Mark Vrtiska

Mark P. Vrtiska, Professor of Practice, Wildlife Management Specialist, with the School of Natural Resources. My primary duties are instruction of undergraduate courses, serve as the coordinator for the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership (https://ternandplover.unl.edu/) and conduct research in wildlife ecology and conservation biology of threatened and endangered species. Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students are also a primary focus. Previously, I was the Waterfowl Program Manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. I served as the agency’s representative on the Central Flyway Waterfowl Technical Committee, and was the Committee’s representative on [Adaptive] Harvest Management Working Group, Service Regulations Committee, National Duck Hunter Survey, Human Dimensions Working Group, and North American Waterfowl Management Plan Revision. I also was an agency representative on the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Technical Committee and chair of the Conservation Planning Working Group of the Joint Venture. Prior to working the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, I was a Regional Biologist with Ducks Unlimited, Inc., in Ridgeland Mississippi. I was responsible for various restoration and management projects on public lands in 13 southeastern US states. I also worked on various waterfowl research projects in North Dakota, California, Oregon and Louisiana. I’m originally from Beatrice, Nebraska, and feel fortunate to have a career in wildlife conservation and management only 40 miles from my hometown. My passion for wildlife management originated from my dad taking me hunting and fishing and became more directed after my first wildlife job (a volunteer position) in northeastern Montana at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. I still like to hunt and fish, and probably now enjoy the outdoors more with my dog and grandkids.