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Appreciative Inquiry as a Tool for Leadership and Driving Change in Complex Organizations Such as Libraries: A Brief Literature Review and Discussion
Get PDFAppreciative Inquiry is unapologetic in its focus on the positive, believing communities can be strengthened through collaborative inquiry as a method to turn problems into transformative change. Through re-framing, appreciative interviews, and the building of provocative propositions, members of an organization can become reconnected to the life of the organization.Driving and managing these change processes will be leaders who are convinced there are better approaches, who are willing to learn and who truly believe in the power of the positive. Appreciative Leadership, which grows out of the appreciative tradition, is “unique among leadership theories both past and present” through its focus on “strengths-based practice,” and the “search for the best in people and organizations” as a way to create “organizational innovation and transformation” (Orr & Cleveland-Innes, 2015). This paper will show how Appreciative Inquiry and Appreciative Leadership can be used to surface organizational hopes and dreams, create community, and build the future world we want to live in, where libraries are widely understood as essential services creating strong and resilient learning communities
The Effects of Changes in Elk Archery Regulations on Elk Hunter Effort and Harvest, 2004-2010
Get PDFWe evaluated the effects of changes in elk archery hunting seasons in eastern Montana on hunter numbers, days, and densities and elk harvest. We compared 2 time periods (2004-2007 and 2008-2010) and grouped hunting districts (HDs) into 1 of 4 season types. The 4 season types were limited permits in the Missouri Breaks (7 HDs), limited permits in non-breaks HDs (22 HDs), adjacent HDs were in close proximity to the limited permit HDs that we hypothesized might receive additional hunters displaced from the two more restrictive archery permit areas (22 HDs), and our pseudo-control season type included the rest of the HDs in the state (110 HDs). It appeared, from a statewide perspective, that changing the archery regulations to limited permits in 27 HDs didn’t cause a statistically significant hunter shift to the 22 HDs identified as areas hunters would likely select if restrictions forced them to choose a new area. The only significant changes in hunter numbers and days were decreases in nonresident hunter numbers and days in the Missouri River Breaks HDs. Although the decrease in non-resident use may have had an economic impact in the local area; statewide, there was no change in non-resident use. Pseudo-control HDs showed decreases or no change in harvest response variables. Therefore, the significant harvest increases and/or lack of significant harvest declines in the limited permit areas might be interpreted as a relative success since most of these hunting districts are above population objectives for elk
Evaluating Aspen Responses to Changes in Elk Abundance, Distribution and Behavior Following Wolf Reestablishment in West-Central Yellowstone National Park
Get PDFThe reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park created a unique “natural experiment” to study trophic interactions in a large-scale terrestrial system among wolves, elk, and aspen. This study utilized data from a long-term elk demography study that was established prior to wolf reintroduction. Significant changes in the abundance and distribution of the Madison headwaters elk herd were observed following wolf reestablishment. The spatial arrangement of these changes made it possible to directly test for the occurrence of a density-mediated trophic cascade. The objectives of this study were to answer the following questions: 1) was there a marked decrease in browsing pressure on aspen where elk densities declined, and 2) was there a corresponding plant-growth response indicating that aspen were released from browsing pressure? Historical browsing conditions and aspen height were observed for 31 aspen stands to assess the occurrence of a density-mediated trophic cascade following wolf reintroduction. Browse conditions and aspen morphology in stands where elk densities declined dramatically following wolf reintroduction were compared to stands that experienced persistent heavy browsing throughout this period. A major decline in browsing pressure along with a modest increase in aspen height and leader longevity was detected, supporting the hypothesis of a density-mediated trophic cascade. However, the magnitude of the growth response was weak, suggesting that browsing was not the dominant limiting factor to aspen growth in the study area and that aspen may be more strongly limited by bottom-up regulation
Inter-Individual Isolation by Distance: Implications for Landscape Genetics
Get PDFMany approaches to understanding the influence of landscape on gene flow account for isolation by distance, a phenomena where individuals that are closer together are more likely to be more closely related. Most theoretical research has focused on isolation by distance between populations. We simulated the expected isolation by distance patterns between individuals within a finite population and found an asymptotic pattern. New null models are needed in landscape genetic approaches to correctly account for isolation by distance patterns. We will briefly review isolation by distance and discuss the factors (time, variance in dispersal, and mutation rates) influencing isolation by distance patterns. Our results have implications for estimating how difficult it is for animals to move through the landscape
