Wildlife Habitat Committee

The Wildlife Habitat Committee (WHC) has a defined mission and driven members that make it among the most productive groups in SRM. The committee was created in 1991 to address wildlife issues and provide a forum for SRM members interested in the subject. Goals were formalized 10 years later with the mission to make known the ecology and management behind wildlife habitat issues, to foster relationships with wildlife interests and to provide vision and solutions for wildlife habitat challenges. This mission has been addressed by joint sponsorship of symposia with other professional societies and committees within SRM, publication and development of numerous symposia.

The WHC promotes interaction with non-SRM groups to exchange views and to make others aware of SRM at the local and international levels. For example, a joint symposium was held with the American Fisheries Society at their 2001 annual meeting. The WHC has also sponsored events with other SRM committees, such as the Riparian-Watershed Committee and encourages joint meetings at the chapter and section levels of professional societies.

The majority of WHC efforts have been invested in publications and the development of symposia. The largest single publication was the book, Rangeland Wildlife. The vision of the committee is demonstrated by the publication of a sage grouse synthesis paper and an essay on black-tailed prairie dogs when many western states were developing sage grouse and prairie dog management plans to keep the animals from being listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Membership in the committee is open, requiring only attendance of the meeting at the SRM Annual Meeting or a written request. The WHC has maintained about 30 members in recent years, but welcomes all interested and ready to contribute.

The Wildlife Habitat Committee continues to organize and support Symposia for the SRM Annual meeting.