Arizona Chapter named 2024 TWS Chapter of the Year – The Wildlife Society
A dedicated chapter focuses on building conservation links with Tribal communities
The Wildlife Society has named its Arizona Chapter the 2024 Chapter of the Year after its success in building and growing relationships with federal, state and Tribal partners.
Sarah Rinkevich, a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and past president of the Arizona Chapter of The Wildlife Society (AZTWS) said: “I can’t think of a chapter that suits me better. “We are all proud to have received this award. The dedication given by chapter members throughout the year is unmatched. ”
Among the chapter’s many accomplishments in the past year, its 2024 Annual Conference, a joint conference with the New Mexico and Arizona Chapters of TWS and the New Mexico Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, stands out. . The event boasted of attendees, including experts from both states. Attendees represented the US Fish and Wildlife Service, APHIS-Wildlife Services, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and TWS Southwest Section.
The conference theme, “Wildlife Management on Tribal Lands,” featured many Tribal partners, including speakers from the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife and the San Carlos Apache Tribe. among others.
“Geographically, tribal lands make up about 29% of Arizona’s land, and we all share the same work,” Rinkevich said. “They want their resources protected and preserved just like we do, so we want to bring Tribal partners into our discussions so we can all learn from each other.”
The Arizona Chapter’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion does not end at their conference. Its diverse board of directors recruits wildlife and fisheries biologists and people of color for membership. Additionally, in 2022, the chapter board adopted a new AZTWS Award — the Tribal Conservationist Award — given to a Tribal natural resources director, biologist or expert who serves on behalf of a Native American Tribe and Arizona.
In an effort to share knowledge and expertise as well as promote wildlife conservation and education across the state, the Arizona Chapter continues to work to involve students and the general public in wildlife projects and activities. The initiative includes wildlife workshops and nationwide BioBlitz events, which call on the general public to go outside and document the plants and animals they find in their parks, neighborhoods and natural areas with the app of iNaturalist, often with the help of biologists.
Each April, the Arizona Chapter and the Arizona Department of Fish and Game host free wildlife management workshops, which give the next generation of natural resource managers the opportunity to learn tools and wildlife management practices. Although the workshop only happens once a year, Rinkevich said the Arizona Chapter offers young professionals scholarships and learning opportunities and supports TWS student chapters throughout the year.
“It’s all about sparking their interest and giving them the opportunity to work and be taught by different professionals,” Rinkevich said.
The Arizona Chapter hopes to increase membership each year, and the executive board is committed to recruiting at least one person to enroll by 2024.
“We are always looking to increase membership and continue to increase cooperation with our Tribal partners,” Rinkevich added. “We also hope to get more students interested in natural resources, whether they are in college or just graduated high school, to connect with TWS.”
Interested in learning more about the AZTWS Chapter and how to join? Visit their website.
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