Student presentations covered a wide range of research: from studies related to breeding ground management and population dynamics, to evaluation of agricultural policy impacts on waterfowl, to effects of contaminants on wintering waterfowl survival and future reproduction. The variety of research topics presented at the symposium is always a reminder of how complex and all-encompassing management of migratory species really is. Things like genetics, behavior, habitat, and policy all play a role in managing waterfowl, and none of these topics are missing in the collection of ongoing student research.

Many guest speakers from a variety of institutions and agencies shared their ongoing research topics with attendees. Dr. Mike Eicholz (Southern Illinois University) discussed wetland restoration evaluation, Dr. Tom Nudds (University of Guelph) contrasted nest success patterns between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Scott Petrie (Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund) took us on a trip with satellite marked scaup from the Lower Great Lakes, Jim Devries (Institute for Wetlands and Waterfowl Research) outlined Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Pintail nesting ecology study, and Dr. Ray Alisauskas (Canadian Wildlife Service and University of Saskatchewan) discussed population reduction efforts on mid-continent lesser snow geese.

In addition to the formal side of the symposium, students participated in the Delta tradition of clay shooting. Everyone - from those who had never handled a gun to experienced shooters - enjoyed the event that was made possible Tim Putnam of Green Bay Sporting Clays. After the clay shoot, everyone enjoyed a slide show of some of Fred Greenslade’s amazing duck photos.

The 2007 symposium was an outstanding outing with many excellent presentations. At the closing awards ceremony Kevin Podruzny from Montana State University won the “Best PhD Presentation” award for his talk on the effects of climate and agricultural trends on prairie duck populations. Chris Martin from the University of Guelph was awarded the “Best Masters Presentation” award for his talk on the dynamics of waterfowl predation in prairie ecosystems. Matt Pieron from Louisiana State University was awarded the Edward L. Clarke Prize for his talk on mallard breeding population responses to predator management. Travis See got the “Best Question from a Research Assistant” award, and Marissa Gnoinski and Julia Taloti were awarded 1st and 2nd place respectively in the Webster Writing competition for research assistants.