HMN CE Opportunity

Monday, December 6 at 6:30 PM

Arey Assembly Hall meeting room in the Bridgewater Town Hall
201 Green St, Bridgewater

Wildlife mammalogist Mike Pelton will discuss the importance of safe passage issues for wildlife in general, and specifically for large mammals in Virginia. Wildlife corridors are becoming critical as highways become death traps for mammals. These barriers also are erasing the connectivity of critical wildlife habitats. Mike will also discuss some of the methods to locate and create safe passages in Virginia.

About our presenter:

Michael Pelton is an Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Science at the University of Tennessee. For 32 years, he conducted 94 research projects on 18 mammal species. Black bears were his main focus. He and his graduate students delved into numerous aspects of the ecology and life history of black bears and other bear species internationally. Mike assisted numerous national and international private and public organizations and agencies on management issues regarding bears; several involved the impacts of human developments, including roads and safe passage corridors. Dr. Pelton was a founder and past president of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA); this organization consists of 900 biologists and managers represented by 45 countries. From 1976 until 2000 he also was coordinator of the Southern Appalachian Black Bear Study Group, a consortium of biologists and managers responsible for managing black bears in the region. He is currently technical advisor to a variety of bear projects and wildlife organizations and agencies regarding bear issues. The black bear research project he initiated in 1968 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the longest continuous research project of any bear species in the world. In 2000 Mike and his wife Tamra moved to Virginia. Tamra is a Professor Emeritus at Mary Baldwin University. They currently reside on their mountain farm in Augusta County. Mike has 4 grown sons.

The inclement weather backup date is Thursday, December 9 at the same time.

Save your spot by signing up on Better Impact! Limited seating available.

Brought to you by the HMN Continuing Education Committee.

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Find a helpful preview of this topic from Wild Virginia HERE.

Check out the story map about Virginia’s successful wildlife fencing project along Interstate 64 HERE.