Nesting Habitat and Behavior of Spiny Softshell Turtles Apalone Spinifera Hartwegi in the Missouri River, MT
Get PDFLittle is known about the nesting behavior and habitat of the western spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera hartwegi) in Montana where they are at the northern extent of their range and are a state Species of Concern. Our objective was to document nesting behavior, habitat, and timing in a 97-kilometer reach of the Missouri River. We radio-tagged 47 female turtles and attempted to locate nesting areas using telemetry, visual surveys from jet boat and on foot, and by observation from shore-based blinds. We located 27 nests; 15 were on islands, 12 were aggregated, and 2 were depredated. Nesting occurred following the peak river stage from about July 7 to July 28. Twenty-three nests were in mixed gravel and 4 nests were in sand substrates. Distance from water’s edge to the nest ranged from 1.9 m to 27 m and height of nest above the water surface elevation ranged from 0.25 m to 1.9 m. Vegetation at nest sites was sparse, ranging from 0 to 15 percent vegetative cover. Emergence of hatchlings was documented for 17 nests and occurred from about September 1 to September 20. All 17 successful nests were in gravel substrate; we did not document any emergence from nests in sand. Lack of emergence from sand nests may be related to the cumulative thermal regime in the nest chamber during the period from peak discharge until the onset of freezing in autumn. In 2012, we will investigate the thermal environment in gravel and sand nesting substrates
What Hunters Prefer and Value about Mule Deer Hunting in Montana
Get PDFDuring Montana’s biennial process for establishing hunting seasons, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) listens to issues, advocacies, opinions and values brought forward by diverse mule deer hunters. In recent years, vocal constituency groups have advocated for season structures that provide more opportunity to harvest mature mule deer bucks, reflective of the recent direction of mule deer management in much of the west. In an effort to better quantify the views and preferences of the Montana hunting public in general, FWP conducted surveys of both resident and nonresident mule deer hunters. Results from the survey confirm that mule deer hunting is very important to Montana's hunters, consistent with the fact that deer hunting is by far the most popular hunting activity in Montana. Approximately two-thirds of the survey respondents prefer less restrictive mule deer hunting regulations compared to more restrictive regulations that increase the probability of harvesting mature bucks by limiting opportunity. Surprisingly, trophy hunting was the least important reason expressed by survey respondents for hunting mule deer in Montana. Many respondents did express concerns about a variety of access related issues. Despite these concerns, respondents reported being generally satisfied with overall mule deer hunting opportunities in Montana, and nearly half of the respondents rated opportunities to hunt large mule deer bucks in the state as being better than average. FWP intends to use results from this survey in the consideration of future management of this important game species that is so highly prized by Montana hunters
Effects of Wolf Removal on Livestock Depredation Recurrence and Wolf Recovery in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming
Get PDFWolf predation on livestock and management methods used to mitigate conflicts are highly controversial and scrutinized especially where wolf populations are recovering. Wolves are commonly removed from a local area in attempts to reduce further depredations, but the effectiveness of such management actions is poorly understood. We compared the effects of 3 management responses to livestock depredation by wolf packs in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming: no removal, partial pack removal, and full pack removal. From 1989 to 2008, we documented 967 depredations by 156 packs: 228 on sheep and 739 on cattle and other stock. Median time between recurrent depredations was 19 days following no removal (n = 593), 64 days following partial pack removal (n = 326), and 730 days following full pack removal (n = 48). Partial pack removal was most effective if conducted within the first 7 days following depredation, after which there was only a marginally significant difference between partial pack removal and no action (HR = 0.86, P = 0.07), and no difference after 14 days (HR = 0.99, P = 0.93). Ultimately, pack size was the best predictor of a recurrent depredation event; the probability of a depredation event recurring within 5 years increased by 7% for each animal left in the pack after the management response. However, the greater the number of wolves left in a pack, the higher the likelihood the pack met federal criteria to count as a breeding pair the following year toward population recovery goals
