2012-2013 TWS Officers

President: Dave Keiter
Vice President: Peter Iacono
Treasurer: Vincent Mangino
Secretary: Karen Archer
Executive Officer: Bill Dell'Isola Executive Officer:Rhiana Schwartzott

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Cohen
Graduate Student Advisor: Sara Hansen

Email, Facebook and Mailing List

• Facebook page
• Email: TWSatESF@syr.edu
• TWSatESF Mailing List: To subscribe, simply send an email to TWSatESF-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@listserv.syr.edu

TWS at ESF: The SUNY ESF student chapter of The Wildlife Society

• ESF Coursework and TWS Certification

TWS is a professional organization dedicated to "promoting excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education." We are a very active chapter and hold regular biweekly meetings throughout the academic year focusing on wildlife related discussions, activities, and events. All students are welcome to get involved with TWS, you do not have to be a wildlife major to join!

Becoming a due paying member enables you to participate in all club activities and take advantage of club supported travel to the Student Conclave and state chapter meetings and workshops. Dues can be paid by single semester ($10 each) or for the entire year ($15).

Here are just a few of the great reasons to get involved with TWS at ESF

• Job Opportunities—TWS is a great network to tap into for receiving job announcements, learning about different careers in wildlife, and even meeting potential employers. We often use meetings as a time to focus on concerns members have about job hunting, resume and cover letter writing, professional networking, tips for acing interviews, and how to tailor your education and experience to build the right career for you.
• Quiz bowl—Put your wildlife trivia to the test! The ESF wildlife quiz bowl team successfully competes at state, regional, and national events each year. We practice biweekly during fall and weekly during spring. Beginners are encouraged to join in and sharpen their skills toward future quiz bowl glory!
• Beast Feast—Held in February each year, the Beast Feast is a potluck style event focused on sharing the bounty of wild harvested game and sustainably raised meat and produce found in New York. The faculty, staff, and students of EFB are invited to put their best recipes forward to compete for the coveted title of Best Beast at the Feast.
• Hunting Committee—Want to learn more about hunting? Have questions about preparing wild game? Interested in helping bring home the bacon for Beast Feast? This is the committee to be on!
• T-shirt contest—Each fall, TWS students get the chance to show off their artistic talents and vote for their favorite design. Winning designs will be paraded around campus for years to come!
• Speakers—We host guest speakers throughout the year highlighting different aspects of the wildlife profession.
  • Fall—Careers In Wildlife - past speakers have included NYSDEC biologists, regional and national TWS officials, wildlife veterinarians, research biologists, and private sector wildlife professionals.
  • Spring—Graduate School Discussion Panel - comprised of graduate students in the wildlife program at ESF ready to answer your questions about the entire process
• Certified Wildlife Biologist Program—information session presented by Gordon Batchellor, NYSDEC Wildlife Bureau Chief and member of TWS's Certification Board.
• Professional Meetings
  • Fall—TWS National Conference: Held annually in October, students have the opportunity to participate in workshops and discussions with experts in the field, attend professional research presentations, present their research at a student oriented poster session and support the ESF quiz bowl team at the national quiz bowl competition! This conference is a great opportunity to interact with prospective employers, graduate advisors, and other TWS student chapters. Conference locations include Portland, OR (2012), Kona, HI (2011), Snowbird, UT (2010), and Monterrey, CA (2009).
  • Spring—New York Chapter Meeting: Each March, the wildlifers of New York gather to discuss current trends and new directions of wildlife research and management in New York State. Come meet the professionals from federal, state, local, non-profit, and academic institutions that keep New York's wildlife moving in the right direction and cheer on the quiz bowl team as they compete at the state quiz bowl championship!
• Northeast Student Conclave—Held annually in April, Conclave is a unique opportunity to join other student chapters within the NE Section for a 3-day series of workshops, hands-on training, and activities and root on ESF at the regional quiz bowl championship! Past host universities include SUNY Cobleskill and U of Maine at Orono.
• Field Trips—TWS regularly organizes a variety of trips including
  • Elk viewing in PA (early fall)
  • Waterfowl and Hawk watching at Montezuma NWR and Derby Hill (spring and fall migration)
  • Duck banding at Montezuma NWR (fall)
  • Firearms training at Cornell's Arnot Forest (fall; hosted by the Cornell TWS and NYSDEC)
  • Fisher and marten tracking in the Adirondacks (winter)
  • Page Wildlife Rehab Center in Manlius
  • Skeet shooting in Jamesville