This is Part II of or our two part look at Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) preparedness and prevention in the Northeast. In this episode we will hear from the leading experts on how a number of different states, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts, to be precise, are positioning the state wildlife agencies to be prepared for Chronic Wasting Disease.

Guests Include

Krysten Schuler, PhD. Department of Public & Ecosystem Health. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Martin Feehan, PhD. Deer & Moose Project Leader. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Dylan Ferreira. Principal Wildlife Biologist, Deer & NE Cottontail Rabbits. Rhode Island Fish & Wildlife

Nathan Bieber. Wildlife Biologist, White-tailed Deer. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Nick Fortin. Wildlife Biologist - Deer & Moose Project Leader. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

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Cornell Wildlife Health Lab

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In this episode we are going to explore Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) preparedness and prevention in the Northeast. As you might know, the Northeast is currently the last CWD free region in the country. We’ll hear from experts in zoonotic disease and learn some of the ways that state agencies and BHA are working to protect our wild deer herds and quite possibly the future of deer hunting and conservation as we know it in the Northeast

Guests Include

Krysten Schuler, PhD. Department of Public & Ecosystem Health. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Mike Woods. New England BHA Chapter Chair.

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Cornell Wildlife Health Lab

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In this episode, we delve into the fascinating field of Human Dimensions in wildlife and natural resources management. Discover how this discipline is shaping informed decision-making among state and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Whether you’re already familiar with the Human Dimensions or hearing about it for the first time, you'll learn how it’s helping to address some of our most pressing conservation challenges.

Guests Include

Josh Morse, PhD. University of Vermont

Jody Simoes, Ph.D. Human Dimensions Project Coordinator. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Shelby Perry. Wildlands Ecology Director. Northeast Wilderness Trust.

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Journal Article: Ecosystem service assessment of coyote stories reveals tradeoffs from human–coyote interactions in rural Vermont, United States. Conservation Science and Practice. Joshua W. Morse, Cheryl E. Morse, Rachelle K. Gould. October 2024.

Northeast Wilderness Trust

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

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In Part II of our look at brook trout we are going to hear from fisheries managers and state officials from around the Northeast and learn how climate change is influencing brook trout management and fishing regulations.

Guests Include

Adam Kautza. Coldwater Fishery Resource Project Leader. MassWildlife.

John MaGee. Program Supervisor for the Inland Fisheries Division. NH Fish & Game

Mason Trumble. Deputy Commissioner - Environmental Conservation. CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Brian Eltz. Senior Fisheries Biologist. CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Fred Henson. Cold Water Fisheries Unit Leader. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Nate Camp. BHA Volunteer/Tenkara Wizard

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Journal Article: Concurrent warming and browning eliminate cold-water fish habitat in many temperate lakes. Stephen F. Jane, Thomas M. Detmer, Siena Lr. Larrick, and Siena L. Larrick. 2024.

Benjamin H. Letcher USGS Profile

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Episode Preview Description

Today, we’re diving into the world of brook trout - how they’re being affected by our changing climate, and what that means for the future. We are also going to take some time to appreciate this incredible species. Ongoing research here in the Northeast is revealing some amazing insights into the resilience and adaptability of these beloved fish.

Guests Include

Adam Kautza. Coldwater Fishery Resource Project Leader. MassWildlife.

Stephen Jane, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Fellow. University of Notre Dame

Benjamin Letcher, Ph.D. Ecologist. USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center.

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Journal Article: Concurrent warming and browning eliminate cold-water fish habitat in many temperate lakes. Stephen F. Jane, Thomas M. Detmer, Siena Lr. Larrick, and Siena L. Larrick. 2024.

Benjamin H. Letcher USGS Profile

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In this episode of the Conservation Cooperative, we’re going to look at how roads impact wildlife, the role that wildlife crossings can play on the landscape, and how the New York Wildlife Crossings Act, which is on the verge of becoming law, could make a big impact for both animals and people.

Guests Include

Ben Goldfarb. Award Winning Journalist and Author of Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet

Kate Cleary, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies. SUNY Potsdam. Acting President of Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative.

Erin Sito. U.S. Public Policy Director. Wildlands Network.

Brian Bird, Ph.D. New England, New York, New Jersey Chapter Coordinator. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

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New York Newsletter Signup

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We are talking striped bass, the most sought after fish on the eastern seaboard. Often described as “everyman’s fish” it’s pursued by an extraordinarily wide range of anglers. Those anglers could be shorebound, or they could be on a million dollar center console. A lot of people also fish for stripers, NOAA estimates over 20 million trips a season, and so, the fishery has a significant cultural and economic impact up and down the coast. Once hailed as a conservation success story, now, the future of the stock is in question.

In this episode we’ll dive into the latest science that will inform future management decisions and look at the different factors that fishery managers are considering. In addition, we’ll discuss how New England and New York BHA are working to restore future abundance of this fish we love.

Huge thank you to our guests!

Guests Include

Charles Witek. Conservationist and Fisheries Policy Expert. NY BHA Policy Team Member.

Mike Woods. New England BHA Chapter Chair.

Ben Gahagan, PhD. Recreational Fisheries Program Leader. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Kimberly Fine. Fisheries Biologist. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Will Poston. Policy Associate. American Saltwater Guides Association

Nichola Meserve. Fishery Policy Analyst, Interstate Management. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

Show Related Links

Citizen Science Data Portal - MA Division of Marine Fisheries

Citizen Scientist Information Page - MA Division of Marine Fisheries

Sportfish Angler Data Collection Team - MA Division of Marine Fisheries

Charles Witek’s Blog - One Angler’s Voyage

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Our first episode looks at an issue that the New England Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) has been grappling with for a few years, the rapid development of recreation trails and their encroachment on wild places. We’ll explore some of the factors that are driving trail development in the state of Vermont and how it impacts the conservation of our wildlands and wildlife. This is a huge topic and one we’ll perhaps return to in the future. Consider this episode your primer on the topic.

Big thank you to everyone who came to the table to discuss this topic.

Ethan Dreisigacker. New England BHA Board Member

Meredith Naughton. Wildlife Biologist

Allison Adams. Director. Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative (FEMC)

Dave Furman. New England BHA Member

Andrea Shortsleeve. Private Lands Habitat Biologist. Vermont Fish & Wildlife

Nick Bennette. Executive Director. Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA)

RJ Thompson. Executive Director. Vermont Huts Association

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