Meeting/Event Information

Description:

Presentation Summary:

This course will focus on recommendations for mitigation measures for grizzly bears along US Highway 93 North on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The measures are aimed at reducing direct road mortality for grizzly bears and allowing connectivity for grizzly bears between the areas on both sides of the highway. The recommendations are for the following:

1. The 11.6 mile-long (18.7 km) road section between mile reference post 36.8 and 48.4 (from just south of “Post Creek” north of St. Ignatius until just north of Ronan)

2. The other road sections that have already been reconstructed and (partially) mitigated, but where adaptive management may increase the effectiveness of the mitigation measures for grizzly bears.

The recommendations are based on a literature review, as well as existing data on road killed grizzly bears, the use of existing wildlife crossing structures by grizzly bears, road crossing locations of GPS collared grizzly bears, traffic volume, and economics associated with collisions and mitigation measures.

Speaker Bio:

Marcel Huijser, PhD - Marcel Huijser is a senior research ecologist with 33 years of experience. Specializing in road ecology since 1995, he has conducted research in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. His focus is on the ecological impacts of transportation infrastructure as well as mitigation measures aimed at reducing these impacts. Most of his research relates to reducing large mammal-vehicle collisions, providing safe crossing opportunities for wildlife, and cost-benefit analyses regarding the implementation of mitigation measures. He advises students and has taught road ecology courses for MSc and PhD students, and a course on wildlife habitat, conservation, and management. Marcel's resume is provided as a document to download on the meeting event page.

Event Location & Registration:

Marcel will be presenting this session at the WGM Office in Missoula. However, this will be a hybrid event, with in-person options to join at DOWL in Billings, RPA in Helena, and Sanbell in Bozeman. Join us in person for lunch and networking from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm at one of our host locations. The presentation will begin at 12:00. Please email [email protected] if you plan to join in person, so we can accommodate any dietary restrictions and have an accurate head count for lunch. This is a free event for MT ITE members and PDHs will be offered for a small fee. When registering, please use the "Continue as Guest" option.

Be aware when selecting the "Add to Calendar" option on this meeting event page, you will need to adjust your calendar to the correct meeting time (12:00 pm) as our platform defaults to Mountain Standard Time (MST) rather than Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).

Reach out to the MT ITE Board at the email above with any questions. We hope you can join us!

Thanks,

MT ITE Board