'IT ALL MAKES SENSE' IS
2010 WILDLIFE DIVERSITY CONFERENCE THEME
COLUMBUS,
OH - Wildlife species and the senses will be the
subjects of discussion at the 2010 Ohio Wildlife Diversity Conference, scheduled
for Wednesday, March 10 at the Aladdin
Shrine
Center in Columbus. The conference, It All Makes Sense,
is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of
Wildlife. It is open to the public.
The keynote speaker this year will be Wil Hershberger, author of The Songs of
Insects, speaking on how to interpret the sounds of various insects. His address
will set the tone for a day of discussions about scent, sound, and taste and
their effects on wildlife and humans.
"Our keynote speaker will provide insights to sounds we all hear, but don’t
really recognize the creatures that make them," said Kendra Wecker, wildlife
diversity coordinator. "Our audience has been requesting information on skunks
for years and we sniffed out an expert from The Ohio State University, Dr. Stan
Gehrt, who is also a great speaker. In fact, you won’t want to miss any of our
speakers this year."
Other conference topics include discussions of the paddlefish caviar market,
wild boar, saw-whet owls, and kids and conservation.
New this year will be the unveiling of the inaugural Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp.
Featuring the Baltimore oriole, proceeds from the sale of the stamp will be used
to support:
·
endangered and threatened native species;
·
habitat restoration, land purchases and conservation easements; and
·
educational products for students and wildlife enthusiasts.
Anyone who pre-registers online for the conference may purchase this collectable
stamp at a discounted price of $12 – a 20 percent savings. Details about
the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp can be found at
wildohiostamp.com.
Representatives from a range of conservation and natural resource organizations,
including the Black Swamp Bird Observatory and Ohio Biological Survey, will
present displays and be available to answer questions.
The Wildlife Diversity Conference has steadily grown in popularity. The first
conference, held in 1985, drew 40 people. Last year, 915 people attended the
day-long gathering.
For more information or to register for the conference online, go to
wildohio.com or call 1-800-WILDLIFE. The
registration fee prior to February 26 is $25. After that date, the fee is $35.
The Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and
protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web
site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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For further information, contact:
Kendra Wecker, ODNR Division of Wildlife
614. 265. 6300
Vicki Ervin, ODNR Division of Wildlife
614. 265. 6325
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Communications
614. 265. 6860