Diet of Juvenile Burbot and Insight Into Gape Limitation
Get PDFThroughout much of their distribution, Burbot (Lota lota ) populations are declining or have been extirpated. Burbot in the Kootenai River, Idaho represent one such imperiled population. In an effort to restore Burbot in the Kootenai River, managers have turned to conservation aquaculture. However, no appreciable increase in natural recruitment has been observed in the system. The lack of natural recruitment is believed to be partly due to a deficiency of high-quality prey. As a result, we sought to i) describe the diet of juvenile Burbot, ii) evaluate the influence of Burbot mouth gape on diet and iii) estimate prey availability at release locations. Burbot were stocked into two earthen ponds at the Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area (BCWMA) and sampled weekly to evaluate diet. Zooplankton were sampled weekly from each pond and from release locations of hatchery-reared Burbot (i.e., Kootenai River, Goat River, Boundary Creek, Deep Creek) to quantify prey availability. Over the course of the study (~3 months), Burbot primarily fed on Cyclopoida. Burbot never appeared to be gape limited and exhibited little variability in the size of zooplankton ingested. Zooplankton densities at stocking locations were relatively low in comparison to BCWMA ponds. Low zooplankton densities at release sites indicate that alternative management actions may need to be considered to enhance Burbot recruitment in the Kootenai River drainage
Harvest and Non-Harvest Mortality Relationships for Lesser Scaup Breeding in Southwestern Montana
Get PDFSince the mid-to-late 1990s, lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) populations have remained more than 20% below the population goal set forth in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Accordingly, considerable attention has been directed towards understanding what factors may be limiting their population, including the role of harvest. Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (RRL) in southwestern Montana is the site of a long-term study of lesser scaup ecology and demography. Preliminary harvest estimates indicate that this population is harvested at rates similar to the continental population with juveniles experiencing an annual average harvest rate of 9.1% (95% CI = 7.7 - 10.7%) and adults an average annual harvest rate of 3.6% (95% CI = 2.2 - 6.1%). Since 2005, ~1,300 female have been banded on the study site and an additional ~1,000 females have been nasal-marked. In addition, ~1,400 resightings have been collected for nasal-marked hens on the study site and ~340 dead recoveries from our study population have been reported from Canada to Mexico. With results obtained from multistrata models that utilize these multiple encounter types, I will present (1) estimates of harvest and natural mortality rates for female lesser scaup banded and nasal-marked at RRL from 2005-2016; (2) how non-harvest mortality varies in relation to harvest mortality over the same period; (3) an assessment of how these rates respond to changes in hunting regulations. These results will be used to help inform lesser scaup harvest demography, a key structural uncertainty in current harvest models identified in the draft Scaup Conservation Action Plan
Recreational Aviation and Wildlife: the Physiological Stress Response in Deer and Associated User Perceptions
Get PDFBackcountry aviation is a popular form of recreation throughout the northern Rocky Mountains; however, it is unclear whether this seasonal disturbance has adverse effects on wildlife. Using stress physiology techniques provides a mechanistic understanding of the effects of disturbance on free-living populations. The analysis of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) is an increasingly useful tool in conservation biology as it provides a non-invasive measurement of circulating stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) deposited into the feces. We quantified aircraft activity and human presence in concert with collecting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fecal samples from six backcountry airstrips and six non-airstrip recreational sites (n=12) located on public land throughout western Montana and north-central Idaho. By modeling deer FGM levels at these sites, we can evaluate the impacts of backcountry aviation on wildlife stress responses within the greater context of recreation on public lands. We also surveyed recreational pilots who frequent backcountry airstrips in the study area. The main objectives of this human dimensions analysis are to 1) measure attitudes of pilots toward seeing various wildlife species at backcountry airstrips and 2) evaluate scenarios under which pilots might alter their recreational behavior in order to mitigate potential wildlife impacts. This research represents the first attempt to model the endocrine profile of wildlife populations exposed to recreational, backcountry aviation while also providing data on current stakeholder attitudes regarding this topic. In doing so, we can gain an integrated understanding of the factors surrounding recreational aviation and wildlife backcountry airstrips