Thursday July 26, 8am – 12pm, Pier 8, $10

Session Abstract:

This workshop will introduce the HexSim simulation model (www.hexsim.net), and will stress its applications to species-landscape interactions, demography, and genetics.  HexSim allows users to construct PVA and other types of models without having to write computer code.  Models developed in HexSim can range from simple or hypothetical to complex and ecologically realistic.  HexSim is spatially-explicit, individual-based, multi-population, multi-stressor, and is ideal for exploring the impacts of interacting disturbance regimes on wildlife and plants.  HexSim will be useful for many conservation and management efforts, for research into stressor interactions, disease ecology, landscape genetics, source-sink interactions and landscape connectivity, and many other topics.  HexSim runs on Windows, is distributed free of charge, has a complete graphical user interface, and comes with documentation and worked examples.  This workshop will be led by the model developer.  The workshop will begin with an overview of HexSim applications and strategies.  We will then use a combination of lecture materials and hands-on examples to introduce model design, the running of simulations, and the analysis of model results.  All training materials will be provided.  Participants need only bring a laptop computer running Windows.

Sunday July 22, 1:30 – 4:30, Dockside 4, $10

Proposed Theme and Justification:

Science should provide the foundation for evidence-based decision-making around conservation issues, both in characterizing problems and in informing the manner in which they are addressed. However, in practice, this process does not always work as well as it could. The proposed workshop will explore the mechanics of how science can be used to inform and influence real policy change. We will cover an overview of general science advocacy and policy-based campaign strategies, introducing topics such as: choosing your audience or decision-maker, power mapping, how to choose between creating change via outside pressure or inside politics ,and how to augment a message to fit the public, the media, and decision-makers. We will have a four speakers give concrete examples of when and how they effectively used their research to make policy change; we will then lead participants through workshopping their own research and/or conservation policy challenge; and finally share some of these workshopping results with the group. This hands on workshop will leave participants with new tools and increased confidence taking their research out of the ivory tower and into the hands of decision-makers. This directly addresses the conference theme of how to better link conservation science with policy and practice. We think that NACCB attendees will welcome the opportunity to learn and apply new tools for using their science to inform conservation policy.

Sunday July 22, 8:30am – 12:30pm, Pier 3, $20

Session Abstract:

Social media tools have revolutionized how people communicate with one another, with massive implications for conservation and resource management professionals. In this hands-on workshop, suitable for true beginners or intermediate users hoping to learn more advanced skills, users will learn tips, tricks, and strategies for communicate conservation biology in an increasingly digital world.

Dr. David Shiffman is an award-winning science communicator and has taught this workshop on five continents. Bring a laptop, and bring your questions!

Saturday July 21, 9am – 5pm & Sunday, July 22, 8:30am – 4:30pm, Dockside 3, $40

Session Abstract:

The objective of this workshop is to teach participants the overarching philosophy, underlying principles, and specific steps of effective conservation planning based on the globally-used Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation. The training will emphasize how to identify key and desired conservation and human well-being outcomes, develop ecological models, construct a situation diagram (a model of the contributing factors from the human environment that influence conservation outcomes), incorporate empirical data and expert knowledge, integrate monitoring and adaptive management in conservation projects, and develop plans for changing and novel conditions. In addition to improving attendees’ effectiveness in the planning and practicing of conservation, the workshop will provide valuable tools for preparing grant applications, evaluating project plans, and communicating with funding agencies, the scientific community, and laypersons.

Each section typically involves introducing and teaching key Open Standards concepts, a working session (typically in breakout groups) where students apply these concepts to real-world projects, presentation of breakout group working session findings to the class, and subsequent discussion and group feedback.  Ideally, the practice projects are provided by the attending conservation biologists for use as case studies during the course. Sessions may include demonstrations illustrating the corresponding use of Miradi Software, though we will primarily focus on learning and practicing the Open Standards process as opposed to the finer points of software manipulation.

