Register online using one of the links above and select Payment with Purchase Order.

Send your Purchase Order to Treasurer Blake Murden at treasurer@tctws.org.

Once you receive your invoice confirming that your registration has been processed, please send the invoice along with a check or money order made payable to Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society and mail it to:

TCTWS Treasurer
405 Lander Ln
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

When sending purchase orders for group registrations, please specify the names of all individuals included in the purchase order.

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Dr. Gabriel Andrade, Stephen F. Austin State University

Description:

Imperfect detection occurs when a species is present at a site but is not detected during sampling. Failing to account for imperfect detection can lead to misleading ecological conclusions and poor management decisions.

This introductory workshop is designed for students and professionals interested in learning how occupancy models can address imperfect detection in wildlife research. Participants will explore the fundamental components of single-species occupancy models and the types of data required to estimate detection and occupancy probabilities.

Through a hands-on exercise in R using the unmarked package, participants will learn how to:

• Fit basic occupancy models
• Evaluate model performance
• Correctly interpret results
• Apply findings to ecological, conservation, and wildlife management decision-making

Date:
February 18, 2026

Schedule:
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Maximum Number of Participants:
25

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
No cost

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speakers:
Terry Anderson and Marc Moss, Conservation Equity Partners

Description:

Where the ocean meets the land, participants will explore the quiet marsh habitat of one of Texas’ most elusive birds, the Eastern Black Rail. This secretive marsh-dwelling species has experienced a population decline of more than 50% over the past 50 years and is currently listed as endangered in Texas. Much of this decline is the result of the loss and fragmentation of coastal marsh habitat. Join Conservation Equity Partners’ Terry Anderson and Marc Moss for a guided field trip to Chocolate Bay, where participants will visit the newly established Black Rail conservation bank and the Frentress-Johnson West Bay Mitigation Bank.

Participants will learn about:

• The unique ecology of the Eastern Black Rail
• Threats and conservation challenges facing the species
• Habitat restoration efforts designed to support population recovery
• The concept of conservation banking
• How mitigation banks operate
• The role mitigation and conservation banks play in protecting at-risk species and critical ecosystems

Note: Participants must provide their own transportation or arrange a carpool.

Date:
February 18, 2026

Schedule:
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Maximum Number of Participants:
25

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
No cost

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Dr. Heather Mathewson, Tarleton State University

Description:

For many in our field we often deal with large datasets filled with mistakes, missing data, or nuances that take hours for us to correct before we can even think about starting our analyses. In my experience, we too often fail to give adequate attention to data management, which includes anything from initial database design, quality assurance, data integrity, and manipulations for analyses and presentation. I designed this course for anyone who is new to R, as well as for those who could use some information on how to manage their data and turn a messy dataset into an organized archive for actual use. I will cover: 1) entering a dataset into R and understanding basics of R and RStudio, 2) quality checks and how to manage mistakes or missing data, 3) basic database design and manipulation, and 4) creating descriptive statistics for presentation in tables and figures. I will review some of the more popular R packages such as tidyverse and ggplot and introduce some less known but useful packages. I will use examples from my past research to demonstrate how I have managed messy datasets derived from camera traps, vegetation measurements, and nest monitoring. I encourage participants to bring a laptop to follow along. You will need to download R and RStudio. Prior to the workshop I will send out instructions for downloading the programs, the files that we will use in the workshop, and my reference guide.

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and follow along throughout the workshop. R and RStudio will need to be installed prior to the workshop. Instructions for downloading the software, workshop datasets, and a reference guide will be provided before the event.

Date:
February 18, 2026

Schedule:
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Maximum Number of Participants:
50

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
No cost

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Dr. Sarah Fritts, Texas State University

Description:

Join this workshop to learn more about the process of becoming an Associate Wildlife Biologist (AWB) or Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB) from a member of The Wildlife Society’s Certification Review Board.

The workshop will begin with a brief presentation covering the certification application process, including requirements and application procedures. Following the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in an open discussion format.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring applications that are currently in progress and receive guidance or assistance with the certification process.

Date:
February 18, 2026

Schedule:
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Maximum Number of Participants:
50

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
No cost

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Chris Schenck, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Description:

This workshop is designed for students and natural resource professionals who have limited experience with prescribed fire. Participants will have the opportunity to observe and learn from an actual prescribed burn, provided weather and site conditions are suitable for safe burning operations. Following the burn, attendees will participate in a classroom session that includes discussion of key concepts and lessons related to prescribed fire management.As with any prescribed fire operation, conditions may not always be favorable. If a prescribed burn cannot be conducted, an alternative learning plan will be implemented to ensure participants still receive valuable training and instruction.

