Wildlife and Fisheries students from 16 universities and colleges converged on Mississippi State on March 16th for the 2000 Southeastern Wildlife Conclave.

Hosted by the MSU student chapter of The Wildlife Society, the conclave is an annual event where students compete in quiz bowls, art contests, and field competitions.

"Each year a different university in the Southeast hosts the conclave," said Jared Quillen, MSU Wildlife Society Advisor. "The last time MSU hosted the conclave was in 1986."

The event began with field trips to local wildlife areas and featured presentations by professors in the College of Forest Resources. Team and individual competitions took place at MSU and at Mossy Oak Outlet in West Point.

The conclave concluded with a banquet and presentation of awards. Dr. Bruce Batt, Chief Biologist with Ducks Unlimited, was the special speaker. Plaques were given to the schools that were the top three overall winners - - Haywood Community College (North Carolina), Arkansas Technological University, and the University of Georgia.

Universities and colleges participating in the annual conclave included Arkansas State University, Arkansas Technological University, Auburn University, Clemson University, Eastern Kentucky University, Frostburg State University, Haywood Community College, Lincoln Memorial University, Louisiana State University, Murray State University, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, Tennessee Technological University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, and the University of Tennessee.