In 2025, the North Central Section (NCS) of The Wildlife Society conducted a membership survey to better understand the needs and priorities of wildlife professionals and students across our section. The survey was open to current and former NCS members, as well as wildlife professionals and students living in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

We received 189 responses representing a broad range of our membership and regional wildlife community. Respondents reflected a wide cross-section of the NCS region, with responses from professionals, students, and retirees representing all eight states and a wide range of affiliations.

Survey responses highlighted several important themes:

• Members highly value supporting the mission of The Wildlife Society and the wildlife profession, as well as the sense of professional community the NCS provides.

• Conferences, workshops, and professional development opportunities were identified as valued components of NCS membership.

• Members expressed interest in expanded professional development offerings; however, preferred topics and formats varied across membership category (Student, Early-Career, Regular, Retired), providing valuable insight for tailoring future offerings to specific member needs.

• Respondents reported strong involvement in state chapters, The Wildlife Society, and other professional organizations, highlighting the importance of ensuring NCS provides unique and complementary opportunities for members.

·         Many respondents are unsure what the North Central Section does or how it provides value beyond state chapters and the parent society. Several said the section feels redundant, irrelevant, or not worth the added cost. This highlights the need for improved communication about the role, value, and offerings of NCS.

• Communication preferences and awareness of NCS programs varied, suggesting opportunities to improve outreach and member engagement.

• Respondents also provided valuable feedback on barriers to membership retention and ways NCS can better support wildlife professionals at different career stages.

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The survey results will help guide future NCS priorities, communications, and member engagement efforts. The Executive Board will continue reviewing feedback and identifying opportunities to strengthen support for the wildlife community throughout the North Central region.

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their perspectives. Your feedback is helping shape the future of NCS.