Conference Themes

Our intent is to address a wide variety of topics that are critical to the state of the HDFW profession. Conference partners have developed the following list of potential topics and themes to be addressed at the conference.

Reflecting on the growth of a profession

  • Describing the past, present and future of HDFW
  • Defining of the scope and limitations of HD
  • Differentiating between the “art” and “science” of HDFW

Improving HDFW science and application

  • Applying HD science with illustrations of best practice applications
  • Identifying the highest priority goals for HD science based research
  • Advancing new models for HD science (micro-macro scales)
  • Illustrating the value of regional HD science
  • Recognizing the pitfalls of advocacy in HD science

Demonstrating the “best practices” of HDFW

  • An integrated versus a multi disciplinary approach
  • The practicality of integrating an HD perspective and a biological perspective
  • Integrated approaches to human wildlife conflict (HWC)
  • Successful HD implementation through evaluation
  • Hunting as ecotourism and a conservation tool
  • Landscape and site level integration of GIS
  • Wildlife in an ecosystem services paradigm
  • Applying economics in allocation decisions

Increasing HDFW capacity

  • Describing the state of academic based educational opportunities/programs
  • Identifying the most effective ways to provide HD expertise to agencies
  • Embracing HD in the agency: Organizational capacity to deal with HD needs
  • Developing effective interdisciplinary teams in HDFW

Structuring public involvement

  • Bringing diverse, opposing and unengaged interests together in planning
  • Identifying the efficacy public participation techniques
  • Exploring the roles and responsibilities of an agency in a co-management context
  • Building successful community based conservation initiatives
  • Understanding the pros and cons of community processes (including private landowners)
  • Community based management in different countries

Meeting the public trust doctrine

  • Understanding the basis for the HD mandate
  • Balancing the dual mandate of people and resource
  • Assessing the needs of future generations

Understanding the implications of social, economic and demographic changes

  • Dealing with population growth and increasing wildlife conflict
  • Balancing conservation and development
  • Institutional changes and the effects on wildlife management
  • Balancing local interests in the context of globalization and external influences

Using HDFW to address enduring issues

  • Understanding recreational access to hunting and fishing opportunities
  • Perspectives on declining fishing and hunter participation
  • Dealing with conflict among consumptive and non-consumptive users
  • Obtaining funding for fish and wildlife management
  • Dealing with the black market and poaching
  • Improving conservation of biological diversity through HD