The UTM student chapter of the Wildlife Society is a professional organization that knows the importance of preserving the land.
The chapter does a variety of things within the community including habitat work. They also have an ongoing project in correlation with Tyson Factory in Union City, Tenn. The group is responsible for the upkeep and landscaping of the factory’s property.
“It’s hard to find a job in wildlife after graduation without some type of internship,” said Tanner Romsdal, Wildlife Society president.
Because of this, the chapter travels to different conferences and competitions throughout the year in order to give members a chance to meet other professionals in the same field. Transportation for trips is provided through the department.
“It’s a great way for us to connect,” said Brandon Woodward, a sophomore Natural Resource Management major.
South Eastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, SEAFWA, is one of the conferences the society attends. At this conference, wildlife professionals share research that they have completed.
“Networking through the Wildlife Society has been a benefit for me. I met my current boss through a squirrel hunting game we were having. I sent in my resume and I got the job,” said Brant Luker, executive wildlife officer.
Every spring, the local chapter competes against other universities in the Southeast for three days in a state chapter meeting. Last year, the UTM chapter placed first in cervid calling and third in a team obstacle course. They placed seventh overall out of 30 schools and third overall in the team competition.
The Wildlife Society is also active with the Martin Boy Scouts troop. The chapter helps the young boys obtain their merit badges. The chapter was also presented at Martin Elementary School to help make the children aware of the importance of keeping the community clean.
Every year, the Wildlife Society does a spring clean-up in Weakley County; they choose a local stream and gather all the trash they can find from it.
The society has an open door policy to any major. Their meetings are held twice a month on Thursdays in Brehm Hall, Room 258 at 5:30 p.m.
“In the world we live in, we tend to take for granted the habitat and wildlife here. More and more humans are coming in everyday. The farther away we get from the city, the more land we take up. The wildlife needs the land to survive, so preserving it is the key. We must take care of the land, but it must be managed properly and that, in a nutshell, is what we do,” Romsdal said.
The society will be traveling to Milwaukee, Wis. Oct. 5-10 for the Tennessee Wildlife Society Annual Conference. On Oct. 13-16, the group will travel to Oklahoma City, Okla. for the 67th Annual SEAFWA Conference.
For more information on the organization or to join, contact Romsdal at tanjroms@ut.utm.edu.
