2027 Annual Meeting of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society
Welcome Message from the Meeting Chair,
Angel R. Ramirez
Warm greetings to each of you. It is an honor to write my first official message to the membership as President-Elect of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society. I have been looking forward to this opportunity and am grateful for the chance to share a little about myself, the role of President-Elect, and the vision behind the theme for our 2027 Annual Conference.
One of the primary responsibilities of the President-Elect is to develop the theme for the following year’s conference. As I reflected on what message I hoped would resonate with our membership, I found myself considering my own journey into wildlife biology, the people and experiences that guided me along the way, and the challenges facing both human and natural communities today. I thought about the many paths that brought each of us to this profession and the ways those paths intersect through our shared commitment to conservation.
The result of that reflection is the 2027 conference theme: “Interwoven Paths: Navigating Migratory Routes and Rediscovering Our Own.”
This theme was inspired in part by my family’s story. My grandparents migrated to this country and eventually settled in Oxnard, California, where they worked on the railroad and at the time the second largest sugar beet factory in the U.S., as many migrant farm workers did at that time. Their journey, sacrifices, and perseverance shaped my understanding of community, opportunity, and belonging. At the same time, I reflected on the experiences of people in our communities today who continue to navigate uncertainty, displacement, terror, and the many other challenges associated with migration.
As wildlife professionals, migration is a concept deeply embedded in our work. We study and protect the corridors, flyways, and seasonal movements that are essential to the survival of countless species. Yet migration also extends beyond ecology. It speaks to movement, adaptation, resilience, and the search for a place to belong. I wanted this year’s theme to recognize both dimensions: the importance of conserving wildlife migration routes and the stories of people whose lives have been shaped by journeys of their own.
While developing this theme, I was reminded of a comment made by a longtime member of our section during a past conference. They shared that attending the Western Section conference helps “reinstill my values because sometimes over a long year you ask yourself what is it all for? Then I come here [the TWS-WS Conference], and everyone reminds me what it’s all for.” I suspect many of us have experienced that same feeling. In a profession that can be demanding and, at times, isolating, our conference serves as a powerful reminder that we are part of something larger than ourselves.
Our annual gathering provides more than an opportunity to share research and professional expertise. It creates space for connection, mentorship, and community. It reminds us that our individual careers are linked to those of our colleagues, students, mentors, and partners. Our paths are truly interwoven. By coming together, we gain perspective on where we have been, where we are going, and what first inspired us to pursue this work.
Through this theme, I hope participants will explore migration as both a biological phenomenon and a personal metaphor. I encourage presenters and attendees alike to consider the routes traveled by wildlife, the pathways that have shaped their careers, and the experiences that continue to guide their work in conservation. Whether you are just beginning your professional journey, managing large programs, conducting field research, teaching future scientists, or retired but still engaged in mentorship, each of your stories contributes to the collective story of our profession.
I am incredibly proud to be part of the Western Section and continually inspired by the passion, expertise, and dedication of our members. I look forward to working alongside all of you as we prepare for the 2027 conference and explore what it means to navigate our interwoven paths together.
Thank you for all that you do for wildlife, conservation, and one another.
Peace,
Angel R. Ramirez
President-Elect, Western Section of The Wildlife Society