As of April 28, 2022
The courses below are currently scheduled as live, in-person courses in Spokane, Washington, except where noted. AFS will notify registrants of any course schedule changes due to travel restrictions. Check back often – courses will be added to the schedule as additional speakers confirm their participation.
Saturday, August 20
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Bayesian I: Introductory Bayesian Inference with JAGS for Fish Biologists
Interest in applying Bayesian inference to fisheries analyses has grown over the last several decades, however, computational implementation remains a barrier for many practitioners given these methods are generally not part of traditional university curricula. This workshop is intended for fisheries professionals with an interest in learning about Bayesian methods and how to use JAGS to implement them on their own data sets. JAGS is a widely used and free program that allows specification of conditional probability models and interfaces cleanly with the R programming environment (basic R experience recommended). Foundational topics on Bayesian implementation will include distinctions and advantages/disadvantages of Bayesian versus classical inference, Bayes’ Theorem, prior/posterior distributions and their roles, basics of MCMC methods and the diagnosis of MCMC convergence issues. These topics will be covered via lecture material throughout much of the morning and explored in the afternoon with some limited JAGS examples including simple mean/variance estimation, comparison of posteriors, linear, and (time-allowing) non-linear regression.
Instructors:
Henry Hershey
Auburn University
Benjamin Staton
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
Introductory ArcGIS/QGIS for Fisheries Biologists
This course will serve as an introduction to using spatial data in a geographic information system platform. Participants will learn fundamental concepts of using geographic information and gain experience applying those concepts in hands-on exercises to accomplish real world tasks that might be conducted by a fisheries biologist.
Participants will learn how to create maps using best practices; locate and read metadata; use existing datasets; create new datasets by digitizing or incorporating field-collected spatial information; join tabular data to spatial data; use geoprocessing methods to summarize metrics; and carry out other GIS operations useful for fisheries biologists.
Instructors:
Hadley Boehm
University of Missouri
Jodi Whittier
University of Missouri
Sunday, August 21
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Advanced ArcGIS/QGIS for Fisheries Biologists
This course will introduce participants to advanced concepts and tools for manipulating and summarizing spatial datasets using the ArcGIS and QGIS platforms. The concepts and basis of the tools will be applicable to other GIS platforms such as program R. Topics covered include: geoprocessing, interpolation, simple geostatistics, building spatial networks, and conducting aerial image classifications. The course will be a combination of lectures and hands-on exercises using examples that might be encountered by a fisheries biologist.
Instructors:
Hadley Boehm
University of Missouri
Jodi Whittier
University of Missouri
Bayesian II: Intermediate Bayesian Inference with JAGS for Fish Biologists
Bayesian II is a continuation of topics covered in Bayesian I to cover more advanced topics in JAGS modeling. Although it is possible to register for only Bayesian II, it is recommended that participants have some previous experience with Bayesian inference and JAGS should they choose this route. Analyses will include assorted GLMs (logistic, Poisson, negative binomial, and zero-inflated Poisson regression), goodness-of-fit checks, Cormack-Jolly-Seber models, and (time allowing) state-space population dynamics models (e.g., spawner-recruit analysis). Each model and example data set will be covered via lecture material prior to coding the model in JAGS to ensure all participants are familiar with each new model and topic.
Instructors:
Henry Hershey
Auburn University
Benjamin Staton
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
Electrofishing Measurements and Methods (EMM)
EMM emphasizes practical aspects of electrofishing while covering enough theory to give
participants (i.e., registrants) a confident grasp of electrofishing principles. EMM is a 1-day
course that consists of theory and method presentations during three 70-minute sessions in the
morning. The afternoon is devoted to three 70-minute sessions of lab-style training by handson
use of electrical instruments (e.g., portable oscilloscope). The course concludes with
participants developing a chart for standardized electrofishing and evaluating their skill and
knowledge by testing. At conclusion of the course, each participant receives descriptive
certification of formal training (but not user certification; that is an employer responsibility).
Instructor:
James “Jim” Reynolds
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Emeritus
Database Concepts, Design, and Application in Wildlife and Fisheries Science
Introduction to Instream and Insalmo, Salmonid Models for Instream Flow and Temperature Assessment and Habitat Restoration Design
This workshop will train participants in the use of InSTREAM and InSALMO, innovative instream flow and temperature assessment models for trout and freshwater life stages of salmon. These are individual-based simulation models that represent a virtual stream and how individual fish select habitat, grow, survive or die, and reproduce. They predict how population characteristics such as abundance, biomass, and persistence differ among alternative flow and temperature regimes. These models have been in development and use for over 20 years and have been applied at >50 sites.
Instructor:
Steven Railsback
Lang Railsback & Associates
Bret Harvey
USDA Forest Service, Redwood Sciences Laboratory
Lamprey Habitat, Passage, and Importance - morning session**
Lamprey Biology & Field Survey - afternoon session
**Attendees may register for the morning session, afternoon session, or both! See the registration page for details.
The program is planned in response to the “lack of awareness” related to Pacific Lamprey (& other local lamprey species) and the associated impact on their management/conservation. The needs include enhanced awareness, knowledge, and understanding of biology, identification techniques, requirements for habitat and passage, survey methods, and tribal cultural importance. The target audience includes both field technicians as well as managers – both of these groups serve important critical roles in managing/conserving lamprey species. We would like to focus primarily on the following types of target audiences: field technicians working on fish surveys, fish monitoring, passage, rescue/salvage, and/or habitat restoration, and managers associated with those same topics in addition to general management, restoration and mitigation of fish species.
Instructors:
Ralph Lapman
Yakama Nation Fisheries Pacific Lamprey Project
Monica Blanchard
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife / U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Anne Grote
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Tyler Beals
Yakama Nation Fisheries Pacific Lamprey Project
Dave’y Lumley
Yakama Nation Fisheries Pacific Lamprey Project
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Engaging New Audiences with Hands-on Fisheries Education
Course Pricing
Member Type | Full Day | Half Day |
|---|---|---|
Student Member | $125 | $65 |
Student Nonmember | $150 | $75 |
Early Career Professional Member | $150 | $75 |
Regular Member | $175 | $190 |
Nonmember | $250 | $150 |