters. • Keith Trego reported on the Big Oxbow project. An appraisal was done on the “core” piece of prop-erty. General discussions were held with the Maurer-Taylor Estate representatives about potential valuation of the property. A meeting with landowners was held in July to discuss property values and to determine who is still interested in the project. Meet-ings were also held with ND Game and Fish Depart-ment personnel and other partners to discuss fund-ing strategies. • Keith Trego discussed the Dakota Water Re-sources Act of 2000 (DWRA) language change with the Board. The new language would direct the Commissioner of Reclamation to authorize the Trust to expend all or any portion of the funding allocation received pursuant to section 11(a)(2)(B) of the DWRA for the purpose of operations of the Trust whether such amounts are principal or received as investment income. • Keith Trego reported that there hasn’t been a lot of activity associated with the Farm Bill due to the

fact that many rules have not been published. WRP and GRP rules are out and all programs are going forward and allocation levels are good. • Terry Allbee reported on the Trust’s contract with NRCS. The Trust is assisting NRCS with the status review of their WRP easements that were signed prior to 2009. This project involves 133 con-tracts in 32 counties. • Terry Allbee also updated the Board on the partnership to utilize COE funding to help the Trust fund activities on the mainstem of the Missouri River. The USFWS has agreed to administer those funds for the COE. A cooperative agreement with the FWS was signed in mid-March for $40,000/year for a five year period. The Smith Grove acquisition, Big Ox-bow project, and the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program are examples of projects where COE fund-ing can be used for project facilitation. • Keith Trego recommended to the Board that we not have a grant cycle again this year, and the Board voted to adopt that recommendation. • The Strategic Plan has been completed and has been placed on the Trust’s web site. Genevieve Thompson reported on the performance evaluation for the executive director. The next NDNRT Board Meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2009, in Bismarck. As always, if any Chapter member has questions, comments, or con-cerns regarding the Chapter’s involvement in Trust activities, they are encouraged to contact Scott Pe-terson.

CENTRAL MOUNTAINS AND PLAINS SECTION OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY – GLEN SARGAENT • The Annual Conference of the CMPS was held in Fort Collins, Colorado, from August 18-20 in con-junction with the summer conference of the Colorado Chapter of TWS. NDCTWS members in attendance included Jerry Kobriger and Glen Sargeant. Glen gave a presentation on comparative dynamics of Midwestern elk populations during a special session devoted to elk in national parks. • The Annual Business Meeting of the CMPS was held at the Annual Conference. Draft minutes are attached for informational purposes only. They have not been approved, hence are not yet for distribution. A few highlights of special relevance to members from North Dakota: • Mike Johnson of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department received the CMPS professional award. Congratulations Mike! • Glen Sargeant completed his 2-year term as a Member-at-large of the CMPS Executive Board. • Election results were tallied and new members of the CMPS Executive Board were installed. Aaron Pearse of Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Cen-ter was elected to a 2-year term as Member-at-large. • The 55th Annual Conference and Business Meet-ing of the CMPS will be held at Cedar Shores Re-sort on Missouri River near Chamberlain, South Dakota, 17-18 August (easy driving distance for NDCTWS members!).

Committee Reports continued...

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NDCTWS SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM REQUEST FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR 2010

Purpose: The NDCTWS Small Grants Program is to encourage projects that promote the wise management and conservation of wildlife, plants, and other natural resources in North Dakota. Priority will given to projects in areas that have been traditionally underfunded, such as nongame species conservation and conserva-tion education. Guidelines: The grant program consists of one or more awards of up to $1000 for project work occurring in North Dakota. The grant is available to any university, student, professional individual, group, agency, or organizational project. Grants applicants must reapply each year for future funding. The grant may be used for travel (within North Dakota) to/from sites, lodging, expendable equipment, salaries, and supplies. Administrative overhead expenses are ineligible, as are those for durable field equipment such as cameras, computers, GPS units, or surveying equipment. Proposals must be received by 1 December 2009. All proposals are reviewed at the final executive board meeting of the year by the NDCTWS executive board and ranked on the basis of 1) quality of the project, 2) meeting the purpose of the NDCTWS Small Grants Program, and (3) budget needs. Grant recipients will be notified by the executive board and awards will be announced in the newsletter. Project leaders will submit a 1-2 page report summarizing the results of the project to the NDCTWS executive board. Also, an article summarizing the results of the project must be submitted for inclusion in the Chapter Newsletter. Grant recipients are encouraged to do an oral presentation or poster at the annual NDCTWS meeting. The name of the Chapter should be acknowledged as a financial supporter on any reports or publication. Proposals Written proposals should not exceed 2 single spaced typewritten pages. The proposal narrative must address the following criteria:

Statement of purpose Project objectives Methods Study area Target species or audience Project duration Benefits to the conservation of natural resources in North Dakota

Literature citations and an itemized budget should be included but do not count toward the 2-page limit. Other sources of support for the project must be identified in the budget. Subcontracting is not allowed. The grantee will be expected to obtain any necessary permits. Deadline and Mailing Instructions Deadline for submission of proposals is 1 December 2009. Please send proposals by email to jaustin@usgs.gov , or by surface mail to: NDCTWS, P.O. Box 1442, Bismarck, ND 58502.

