Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
10-5-2000
Abstract
The Eastern Wildlife Damage Management (EWDM) Conference was developed (1st conference held in 1983) to focus on people-wildlife interaction issues occurring in the eastern U.S. Developed as a Renewable Resources Extension Act activity, the purpose of the conference was to improve wildlife resource management and increase outputs of agricultural and forestry commodities. A primary planning issue for the 1st EWDM Conference was whether to represent the conference focus as wildlife damage "control" or "management." Control was selected initially, but the title evolved since then to be replaced by "management," reflecting the central role of wildlife conflict mitigation in wildlife management. The EWDM Conference series has provided a forum for professional discourse on emerging wildlife problems, technologies to address problems, and mitigation efforts. Both biological and human dimensions aspects of wildlife damage management have been featured. Six important traits of the EWDM Conference series include: (1) impact-focused, outcome-oriented management; (2) community-based management (co-management); (3) technology development; (4) integration of biological and human dimensions; (5) showcase for collaborative effort; and (6) wildlife damage management positioned as an essential component of comprehensive wildlife management.