2018 MoBCI Annual Conference

Celebrating “The Year of the Bird”
August 24–25, 2018 • Columbia, Missouri
Peachtree Catering & Banquet Center

Friday, August 24

Saturday, August 25

The Beginnings of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: A Loss for Missouri Equals a Historic Win for Conservation. Andy Raedeke, MDC Resource Scientist.

Improvements in the Environmental Analysis and Decision Making process with the USFS. A history of how this administrative process has evolved with unintended consequences, suggested improvements, what these improvements could mean, and how we can advocate to promote these needed adjustments to improve our ability to more effectively manage USFS lands. Theresa Davidson Forest Wildlife Program Manager, Mark Twain National Forest.

Proposed Changes to the Farm Bill. A history of the evolution of the conservation title of the Farm Bill, key programs within it, proposed future improvements, and how to advocate for support of these critical programs. Lauren Cartwright, Environmental Quality Incentive Program Coordinator and acting Assistant State Conservationist of Programs for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The “new way” to manage for quail. Recent evidence indicates that “traditional” quail management is showing significantly poorer results in boosting quail populations than currently accepted prairie management techniques. Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Management Biologists.

History of Change at Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge. How the 1993 and 1995 floods changed a significant portion of Missouri’s important landscape. Anna Weyers, Wildlife Refuge Specialist Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge.

An update on the Migratory Bird Action Team and other Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation programs and initiatives. Kevin Roper, Executive Director of Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.

Motus Wildlife Tracking System in Missouri. Advances in technology are changing the way we track birds and their migrations. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System provides a rare opportunity for birding organizations and agencies to directly support research and for researchers to learn more about birds that use Missouri during migration and hone in on where they go during the winter. Sarah Kendrick Missouri Department of Conservation State Ornithologist.

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Details behind a potentially significant addition to dedicated funding for conservation and what we can do to ensure its successful passage. Ron Regan, Executive Director Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Monarch Management Efforts. Speaker will cover the connectivity to bird management, what has been accomplished as well as what is planned. Monarch Working Group.

Audience discusses issues covered during the conference and provides next steps to be considered by the organization. (Moderated by Brandon Butler, Conservation Federation of Missouri. Butler will introduce the session with legislative updates and other pertinent information)

Wrap-up and closing comments summarize ways we can make a difference for birds

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

Hosted by MoBCI partner Columbia Audubon Society. If interested, meet the group at Katy Trail parking lot (trailhead at McBaine). Bring your own drinking water and snacks.