REMINISCENCES AND A BIT OF MOOSE CONFERENCE HISTORY

Abstract

The North American Moose Conference and Workshop began in 1963 with an informal meeting of biologists in St. Paul, Minnesota. Since 1966 the meetings have been held annually from Alaska to Newfoundland. While still retaining its informal nature, the group began producing written proceedings in 1967. These publications became increasingly substantial, ending in the launching of the peer reviewed journal Alces in 1981. The moose conferences have served an important function in facilitating the exchange of information, especially by providing useful meetings and field trips in different parts of the North American moose range. The Conference membership has helped to organize 4 International Moose Symposia and in the publication of the award winning book Ecology and Management of the North American Moose by the Wildlife Management Institute and The Smithsonian Institution. The accomplishments resulted from the long-term voluntary efforts of a core group centered around Lakehead University and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in Thunder Bay. The Moose Conference continues to flourish and grow after 35 years providing a useful focus for work on all aspects of moose ecology.