Designing and analyzing surveys of fish and wildlife populations, habitats, and user groups is a key component of most research and management programs directed at conserving and managing wildlife and fisheries today. Familiarity with standard approaches to surveys as well as knowledge of the potential extensions of these methods to more complicated sampling situations can improve the accuracy and efficiency of research and management programs.

This five-day workshop has been designed especially for wildlife, fisheries, and conservation professionals needing an introduction or a refresher in the principals of survey design and analysis. Participants will learn how to design efficient surveys of animal populations, habitats and user groups, and how to analyze the resulting information for both research and management purposes.  Later portions of the course will introduce more sophisticated designs such as adaptive and sequential sampling.  We will also explore a variety of approaches for removing bias from estimates using mark-recapture, double sampling, and sightability (visibility bias) models.

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• Welcome and Introduction

• Review of Basic Concepts
  Populations and samples
  Distributions
  Estimation

• Elements of Sampling
  Terminology
  How to select the sample
  Sources of errors
  Methods of data collection
  Designing field forms and  questionnaires
  Hand held computers and PDAs
  Planning a survey

• Simple Random Sampling
  Estimating a population mean and total
  Sample size
  Estimating a population proportion
  Sampling with probabilities proportional to size
  Applications

Tuesday 4/1 - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Stratified Random Sampling
  Drawing a stratified random sample
  Estimating a population mean and total
  Sample size and allocation
  Estimating a proportion
  Choosing optimal strata
  Stratification after selection of the sample
  Applications

Wednesday 4/2 -  8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Ratio Estimates
  When to use ratio estimates
  Ratio estimation using simple random sampling
  Sample size
  Ration estimation in stratified random sampling
  Regression estimates
  Difference estimation
  Application

• Cluster Sampling

How to draw a cluster sample
Estimating a population mean and total
Selecting a sample size; Population proportions
Combining cluster sampling with stratification
Probabilities proportional to size; Application
Adaptive Cluster Sampling

Thursday 4/3 - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Systematic Sampling
  Drawing a systematic sample
  Estimating population means, totals and proportions
  Sample Size; Repeated systematic samples
  Application

• Two-Stage Cluster Sampling
  Drawing a systematic sample
  Estimating population means, totals and proportions
  Sample Size; Repeated systematic samples
  Application

• Advanced Topics
  Probability proportional to size sampling;
  Sequential sampling; Sampling with replacement;
  Double sampling
  Nonresponse bias; Errors of measurement
  Interpreting subsamples; Jack-knifing
  Bootstrapping; Monte Carlo techniques
  Connections to comparisons and hypothesis tests

Friday 4/4 - 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon

• Special Applications in Fish and Wildlife

Population Census
Creel surveys; Aerial surveys; Bird counts;
Line transects and variable circular plots
Habitat inventories; Monitoring

Evening Sessions (Voluntary)
This workshop is designed to be as practical as possible. Thus, the following activities are offered on a voluntary basis.

LOCATION AND TIME------ Juneau, Alaska in a place to be arranged

Normally all meetings will be held at the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences (Room 14), 6th and Line Street, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. Meetings will run from 1 p.m. on Monday, March 31  through noon on Friday, April 4, 2008.

PREREGISTRATION

The registration fee is $360 per participant. You may register on-line or print out the registration form and mail with payment/credit card number to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1136.

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CREDIT

Workshop participants will accrue 24 contact hours toward The Wildlife Society's Professional Development Program, or credits toward other societies (AFS, ESA, SCB) continuing education requirements for professionals.  One graduate credit for Wlf 504 is available from the University of Idaho's College of Graduate Studies for an additional fee.  Graduate credit requires completing all lab assignments and writing a short paper after the course concludes.

GRADUATE STUDENT FINANCIAL AID

A limited number of scholarships are available to students currently enrolled in graduate programs in wildlife, fisheries, conservation biology or related fields.

HOUSING

Housing is the responsibility of the registrant. For courses taught on campus s block of rooms has been reserved at the Driftwood Hotel. To receive the special rate, please  mention that you are with the Wildlife and Fisheries Survey Workshop.  

QUESTIONS

For transportation, registration, or logistical information, please call the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at 208-885-6434 or fish_wildlife@uidaho.edu.