About Us
Our Mission
To inspire and empower wildlife professionals* to engage in science-based management and conservation of wild animals and their habitats.
Our Members
Wildlife biology professionals, scientists, academics, students, communicators and citizen advocates throughout Alberta and western Canada.
Our Organization
We are a non-profit Chapter of the US-based The Wildlife Society. We have over 400 members and are governed by a volunteer board and coordinated by an executive director.
Our Activities
Create and foster a collaborative wildlife community of students, scientists, managers, and enthusiasts
Promote application of robust science in wildlife and habitat-related decision making
Enhance and empower our membership through diverse services and student supports
Develop, maintain, and model organizational efficiency
The key role of the ACTWS is to foster a professional culture among wildlife biologists that promotes science-based management and conservation of wildlife throughout Alberta.
Our Achievements
32 CONFERENCES
for wildlife professionals and students
30+ YEARS and >400 MEMBERS
advocating for science in wildlife management across Alberta
$175K+
of scholarships, travel grants, and student presentation awards given
20+ CAMPAIGNS
on wildlife and habitat issues from coal mining to species at risk management. Success in wetland policy, CWD testing, forestry planning, caribou recovery, and more
TWS LEADER
in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
2019
TWS Chapter of the Year
Executive
Remington Bracher
Student Director & Education and Information
Mark Boyce
Conservation Committee Chair
Ednna Stobschinski
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee Co-Chair
Volunteer Committees
So much of our work is addressed and accomplished with the help of dedicated members who volunteer their time and expertise to meet our mission. Our active committees are:
- Conservation Affairs
- Education and Information
- Membership
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Learn more about them on our Volunteer Committees page.
ACTWS Speakers Bureau
Provide a database of qualified scientists and managers to speak at an array of events and to groups of all ages. Please see our Speakers Bureau below to find a speaker perfect for your event. If you’re an expert, please sign up for our Bureau in the Members’ Area
| First Name | Last Name | City | Discipline | Areas of Expertise | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark | Boyce | Edmonton | Wildlife | Population ecology and conservation. Most research has been on large mammals but also on furbearers and birds. Recent research has included work on grizzly bears, black bears, Greater Sage-Grouse, waterfowl nest predation, sitatunga in Uganda, cougars, bighorn sheep, caribou, and elk. My current work is focused on grasslands in Canada and the best way to manage these lands for biodiversity, while maximizing carbon sequestration and storage. | https://grad.biology.ualberta.ca/boyce/ | |
John | Wilmshurst | Jasper | Wildlife | Wildlife conservation, grazing dynamics, protected areas management | ||
margo | pybus | Ardrossan | Wildlife | Integrating wildlife diseases & parasites into wildlife management decisions, policies, programs, and activities. Natural history of many things wild. | https://www.alberta.ca/wildlife-diseases-in-alberta.aspx | |
Aerin | Jacob | Canmore | Wildlife | landscape ecology, conservation biology, conservation and land-use planning, ecosystem services, human-wildlife conflict, species-at-risk, Yellowstone to Yukon region | www.y2y.net | |
Matt | Besko | Edmonton | Wildlife, Forestry | Wildlife Allocation and Use, Hunting, Management of Game species, forest wildlife ecology; public speaking, human cultural dimensions of wildlife management; Government Policy and Wildlife Management, historical ecology and use of natural foods, Biologist Humour, Cooking game and preparing/eating Wild Foods from around the world. Mostly eating. I’m an expert at eating. | Just Google: ‘Matt Besko Alberta’ |