Date:
February 18, 2026

Schedule:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Maximum Number of Participants:
20

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
No cost

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speakers:
Joseph Richards and Dave Richards

Description:

As you progress in your wildlife career, you will witness incredible encounters with wildlife in the field and the essence of wild places. Outdoor photography can serve as a vital tool for wildlife communicators and professionals. Carrying a camera, documenting your observations, and capturing your story can lead to increased enjoyment and engagement in the field. In this workshop, we will discuss the basic ingredients for composing photography images, techniques for interpreting animal behavior, and the art of conservation storytelling. This course requires no previous experience with photographing wildlife, and all experience levels are encouraged to participate. We hope this course will enhance your skillset and enthusiasm for carrying a camera afield.

Date:
February 18, 2026

Schedule:
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Maximum Number of Participants:
25

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
No cost

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Dr. Reuber Antoniazzi, Stephen F. Austin State University

Description:

Beta diversity measures how species composition varies across space and time, complementing alpha diversity to reveal patterns of species turnover and nestedness, as well as their partitioning across different scales that single-site metrics overlook. The course will cover various scales of analysis and compare common metrics, explaining when and why to use each one. The second part of the class is a hands-on session in R using packages like vegan and betapart to calculate dissimilarity matrices, partition turnover versus nestedness, beta dispersion, and other metrics, providing participants with a practical workflow they can apply to their own data.

Date:
February 18, 2026

Schedule:
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Maximum Number of Participants:
10

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
No cost

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Wildlife Acoustics Staff

Description:

Sound analysis is increasingly becoming a valuable tool for biologists, environmental scientists and managers for surveying and monitoring wildlife populations. It is currently used to aid in resource management, habitat health assessment, regulatory compliance goals, animal behavior studies and even documenting the effects of climate change. Bioacoustics is a non-invasive, cost-effective and unbiased method for studying animal presence. Biologists all over the world have made the Song Meter platform the standard for bioacoustics recording with over 150,000 recorders deployed in 90 countries. Join us for a hands-on session with our Song Meters! Learn how to setup, configure and deploy for a successful bioacoustics project.

Date:
2.18.2026

Schedule:
9am-11am

Number of Participants:
25

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
None

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Shane Kiefer (CEO Plateau Land & Wildlife Management) and Plateau Wildlife & Land Management Staff

Description:

With more than 95% of Texas under private ownership, meaningful conservation relies on strong, informed relationships between landowners and the professionals who support them. This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of both the 1-d-1 Wildlife Management (1-d-1W) tax valuation process and the communication strategies needed to successfully engage private landowners across the state. Participants will learn the essential steps landowners must take for their property to qualify for 1-d-1W valuation, along with clear guidance on conveying the program’s requirements, benefits, and long-term conservation value. Because questions about 1-d-1W frequently arise in day-to-day interactions with landowners, the session offers a straightforward, easy-to-understand explanation of the valuation process and equips you with practical information to share as landowners consider whether the program aligns with their goals. In addition, the workshop explores broader best practices for building trust and fostering productive, lasting partnerships with private landowners. You will gain tools for initiating effective conversations, understanding landowner motivations, and tailoring recommendations to a wide range of property objectives, from ranching and recreation to habitat management, restoration, and legacy planning. Common questions and challenges faced by landowners will also be discussed, along with strategies for providing respectful, relevant, and impactful support.

Date:
2.18.2026

Schedule:
8am-noon

Number of Participants:
100

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
None

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Agency and Private Sector Employees

Description:

This workshop will provide students with some tips and advice on applying for jobs both in the government and private sectors. How to fill out applications and what prospective employers are looking for in entry level positions will be discussed between representatives from government agencies and private companies in natural resource management fields. We will also touch on education vs experience, advanced degrees, and what day to day work looks like for different positions within the wildlife field. There will be time allotted for Q&A session.

Date:
2.18.2026

Schedule:
9am-noon

Number of Participants:
50

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
None

Workshop Contact:
Activities@tctws.org

Speaker:
Anne Bartuszevige

Description:

This workshop will provide students with some tips and advice on applying for jobs both in the government The IMBCR (Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions) program is a west-wide breeding bird monitoring program that has been in existence since 2008 and has been implemented in the short and mixed grass prairie regions of Texas since 2016. The IMBCR protocol uses a spatially balanced sampling design to allocate 1km2 sample units evenly across a landscape (Pavlacky et all. 2017). IMBCR data can be used to calculate density, occupancy, and trend estimates for hundreds of bird species. Because of the widespread data collection, these data have been used to answer broad-scale conservation questions and develop decision support tools.

This workshop will be divided into three sections. In the first section, we will provide an overview of the IMBCR program and how to access and apply population estimates for Texas geographies of interest through the Rocky Mountain Avian Data Center (RMADC). In the second and third sections we will introduce two new decision support tools, GOT Birds and the Central Grassland Bird Working Group Integrated population models. We will explain how the tools are intended to be used and provide some Texas-specific conservation scenarios participants will work through to demonstrate how the models can be used in decision-making.

Date:
2.18.2026

Schedule:
8am-noon

Number of Participants:
25

Prerequisite:
None

Cost:
None