Purdue Student Chapter The Wildlife Society

Our H**ps Working Group is hosting a H**p Hike at Prophetstown State Park at 12:00 PM this Saturday, May 2nd! Hopefully, the group will be able to see some snakes, turtles, and other herps on the hike. Please see the GroupMe for the signup link, carpooling sheet, and other information!

Last Friday, our members were able to go powder tracking with Dr. Zollner and the wildlife practicum TAs! After successfully powdering a small mammal, they were able to track its fluorescent powder trail after dark with UV flashlights.

All officer positions have now been filled for the 2026-27 term! Ava Miller will be joining the TWS officer team, serving as the Student Council Representative for our student chapter.

Join us at our De-Stress Event on Wednesday, April 29th from 6:00-7:00 PM at Martell Forest! We are collaborating with the Boiler Green Organizations Coalition (BGO) for this event, there will be various crafts and outdoor activities, and food/drinks will be provided. We hope to see everyone there!

A big thank you to our last guest speaker, Dr. Carolyn Burt, who led an engaging discussion on light pollution and its impacts on humans and wildlife! Here are some photos from our final general meeting of the year, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone at our de-stress event this Wednesday.

Join us at our last meeting of the semester, De-Stress with TWS, on Wednesday, April 29th from 6:00-7:00 PM at Martell Forest! We will have various crafts and outdoor activities, and food/drinks will be provided. We hope to see everyone there!

Happy ! Today, we're learning about the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (𝘚𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘴). This species can be seen across North and Central America from the northern extent of its distribution in Alaska to the southern extent in Panama. Its name relates to its feeding method, since the Sapsucker drills organized systems of wells into trees to release sap. Individual Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers will continuously maintain and defend their well systems, as many other birds and wildlife species try to feed upon the sap and any insects that it attracts. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker can also indirectly support other species in its community by excavating cavities in trees. Species that cannot excavate their own nesting cavities (such as the northern flying squirrel) often take advantage of these empty or abandoned cavities.

Photo by Elena Boughton
Information from birdsoftheworld.org

We are collaborating with .scee and to bring you another Photography Workshop on Saturday, April 25th at 2:00 PM! Again, meet in the eastern parking lot of Horticulture Park. Join us to learn about some tips and tricks for wildlife photography (no fancy equipment required)!

Our Birds Working Group is hosting a Wingspan Night on Monday, April 27th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM in ABE B073! Wingspan is a bird-themed board game, perfect for anyone who loves to strategize or simply have a fun time with friends. All dues-paying members are welcome!

Our Hunting Working Group is collaborating with the Purdue Student Chapter of the American Fisheries Society () to host a Hook-and-Line Sampling Event on Saturday, April 25th at 3:00 PM at Harrison Creek! If you would like to learn more about this event and sign up, please check out our GroupMe.