Conservation Challenges
Students in Conservation Biology in Practice will lead public forums of current issues in conservation biology toward the end of the semester. These events are open to the public, with discussion and interaction encouraged. Each is 35minutes in length and will take place in 3214 Jordan Addition. We also encourage you to complete this brief, anonymous feedback form after the forum.
2022 Conservation Challenges Forums
All in 3214 Jordan Addition & on Zoom
Session 1. Monday 11.14
10:25-11:00 -- Who Killed the Loggerhead Sea Turtle? We have all likely heard about marine conservation issues in North Carolina. Our interactive forum will keep you engaged and learning through a game called “Who Killed the Loggerhead Sea Turtle.” We will guide you through all the potential killers – alias, the conservation issues – and you will figure out “who” killed the sea turtle. From this, we hope you learn about important issues the marine environment is facing and how you can help, even if it is just doing your part.
Session 2. Wednesday 11.16
09:40-10:15 -- The Impacts of Exotic Pet Ownership. Do you care about conserving habitats near and far? Do you, or someone you know, own exotic pets? In this forum, we will discuss how the ownership of exotic pets negatively impacts the environment, highlighting issues associated with the African clawed frog, the Burmese python, and the turquoise-fronted parrot. Join us to learn about these animals and how poaching, invasive species, and industry regulation play a part in this expansive industry. [ See their Website ]
10:25-11:00 -- Spotting the Spotted Lanternfly. We have all heard about invasive species. They can wreak havoc on an ecosystem by competing with our native species for resources, thereby decreasing biodiversity. Invasives can also cause economic damage by decreasing agricultural productivity and expending funds for control efforts that would otherwise go to other causes. We will discuss the spotted lanternfly, which has recently invaded North Carolina, and its host species, the tree of heaven. The spotted lanternfly has the potential to devastate the agriculture industry, damaging our grape plantations, orchards, and timber stands. [ See their Website ]
Session 3. Monday 11.21
09:40-10:15 -- How Trophy Hunting Benefits Conservation & Wildlife Management. When you think of trophy hunting, what is the first thing that comes to mind? This question -- and others we asked – led to a wide variety of answers and some heated conversations. Through our research, we learned how trophy hunting is economically and culturally significant, and controversial. We learned how it aids the conservation and management of certain wildlife species. With more complete information, we tried to help people craft their own definitions of the term. If you would like to learn more about this topic, please join us! [ Watch their Podcast on YouTube ]
10:25-11:00 -- Red Wolf Conservation: Human & Coyote Conflict. Red wolves (Canis rufus) are the most endangered canid species in the world, with only one current wild reintroduction site in eastern North Carolina. Throughout our forum, we will discuss the impacts of human conflict and coyote hybridization on red wolf conservation. We will discuss possible solutions to the obstacles preventing red wolves from becoming a self-sustaining population. By the end of our forum, we hope that you will know more about red wolf conservation and be more inclined to support actions to conserve the wolves. [ See their Website ]
Session 4. Monday 11.28
09:40-10:15 -- Indigenous Voices in Conservation. For thousands of years, indigenous peoples on this continent carried out ecological land management to sustain both wildlife and human populations. Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the voices of Indigenous people are vital in understanding our natural resources and how to best conserve them. Join us in exploring how indigenous groups and the U.S. government can work together to improve conservation through interactive discussion. [ Listen to their Podcast ]
10:25-11:00 -- Public Engagement in the World of Conservation Biology. We know that conservation efforts are a group initiative. It takes an array of specialists and experts to find and implement solutions to conservation challenges. But it also takes the general public, whose actions have the potential to make a lasting impact on the environment. But is the general public aware of that impact? Join us in a discussion about fire, bird window strikes, bird feeders, and Instagram as we work to create informed voters, consumers, and citizens through conservation outreach. [ See their Instagram and linktree accounts ]
Session 5. Wednesday 11.30
09:40-10:15 -- The Impact of Wildlife Diseases. Zoonoses, wildlife disease, prion, vector. What are all of these seemingly frightening words? Find out by joining us for our forum on wildlife diseases and their impact on humans, wildlife, and society. We will highlight some examples including chronic wasting disease, avian influenza, and COVID-19. We hope you can join us for our discussion and find out what an impact these diseases can have on all aspects of our lives. [ See their website ]
10:25-11:00 -- Underrepresentation of Non-Charismatic Species. Charismatic species are often large, fluffy, or cute. They’re the stars of news articles, children's books, sports teams, cereal boxes, and so much more, while non-charismatic species often get swept under the rug. If you have always rooted for the underdog then join us on Nov. 30th at the Charismatic Species Forum as we dive into why non-charasmatic species do not receive the representation they deserve. [ See their childrens' book ]
About the Forums
Controversies in Conservation Forums were started in 2014 by students in the Conservation Biology in Practice (FW333) course at NC State University. Students and forum participants examined a variety of contentious conservation topics, including conservation triage, wildlife trafficking, and feral cats. In 2018, the series was renamed Conservation Challenges to allow broader examination of conservation issues and practices, including those that might not be especially controversial. The focus on encouraging audience participation remained. In 2021, the format was changed to allow every student team to present a forum. Forums were shortened so that we could include two per class session. Still, the focus on audience interaction remained.
