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Workshop Speakers
Learn more about the amazing speakers lined up for this year’s free workshops! (Note, these workshops will be held in the Polk County Commerce Center building. Seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis.)
Todd Sink, Ph.D.
Texas A&M Aquaculture Extension Specialist
Director, TAMU Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory
Dr Todd Sink has over 25 years of experience in aquaculture research and extension. Dr Sink earned his Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Science from Purdue University, and his PhD in Natural Resources, specializing in fish stress and disease physiology, from the University of Tennessee. After working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Tennessee and the University of Arkansas, he began his current position as an Associate Professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Dr Sink is also an Aquaculture Extension Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Director of the TAMU Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory, which is the only fish disease pathology and waterborne toxin testing laboratory in the state of Texas. His areas of programmatic extension expertise include aquaculture, private fisheries management, the Texas Master Naturalist program, water quality, aquatic vegetation management, and the Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory. He has delivered over 570 adult education Extension programs contributing 80,728 adult contact hours. The total adult education economic impact for programs estimated from post-program surveys is $11,408,550. He has developed a national (29 programs) and international (18 programs) reputation for his extension work and has numerous invited national and international programs.
In addition, he has conducted extensive international Extension programming in Uganda, South Africa, Belgium, Afghanistan, Israel, Mexico, and other countries.
Presentation Summary:
Fish Management Strategies – Join us for a 1 hour how-to educational program on fish management strategies for ponds and lakes as we cover the pond food chain, what it takes to grow abundant or large fish, fertilization programs, fish feeds and feeding fish, sampling the fish population, many common problems that can be found within a fish population, and how to determine if your pond is suffering from stunted fish. We will also cover the maximum fish production, trophy bass, trophy bluegill/sunfish, trophy
catfish, and black crappie management strategies that can be employed in your pond or lake.
Water Quality for Fisheries Management – Join us for a 1 hour how-to educational program on water quality for fisheries management as we cover what is water quality, water quality versus chemistry, why water quality is important, how to determine water quality, what is included in a water quality report and what it means for your fish, and how to amend common water quality issues.
Jared Schlottman
Texas Wildlife Association
Conservation Education Specialist
Jared Schlottman is a conservation education specialist for Texas Wildlife Association and an Associate Wildlife Biologist. Prior to his time with TWA, Jared worked for the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension/Research. In his current role, Jared travels the state conducting and speaking at various natural resource focused seminars, conferences, and field days. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and a Master’s degree in Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management both from Texas A&M University.
Presentation Summary:
Will be presenting on 1-D-1 Wildlife Exemptions on Small Acreage Properties.
Briana Nicklow
Texas Wildlife Association
Texas Youth Hunting Program East Texas Field Operations Coordinator
Briana Nicklow is the East Texas Field Operations Coordinator for the Texas Youth Hunting Program, where she oversees aspects of the Program, including volunteers, youth, and landowners in order to conduct safe and fun youth hunts across the state of Texas. Through the Texas Youth Hunting Program, Briana works with landowners and volunteers to coordinate and plan opportunities for youth to learn about population management of game species, shooting safety, and wildlife biology. Briana believes that by engaging the youth of Texas in the outdoors and teaching them to be safe and ethical hunters, they will become stewards of the land and a generation of future conservationists. Briana holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University and is a certified Huntmaster with the Texas Youth Hunting Program, as well as a Hunter Education Area Chief with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Presentation Summary:
Learn about Texas Wildlife Association, the Texas Youth Hunting Program, and opportunities to get plugged in as a hunter, volunteer, and landowner! Since its inception in 1996, The Texas Youth Hunting Program has taken over 30,000 youth into the field. Come be a part of what we do!
