A First-of-Its-Kind Gathering
Held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Future of Waterfowl Management Workshop marked the first gathering of its kind dedicated to "Framing Future Decisions for Linking Harvest, Habitat, and Human Dimensions." Convened by the North American waterfowl management community and facilitated by DJ Case + Associates, this pivotal event built on decades of innovation — including the Flyway Councils, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), Adaptive Harvest Management, and the National Duck Hunter Survey — to foster a more integrated, scientifically grounded, and socially responsive framework for waterfowl conservation.
Exploring Integration Across Management Decisions
Participants explored ways to enhance coherence across harvest regulations, habitat protection, and human dimensions (such as hunter recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and attitudes), aiming to benefit managers, agencies, and stakeholders alike. Through breakout sessions, presentations, interactive polling, and evaluations, the workshop identified opportunities and challenges for holistic decision-making.
Findings and Next Steps
The resulting Summary Report details the proceedings, key findings, and recommended next steps, reinforcing NAWMP's adaptive approach and urging continued collaboration to sustain abundant waterfowl populations amid evolving ecological and societal needs.