Session Abstract:

This workshop will introduce attendees to demographic analysis using matrix population models (MPMs), and applying those analyses to real datasets using an open-access repository of demographic information. MPMs describe the dynamics of a population in discrete time by presenting annual survival and fecundity rates for each life history stage for a population (e.g. age classes, size classes, developmental stages). MPMs can be used to calculate many demographic metrics including life expectancy, stage-specific reproductive values, and the most important stage(s) to population growth. MPMs can also be used in population viability analyses (PVAs) to project population dynamics under different conservation scenarios and compare management options. The sister databases COMPADRE and COMADRE (http://www.compadre-db.org) contain thousands of MPMs compiled from the literature for hundreds of plant and animal species. They are therefore valuable resources for obtaining quantitative life history information and for informing species management. During this 3-hr workshop, attendees will be given a brief introductory course in MPM analysis using R and in using the COM(P)ADRE data set, which will be provided as a structured R object. The attendees will apply these skills in a set of exercises to obtain data from COM(P)ADRE, analyze a set of MPM data, and address one or more examples of conservation questions. Attendees are expected to have at least introductory-level skills in R programming, and to bring to the session their own laptop with the most up-to-date version of R installed.

Sunday July 22, 9am -11am, Pier 2, $10

Session Abstract:

Would you like your students to be more civically engaged, but don’t know where to start, or are nervous about the perception of bias in the classroom? This workshop is for college and high school educators who would like to learn how to increase their students’ abilities to connect coursework to their civic lives. Civic engagement is the use of knowledge, skills, and values, to develop motivation to make a positive difference in communities through political and non-political processes. The goal of this workshop is to teach participants how to integrate civic engagement into their classrooms to enhance student learning and create civically engaged citizens. Because conservation science informs local, national, and international policies and practice, conservation scientists must be able to engage themselves and their communities in civic life. Science apps are on the rise, but it is often difficult to create an assignment around an app while at the same time creating an opportunity for civic engagement. This workshop is geared towards college educators, but the information could be used by high school science teachers. Participants will learn how to use the iNaturalist app as part of a civically engaged conservation assignment. Participants will learn how to integrate civic engagement into assignments and assess student work and reflection in a quantitative manner by working with civic engagement rubrics from the Association of American Colleges & Universities to enhance educational outcomes in their courses.

Sunday July 22, 8:30am – 4:30pm, Pier 8, $40

*includes catered coffee & tea selection

Session Abstract:

The need to understand the knowledge and interests of people affected by conservation decision-making has generated increased interest in the application of social sciences to conservation. However, practitioners often lack expertise on how to effectively collect data from a diversity of audiences using social science methods. The purpose of this workshop is to provide participants with an introductory training in qualitative data collection and analysis methods. Specifically, the morning session will focus on qualitative epistemologies and research problem identification using examples from the participants’ work. The afternoon session will provide an opportunity for participants to identify and practice specific strategies for data collection (e.g., interviewing, participatory mapping, photo elicitation) and analysis (e.g., coding and overview of computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software). We will also discuss how the process of qualitative research can serve as a tool to engage stakeholders. By the end of this workshop, participants will understand the role of qualitative research in a variety of situations, and will be able to (1) Demonstrate skills in collecting and analyzing qualitative data using photoelicitation, interviewing, and participatory mapping, (2) select a tailored methodological approach for a conservation social science problem, and (3) describe how social science results can inform both conservation actions and strategies for communicating with and engaging diverse audiences.

Thursday July 26, 9am – 5pm, Dockside 4, $10

Session Abstract:

Habitat connectivity is a cornerstone of conservation, and in the past decade, modeling techniques have blossomed. Many of these techniques work to first map the important places on the landscape that need to be connected (cores), then map the swaths of land that connect them (linkages).  Many tools quantify the value of each path within a linkage (e.g. Linkage Mapper’s Corridor Tool), and the portions of a linkage that get dangerously narrow  (e.g. Linkage Mapper’s Pinchpoint Mapper).  The newly released Linkage Mapper v2.0 also models the relative priority of all the linkages of a given landscape. This workshop briefly introduces you to the broad array of resistance-based connectivity modeling tools available, then does a “deep dive” into Linkage Mapper.  We teach you how to use the new Linkage Priority Tool, understand important nuances for application, and how to combine with all the other other Linkage Mapper outputs (some of which call Circuitscape, a complementary tool). We also provide time for hands on use and help, so bring your laptop if you can.

The Linkage Priority Tool is based on weighted combinations among many factors. The first set of factors estimate the relative priority of the two cores at either end of a linkage. An assumption is that a linkage which connects two really important core areas is more important than one that connects two marginal core areas. The second set of factors relate directly to linkage priority, including the permeability of a linkage, the proximity, the centrality (i.e. how central the linkage is to the entire network), and an expert opinion option. Users can also include climate-wise decision-making, giving higher priority to linkages that span a climate gradient, facilitating species range shifts over decades and centuries. Users can also give higher value to cores with higher amount of climate refugia.