Schyler Rhea
Wildlife Habitat Federation Conservationist
Schyler Rhea joined WHF in 2023 to assist in the planning and implementation of habitat conservation efforts within the Greater-Houston and Texas Gulf Coast region to public and private landowners. Prior to joining WHF, Schyler managed natural areas as a conservation intern with Houston Parks and Recreation Department, assisted with habitat management and outreach at Coastal Prairie Conservancy, and participated in habitat conservation of riparian corridors and monarch butterfly pathways as an intern with the City of San Marcos. Schyler holds a PSM in Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resources Management from Texas Tech University and a BGS in Nature and Heritage Tourism, Animal Science, and Criminal Justice from Texas State University. Schyler has always had a passion for the outdoors and nature, which has led her to pursue a career in natural resources. In her free time, Schyler enjoys being on the water, either kayaking or fishing.
Presentation Summary:
Conserving Texas Habitats: Grassland Restoration in Urban and Rural Landscapes Agricultural production and urbanization have been a leading cause of the loss and degradation of native habitats throughout Texas. Historically, much of Texas encompassed prairie and savanna grasslands vital to the survival of many species of wildlife. Over time, these unique habitats have significantly been diminished.
Wildlife Habitat Federation (WHF) focuses on bringing Texas habitats under improved management by restoring, enhancing, and managing native grasslands throughout the state. Projects include pocket prairies and wildflower plantings in urban areas, and full prairie and savanna grassland restoration of large acreage ranches. By utilizing best practices to manage and restore grassland habitat, we can help save an ecosystem that is critical to humans and wildlife.
Elizabeth “Wizzie” Brown
Texas A&M AgriLife
IPM Program Specialist
Wizzie Brown is an Extension Program Specialist- IPM with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in entomology from The Ohio State University and a Master’s of Science in entomology from Texas A&M University. After leaving Texas A&M, Wizzie worked in structural pest control before taking a job with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Austin. Wizzie also has a monthly webinar presentation “Backyard Bug Hunters”.
Presentation Summary:
The goal of IPM is not to to eradicate pests, but to eliminate pest problems by strengthening and stabilizing the landscape so that conditions are more favorable for plants than for pests. This balance is achieved by employing a combination of practices to prevent or avoid pest problems rather than treating them once they occur. By using scouting and monitoring practices for pests that include insects and other arthropods, actions to suppress population levels can be made in a timely manner, using a combination of the most environmentally-friendly and cost-effective tactics available. Emphasis is given to cultural (non-chemical tactics) and biological (biological control using predators, parasite and pathogens) methods of control. Properly-applied chemical control methods are used only when justified, and then by choosing the least toxic methods.
Brittany Chesser
Texas A&M Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory
Aquatic Vegetation Management Program Specialist
Brittany Chesser is the Aquatic Vegetation Management Program Specialist for Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service. Being a Delaware native, Brittany graduated from Delaware State University with her B.S. in Natural Resources. She later went on to receive her M.S. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University working on commercial-scale low-salinity culture techniques for Gulf Killifish. Brittany joined her current role in 2019 where her primary duties include providing technical expertise on aquatic vegetation management to the public through identifying plant species, recommending correct management practices, and delivering presentations and outreach materials; along with serving as the Lab Specialist for the TAMU Aquatics Diagnostic Laboratory. Currently she is working towards her Ph.D. in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management at Texas A&M University.
Presentation Summary:
Discover Aquatic Vegetation: Your Essential Guide to Identification Join us for an engaging presentation on identifying various types of aquatic vegetation, essential for anyone involved in pond management, pond ownership, or aquatic conservation. We’ll provide practical tips and visual aids to help you recognize and differentiate among the four different aquatic vegetation classifications, with common beneficial and invasive or nuisance plant species examples.
Anita Gilson
Audubon Conservation Ranching
Senior Coordinator, Private Lands
Anita Gilson of Audubon Texas works as a Senior Coordinator of Private Lands to deliver the Audubon Conservation Ranching program in the Southern Great Plains region of Texas and New Mexico . She is experienced in helping landowners of all backgrounds find conservation solutions and is passionate about bridging the gap between agriculture and grassland bird conservation. Anita received her bachelors in Natural Resource Management from Angelo State University and her Masters of Natural Resource Development from Texas A&M University. Outside of work, Anita is sure to be found working on the family ranch, hiking, camping, or just being a student of nature.
