Welcome to the 88^th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. This year marks the 18^th time, and the last time, that I will have the privilege of providing the Conference’s opening address. More importantly, we will recognize and celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. But first, thank you, Sara for your welcome to Missouri address. I also want to thank Matt Dunfee, the conference organizer, Cindy Delaney, and her talented team for assisting us in this conference. As always, I thank all of you for your participation and financial support to make this 88^th conference successful.

Unsecured garbage and other other attractants is a leading cause of preventable bear mortality in North America. The last two decades have seen a proliferation of bear-resistant garbage containers, garbage can enclosures, backpacking canisters, coolers, food storage lockers, and other products to secure potential bear attractants. The Wildlife Management Institute is working with partners to test outdoor products with captive black bears to certify that they are bear-resistant.

The George Bird Grinnell Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Natural Resource Conservation was awarded to outgoing Wildlife Management Institute President Steve Williams at last month’s 88^th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

It’s good to be here with you all. I look out among the attendees here and see so many incredibly dedicated, passionate, and purposeful wildlife professionals. It is energizing and invigorating for me just to share this week with all of you.

The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) is soliciting applications for a training course that will improve knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to understand and develop trusting relationships with the full diversity of conservation constituents, including those who have been historically marginalized. After working with over 15 state agencies on projects to implement the Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap (Relevancy Roadmap) and engaging broader constituencies to enhance conservation outcomes, WMI uncovered a common barrier – building relationships with constituencies that have not previously engaged with the agency. Strengthening staff KSAs will also improve existing relationships with hunters, anglers, and those that already engage with the agency by improving understanding of the breadth of values and wildlife-related perspectives, needs, and interests of the public they serve.

Each year the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) Program within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides a nationwide update of accomplishments. We invite you to visit us online and join us on social media. It is a great time to be a part of the CRU Program, and we hope that you look forward to learning about our most recent accomplishments throughout our reports of interest and online.