EXECUTIVE BOARD NOMINATIONS The North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society will elect a President-elect and two Board members at its Annual Meeting, February 10-12, 2010 in Minot, North Dakota. The Chapters Nomination Committee, which is composed of the last three Past- Presidents, is now taking nominations for these important Chapter offices. If you are interested in one of these nominations, or know of a Chapter member who would make a good candidate, please contact the Committee. This is a great opportunity to participate in one of the States premier natural resource organizations, develop and apply your leadership and management skills, and have a direct effect on natural resource issues in the State. The strength of the Chapter is in our members who are willing to step up and go the “extra” mile. Give this opportunity consideration, and offer your help. It will be an exciting and rewarding experience. If you are interested in providing your leadership skills to the Chapter, or want to nominate someone who will help the Chapter achieve its important role in the State, please contact:

NDCTWS Nominations Committee P.O. Box 1442

Bismarck, North Dakota 58502 Nominations can be submitted directly to Mark Sherfy (msherfy@usgs.gov)

DAKOTA PRAIRIE LEGACY UPDATE The DPL, the Chapter’s Endowment Fund, has mostly recovered from the economic downturn, and is now worth in excess of $25,000. Thank you to all Chapter members who have supported this effort to growth the Chapter. The three-year goal was to raise an initial $ 90,000 by May 31, 2010; so we are a bit behind sched-ule with that goal. The Finance Committee is planning another appreciation social for Minot for all DPL contributors. Mike and Con are continuing to talk to poten-tial contributors. When you are out enjoying the fantastic fall bounty of North Dakota, remember the DPL and what it will take to keep our outstanding resources on the landscape for future generations. Please support the Chapter and the Dakota Prairie Legacy.

FUNDING REQUEST DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 1, 2009 The Executive Board asks that funding requests be submitted prior to the December executive meeting. The Board recognizes that funding requests requiring immediate attention may still occasionally arise throughout the year. However, funding requests received prior to the December Executive Board meeting will re-ceive priority and ensure equitable funding consideration for Chapter committee projects and partnerships with other organizations. If you are a Chapter standing committee chair or represent an organization considering Chapter funding during the upcoming year, please contact your respective Executive Board portfolio representative.

10 North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society WWW.NDCTWS.ORG

Award Nominations Requested

Each year the Chapter recognizes outstanding achievements at the Awards Banquet during the annual meeting. This banquet, when we pause to recognize the contributions of our peers, is truly the highlight of each annual meeting. Please take time this fall to nominate deserving candidates for The North Dakota Award, The North Dakota Wildlife Habitat Award, and Special Recognition Awards. We are fortunate in this state to have many dedicated and active individuals devoted to the stewardship of wildlife and their habitats. Take a few moments from your workdays to think about the best individuals you work with, and consider submitting a nomination to recognize their contributions. The North Dakota Award (Professional Award) is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution towards furthering the aims of professional wildlife endeavors in North Dakota. The North Dakota Wildlife Habitat Award is presented to an individual or group that has made a substantial contribution toward preserving and/or establishing high quality wildlife habitat in North Dakota. Special Recognition Awards are given to individuals or groups for their commitment to special projects, issues, or ongoing programs Concerning North Dakota’s natural resources. During the past few years individuals have been recognized for efforts concerning prairie education, media coverage of natural resource issues, and the conservation of North Dakota’s badlands. If you know an individual or group deserving of recognition for their contribution, please submit a written nomination. If an award candidate you nominated last year was not selected, please resubmit the nomination for consideration.

Nominations must be submitted by DECEMBER 1, 2009. Award nominations should be sent to:

Jane Austin US Geological Survey

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 8711 37th Street SE

Jamestown, ND 58401 jaustin@usgs.gov

701-253-5510

AWARDS NOMINATION FORM

Please follow this format when submitting a nomination.

Nominee: ______________________________________________________________ Award: Professional:_____ Wildlife Habitat: _____ Special Recognition: _____ Address: _______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Phone number: _________________________________________________________ Present position: ________________________________________________________ Education: ______________________________________________________________ Professional Career: _______________________________________________________ Nomination statement: A typed statement explaining why this individual or group is deserving of recognition. Please explain fully the single accomplishment or series of accomplishments that are noteworthy and should be acknowledged by the Chapter. Include information concerning other awards and honors received, involvement in Chapter and other professional and community organizations, and other relevant information that will help in the selection process. Pertinent news, clippings, letters, or documents to support the nomination may be attached. Submitted by: ____________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________Phone:_________________

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Make checks payable to North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Mail to: North Dakota Chapter TWS, PO Box 1442, Bismarck, ND 58502-1442

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 419

BISMARCK, ND 58501

NORTH DAKOTA CHAPTER OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER C/O SANDRA JOHNSON EDITOR P. O. BOX 1442 BISMARCK, ND 58502-1442 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

“To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee One clover, and a bee And revery The revery alone will do If bees are few” Emily Dickinson

Photo courtesy of Cami Dixon.