10-12 April 2019

Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront

A Celebration of 50 years of the Florida Chapter:

Wildlife Professionals Making a Difference

Join us for the annual Spring Meeting of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society. The Meeting will include a symposium, business meeting, plenary session, technical sessions, poster session, networking social, storytelling, bingo for students, banquet dinner, awards ceremony, field trips, and a workshop.

The Meeting is an excellent opportunity for students and professionals engaged in wildlife research or habitat management in Florida to present recent results, talk about ongoing projects, discuss collaborations, and share ideas. The conference theme is A Celebration of 50 years of the Florida Chapter: Wildlife Professionals Making a Difference. Papers and posters dealing with any wildlife-related topic are encouraged, including ecology, economics, management, restoration, risk assessment, policy and regulation, evolutionary biology, and interdisciplinary projects.

Several unique aspects of the Meeting will honor this being the 50th anniversary of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society. The Symposium will highlight several senior chapter members who will share their Reflections on a Career with Wildlife in Florida. An evening storytelling session will highlight entertaining stories and encounters members have experienced while working with wildlife. Lastly, the Plenary will showcase TWS President Dr. Darren Miller, SETWS president Dr. Mike Megak, and SETWS Representative Dr. Mike Conner, presenting on Leadership, Collaborations, and Mentorship in the Wildlife Profession.

The Meeting will take place 10-12 April 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront, 2605 North A1A, Melbourne, FL 32903. The special meeting room rate is $128 per night (standard room) or $159 (coastal room) with a valid tax exempt certificate. Please reference “The Wildlife Society Florida Chapter” or group code “WSC” when reserving by phone at 1-877-701-9252 or online HERE. Our room block will be held until March 20, 2019, so make your room reservations soon!

CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS - The deadline for submitting presentation and poster abstracts is March 15th. Abstracts will be edited and included in a meeting program booklet; proceedings will not be published. For more information, including submission details and guidelines, click here.

STUDENTS - Papers and posters from students are greatly encouraged, with cash prizes for the best student paper ($150) and best student poster ($75). Additional incentives include a prize for students in People Bingo, reduced registration fee, and a FREE 1-night double occupancy room stay (available on a first-come basis, some volunteer time is required). Contact Monica Folk for more information on all these options.

PROFESSIONALS - A limited number of non-student travel grants are available. See here for the grant application and submission instructions. Please note that travel grant applications are due by March 15 and notification will be given shortly thereafter. If your grant application is submitted on time, even if it is not approved, we will honor the early registration rate.

REGISTRATION - Register below. (Prices include conference program, evening social, morning coffee, meeting breaks/snacks, and Thursday banquet. Friday field trips or workshop available on first-come basis, with slight charge for logistics as required).

· Members - $115 prior to March 15; $135 after March 15

· Nonmembers - $145 prior to March 15; $165 after March 15

· Students - $70 prior to March 15; $90 after March 15

-Banquet dinners for additional guests can be purchased for $35 each

FIELD TRIP DETAILS BELOW

-A $25 cancellation fee will apply to registrations cancelled after March 31.

***EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS 15 March 2019***

DRAFT AGENDA (times and content subject to change)

Wednesday, April 10

11:00am Registration, Poster setup

1:00pm Symposium. Reflections on Careers Working with Wildlife in Florida

3:30pm Break

4:00pm Business Meeting (all encouraged to attend—Prizes!!)

5:30pm Networking Social / Raffle

7:00pm Storytelling (may begin at 7:30 or 8:00pm instead - Larry will decide)

Thursday, April 11

7:15am Breakfast on your own

8:30am Plenary Session. Leadership, Collaborations, and Mentorship in the Wildlife Profession

10:00am Break

10:30am Concurrent Sessions (Student Papers)

Noon Lunch on your own

1:30pm Concurrent Sessions (Student Papers, Technical Papers)

3:00pm Break

3:30pm Concurrent Sessions (Technical Papers)

5:30pm Poster Session Social / Silent Auction

7:00pm Banquet and Awards Ceremony

Friday, April 12

7:00am Breakfast on your own

8:30am Workshop

8:00am Fieldtrip

Noon Adjourn