Purdue Student Chapter The Wildlife Society

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Purdue Student Chapter The Wildlife Society The Wildlife Society (TWS) is an international organization committed to the advancement of wildlife science and management.

Activities of the Purdue chapter vary year to year but have a common goal of increasing our members' understanding of wildlife biology, management, and science through hands on experiences and invited speakers. Previous speakers have included professionals from, USDA Wildlife Services, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Indiana DNR, and Purdue University. Previous activities include building nesting structures for wildlife, a wildlife quiz bowl, and trips to look for birds and amphibians. The field of wildlife biology is an important and diverse field. The Purdue Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society helps educate future professionals of the field on up to date research findings and techniques, provides its members with many opportunities to interact with current professionals, and educates those members through fun hands on work in the outdoors. All students interested in wildlife management and research are encouraged to get involved with this great organization!

This week, our Mammals Working Group Leader is introducing a squirrel photo competition. Take pictures of squirrels arou...
10/26/2026

This week, our Mammals Working Group Leader is introducing a squirrel photo competition. Take pictures of squirrels around campus and send them to [email protected] up until Friday night, October 30th. Then, we will hold a vote over the weekend for your favorite! So go out there and photograph our campus squirrels!

We had a great time going to Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area for the Covey Count! Students were able to hear Northern...
10/25/2026

We had a great time going to Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area for the Covey Count! Students were able to hear Northern Bobwhites and enjoy a beautiful sunrise. Thank you to Property Manager, Robert Brinkman, for the opportunity!

Join us on Wednesday, October 28th, at 6 PM in FORS 216 to hear from Robert Suseland! Robert serves as a Habitat Special...
10/23/2026

Join us on Wednesday, October 28th, at 6 PM in FORS 216 to hear from Robert Suseland! Robert serves as a Habitat Specialist with Tippecanoe County Soil and Water Conservation District. Learn about his journey from studying at Purdue to working for professional organizations. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Happy   everyone! This week, we are discussing arguably the most symbolic pollinator, the monarch butterfly (π·π‘Žπ‘›π‘Žπ‘’π‘  𝑝𝑙𝑒π‘₯...
10/21/2026

Happy everyone! This week, we are discussing arguably the most symbolic pollinator, the monarch butterfly (π·π‘Žπ‘›π‘Žπ‘’π‘  𝑝𝑙𝑒π‘₯𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑠). Its iconic orange and black markings serve as predator protection, warning of its toxicity from toxins called cardenolides that are obtained from consuming milkweed plants. Originally from North America, this butterfly has dispersed to other parts of the world and is found on islands in the Pacific Ocean to the western edge of Europe. North American monarchs are divided into eastern and western populations, being separated by the Rocky Mountains. The eastern population is the largest population of monarchs, encompassing 70% of the total North American range. They may fly more than 2,000 miles to reach overwintering sites in the fall. The western population migrates between 300 and 1,000 miles and overwinters in groves along the California coast.


Photo by Karl Wing
Information from FWS.gov

Thank you to our guest speaker, Dr. Dylan Osterhaus, and everyone who joined us last Wednesday. We learned about his res...
10/19/2026

Thank you to our guest speaker, Dr. Dylan Osterhaus, and everyone who joined us last Wednesday. We learned about his research at the White Sands Missile Range, light pollution effects on migrating birds, and the Purdue Aeroecology labs work on Lights Out alerts! Thank you to everyone who attended, and we look forward to seeing you all at our H**p Hike this Wednesday at Purdue Wildlife Area!

This event has been rescheduled, and the following post has been updated to reflect the changes!Join us on Wednesday, Oc...
10/17/2026

This event has been rescheduled, and the following post has been updated to reflect the changes!

Join us on Wednesday, October 21st, at 5:30 PM at Purdue Wildlife Area (PWA) for a fun evening of herping! With the weather getting colder, this may be one of the last opportunities to find amphibians and reptiles. We will be out in the ponds, so bring waders or rainboots if you have them. Carpooling can be provided if you need a ride to PWA. This event is open to all dues-paying members. Sign up on the GroupMe if you are interested!

This event has been rescheduled, and the following post has been updated to reflect the changes! Join TWS and Robert Bri...
10/17/2026

This event has been rescheduled, and the following post has been updated to reflect the changes!

Join TWS and Robert Brinkman, property manager at Willow Slough FWA, to assist with a Northern Bobwhite Quail Covey Count. Volunteers listen for coveys or groups of quail calling in a particular area to estimate fall abundance. Participants will stand completely still in the field for an hour. It may be 50 degrees outside, so dress in warm clothing. Mosquitos at Willow Slough have been bad lately, so bring bug spray and mosquito nets if you have them! We will meet at Willow Sloughs shop at 5:30 AM CT/6:30 ET on October 19th and will return to campus around 10:30 AM ET. Please complete the survey on GroupMe if you are interested, even if you previously submitted a response. Only 30 members are able to participate, so sign up ASAP!

Welcome back to class and happy   ! This week, we are discussing the red-eared slider (π‘‡π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘β„Žπ‘’π‘šπ‘¦π‘  π‘ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘π‘‘π‘Ž π‘’π‘™π‘’π‘”π‘Žπ‘›π‘ ). This ...
10/14/2026

Welcome back to class and happy ! This week, we are discussing the red-eared slider (π‘‡π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘β„Žπ‘’π‘šπ‘¦π‘  π‘ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘π‘‘π‘Ž π‘’π‘™π‘’π‘”π‘Žπ‘›π‘ ). This is a subspecies of the pond slider (π‘‡π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘β„Žπ‘’π‘šπ‘¦π‘  π‘ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘π‘‘π‘Ž) and is native to the southern United States and the northern portion of Mexico, but it has become established in other places due to its extremely popular status as a pet. Young look practically identical regardless of s*x, but distinguishing adults is much easier. Mature males have smaller shells, longer claws, and are generally smaller than females. But this can be a difficult parameter to apply when comparing individuals of different ages. Red-eared sliders do not hibernate but instead brumate. Becoming less active in October and occasionally rising to the surface for food or air. Brumation typically occurs under water, but they have been found under banks, rocks, and in hollow stumps.



Photo by Donatella Mudica
Information from iNaturalist.org

Join The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and The Purdue Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society on Thursday...
10/13/2026

Join The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and The Purdue Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society on Thursday, October 22nd, from 4 - 7 PM EST at Stewart Woods in Horticulture Park. Engage in nature hikes, guided meditation sessions, and other fun, nature-inspired activities! This event is open to all members of Purdue and the Greater Lafayette community. Scan the QR code to register!

Our Birds Working Group had a great time at the art night in the FNR collection! Students were able to see specimens tha...
10/11/2026

Our Birds Working Group had a great time at the art night in the FNR collection! Students were able to see specimens that are normally not on display, relax for a few hours and draw these wonderful pictures. Thank you to Rachel Brent, Collection Curator, for letting the club view her specimens and use the collection room! Collections like these are incredibly important to research, education, and understanding life histories. If you want to participate in events like these, consider joining the Purdue Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 14th, at 6 PM in FORS 216. We hope to see you there, and happy fall break!

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