Presentation Summary:
In this presentation, we will explore a few of the many different bird species that call East Texas home. More than just bird identification, we will also explore what types of habitat each species prefers and how various forms of habitat degradation are threatening their existence. Finally, we will learn what we can do to help reverse our alarming bird declines, and how a program called Audubon Conservation Ranching is just one of the many programs working to improve the outlook for all wildlife.
Ashley R. Morgan-Olvera, M.S.
Texas Invasive Species Institute
Director of Research and Education/Outreach
Ashley Morgan-Olvera received her M.S. in Parasitology from Sam Houston State University in 2011. Shortly thereafter, she joined the newly-formed Texas Invasive Species Institute (TISI) as a Field Biologist; directing multiple invasive beetle, snail, honeybee pest and parasite surveys throughout the years. Knowing public education is vital to the management and prevention of invasive species, she acquired the TexasInvasives.org program from the Wildflower Center in 2020 to reignite a statewide invasive species outreach program. Now, she is the Director of Research and Education for both entities, and looks forward to continued outreach and prevention of invasives in Texas.
Presentation Summary:
This presentation will cover invasive plants and pests commonly encountered in landscapes, prairies and agricultural areas including Citrus Pests and Diseases expanding throughout East Texas. It will also discuss how to identify and report these invasives through our website Texasinvasives.org.
Julie Mattox
2024 Lone Star Land Steward Award Winner
Mattox Prairie Farms – Dairy to Prairie
While operating her own surveying consulting firm, Julie had the opportunity to explore various ecosystems throughout the US. Working alongside professionals such as paleontologists, archaeologists, biologists and botanists, many of whom were grassland specialists, Julie developed a passion for the prairie ecosystem. She and her husband relocated to Northeast Texas in 1996. Fourteen years later, she had the chance to purchase a dairy surrounding their original property, and the prairie restoration began. From dairy to prairie is no easy task.
Presentation Summary:
Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Julie Mattox, whose passion for prairie ecosystems, particularly the tall grass prairie, has led to transformative work in conservation. Through innovative approaches and community engagement, Julie has become a beacon of inspiration in prairie conservation. From reintroducing grazing cattle to managing invasive species, her dedication has yielded remarkable results, with native grasses flourishing and wildlife returning to the land.
Caleb Bryant
Texas A&M Forest Service Forester
Bio: My name is Caleb Bryant, and I am originally from McKinney TX. I studied Forestry at Texas A&M University and minored in Rangeland Ecology and Management. In college, I worked at Texas A&M Forest Service’s Forest Science Lab as a student worker. After graduating in December of 2023, I was hired as forester for the Olive district (Tyler, Hardin, and Jefferson counties). Forestry is exciting, challenging, and rewarding. Forest health, prescribed fire, silviculture, and seedling production are a few of the facets of forestry I am most interested in.
Jacob Reeves
Texas A&M Forest Service
Staff Forester
Bio: My name is Jacob Reeves, and I am currently a Staff Forester in Conroe. I graduated from Texas A&M University in 2023 with a B.S. in Forestry as well as a minor in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Science. I have been with the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) just over a year serving from the Huntsville and Conroe office. I am originally from the small town of Waskom, Texas in Harrison County. I have worked on multiple projects with TAMFS including multiple wildfire response assignments, educational programs, and water resources. I am passionate about serving the various communities in Southeastern Texas. Many people in the area are unfamiliar with the benefits of sound forest management tactics. It is my job to educate and enlighten landowners in this region of different management practices that can increase their aesthetical value and help them reach their property management goals.
Presentation Summary:
Jacob will cover fire suppression and healthy use of fire management tactics as well as talk about Project Learning Tree.
Robert “Bob” David
Woodlands Judging Contest
Forester / Landowner
Presentation Summary:
Bob will be presenting on his own timber management program as both a forester and landowner, his mission to provide native pine savannah understory to his Long Leaf Pine restoration.
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