2021 Conservation Challenges Forums
Session 1. Monday 11.08
09:40-10:15 – The Exotic Pet Trade. You likely know Joe Exotic from Tiger King, but how much do you know about the policies and impact of exotic pet trade? We will introduce the exotic pet trade, compare NC policies to those of other state and countries, and highlight the trade’s impact on conservation efforts. By the end of our interactive forum, you will have enough knowledge to craft your own opinions on the exotic pet trade, current NC policies, and what might be done to ensure a better tomorrow. [ Visit their Website! ]
10:25-11:00 – The Case for Non-native Species in Conservation. We will discuss the role of non-natives species in conservation by examining six non-native species being used in conservation across North Carolina: brown trout in the Mountains, coyotes in the Piedmont, and pacific oysters in the Coastal Plain. Based on this examination, we will present some of the common themes surrounding the use of non-native species in conservation. [ Visit their Website! ]
Session 2. Wednesday 11.10
09:40-10:15 – How Climate Change Affects Pollinators, Pests, & NC Agriculture. During our interactive forum, we will have two different stations guiding you through how climate change is affecting insect pests and native bees in North Carolina. After these activities, we will tie it all together by talking about how these changes are disturbing agriculture in North Carolina and what you can do to support native pollinators. By the end of our forum, we hope you will have a better understanding of how agriculture will be affected by climate change from a conservation perspective. [ Visit their Website! ]
10:25-11:00 – West vs East – Regional Differences in Fire Management, Conservation, History, & Future. The human ability to use and manipulate fire has profoundly shaped our societies, our cultures, and our environment. When mismanaged, the consequences are catastrophic. Join us to discuss the regional differences of fire history and management, how we got to where we are today, and what we can do about the future. [ Listen to their Podcast! ]
Session 3. Monday 11.15
09:40-10:15 – Capturing Connectivity: Do Corridors Connect Wildlife? The changes people make to the landscape to support their own existence can cause harm to wildlife and their habitat. Wildlife corridors have been offered as a potential way to reduce, or reverse, the effects that habitat loss and fragmentation can have on wildlife populations. We will discuss the reasons why corridors are implemented as conservation tools through various case studies from around the world. They are thought to prevent biodiversity loss, to connect isolated habitats, to keep genetic diversity amongst populations, and more. We will discuss the efficacy of wildlife corridors as a conservation tool for achieving these goals and their effects on various wildlife species. [ Visit their StoryMap! ]
10:25-11:00 – Conservation Opinions – Charisma & Education. There is a reason the World Wildlife Fund has a panda as their logo and Disney films are full of smiling sea turtles and elephants. This forum presents the results of a semester-long research project that investigates the influence of factors including animal charisma, endangerment status, and education level on student willingness to donate to charismatic vs less charismatic species. Come ready to discuss, learn, and see how your willingness to donate to protect species compares to our survey group! [ Visit their Website ! ]
Session 4. Wednesday 11.17
09:40-10:15 – Beach Pollution is not Always What it Seems. When you think of beach pollution, the first things you think of might be plastic water bottles, plastic straws, or snack wrappers. Although this initial understanding is supported by trash art sculptures and social media posts, this may not be the majority of pollution you would actually find on a beach. In a search for answers, our team collected trash along the North Carolina coast and discovered a much more surprising trash distribution. During our forum, we will reveal what we actually found on our cleanup project, present an artwork that represents that trash distribution in a new way, and discuss what this means for our environment moving forward. [Scroll down to see their art piece! ]
10:25-11:00 – Coastal Degradation in North Carolina. The coast of North Carolina, known for its unique barrier island system, is not only a popular tourist destination but also an important wildlife habitat for animals like the American Oystercatcher, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and Southern Flounder. These species and others are affected by coastal degradation caused by human development, climate change, pollution, and unsustainable tourism. We will examine a few species to illustrate the effects of coastal degradation and explore some possible solutions such as beach closures and education of the public. [ Visit their Storymap! ]
Session 5. Monday 11.22
09:40-10:15 – How the Public Sees the Role of Zoos in Conservation. Do you love zoos? Do you hate them? Do you want to learn more about them? Then come to our forum that focuses on the modern-day perception of zoos by the public. We will touch on key elements such as the importance of zoos to conservation, how the public engages with zoos, demographics of zoo visitors, and more! We offer suggestions about how to narrow existing gaps between zoo’s conservation efforts and the public. We hope to see you there! [ Visit their Website! ]
10:25-11:00 – Mining Gold in the Amazon. Gold mining has been an ongoing conservation issue in the Peruvian Amazon. As mining operations grow, consequences are amplified and the ramifications reach well beyond the mines’ boundaries. During this forum we will be discussing the methods of mining, the effect on the environment and the effects on humans. This will lead into an open discussion on possible solutions that aid in preservation of the rainforest. [ Visit his blog! ]
Beach Pollution art piece. Trash collected on Emerald Isle, NC. Left to right: miscellaneous items, paper, small hard plastics, soft plastic & wrappers, cigarette butts.
2020 Conservation Challenges Forums
Surrogate Species Approaches to Conservation
How do Strict Poaching Laws Impact Disenfranchised Communities of Kenya?
2019 Conservation Challenges Forums
Implications of Proposed Revisions to the Endangered Species Act
CITES & The African Elephant Controversy
The Conservation-Poverty Nexus
2018 Conservation Challenges Forums
Overall Theme: The Challenges of Non-Native and Invasive Species
A Massive Challenge Begets Massive Response
How do we Handle Native Species that Behave Like Invasives?
Should we rethink our approaches to non-native species?
2017 Controversies in Conservation Forums
Defeating invasive species, one bite at a time
Ecotourism: Helping or Hurting?
2016 Controversies in Conservation Forums
Interstate 540 and the Dwarf wedgemussel: Who should get out of the way?
Is it time to go “all in” on Red wolf recovery?
Dams, Climate Change, & Endangered Species: A Study in Trade-offs
2015 Controversies in Conservation Forums
Beach Driving at Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Wildlife Trafficking & Indigenous People
Killing for Conservation?
2014 Controversies in Conservation Forums
Conservation Triage: Should we Give up on Some Species?
Red Wolf Recovery Program: Cancel or Continue?
The Great Cat Debate: Should Wildlife & Pets Mix?