The annual Spring Conference of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society will take place 25-27 of March, 2020 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Jacksonville Baymeadows. The theme of the conference will be Diversity: In Our Wildlife and Our Profession.
Join us for the annual Spring Meeting of the Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society in Jacksonville, late March 2020. The Meeting will include a symposium, Chapter business meeting, networking socials, student interaction activities, keynote speakers, technical sessions, poster session, banquet dinner, awards ceremony, and several field trips.
The Meeting will be 25-27 March 2020 at the Embassy Suites, 9300 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256. The special meeting room rate is $94 per night (2-room suite). Please reference “The Wildlife Society Florida Chapter” or group code “WSF” when reserving by phone at 1-904-899-9517 or online at FLTWS Room Reservations 2020. Our room block will fill quickly and expire on 28 February 2020; make your room reservations now. You may cancel up to 48 hours prior to March 25 and still receive a full refund, so book now to be safe.
The conference theme is Diversity: In Our Wildlife and Our Profession. Papers and posters dealing with any wildlife-related topic are encouraged, including ecology, economics, management, restoration, risk assessment, policy and regulation, evolutionary biology, new ideas, and inter-disciplinary projects. Continuing education credits will be available. The deadline for submitting presentation and poster abstracts is 17 February 2020. Abstracts will be included in a meeting program booklet; proceedings will not be published. For more information, including submission details and guidelines, please visit Call For Papers.
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 the student interaction activity, reduced registration fee, and FREE double occupancy room stay (volunteer time required). Contact Monica Folk at monica.folk@fltws.org for more information on options and to sign up for free lodging.
PROFESSIONALS - Non-student travel grants are available. See Travel Grant for application and submission instructions, due by 21 February 2020.
REGISTRATION – Register online here. (Prices include conference program, evening socials, morning coffee, meeting breaks/snacks, and Thursday banquet. Three Friday morning field trips are available (limited to 25 each) with registration.
· Students - $65 prior to February 29; $85 after February 29
· Members - $100 prior to February 29; $120 after February 29
· Nonmembers - $130 prior to February 29; $150 after February 29
-Onsite registration is $150. Banquet dinners for additional guests can be purchased for $30.
-A $25 cancellation fee will apply to registrations cancelled after March 15.
***EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS 28 February 2020***
Sponsors - The FLTWS Meeting is a great opportunity to build relationships and support wildlife research and management by registering as an exhibitor and/or sponsor. Sponsor opportunities include door prizes, silent auction items, refreshment breaks, education/research grants, and field trip coordination, just to name a few. If you have additional questions, please contact Mark Ausley, Fundraising Co-Chair at mark.ausley@fltws.org.
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DRAFT AGENDA (times and content subject to change)
Wednesday, March 25
11:00am Registration (Atrium), Poster setup (Jacksonville)
Lunch on your own
1:00pm Symposium: Diversity in the Wildlife Profession (Nassau)
3:30pm Break
4:00pm Business Meeting: all encouraged to attend-Prizes!! (Nassau)
5:30pm Networking Social (Atrium) / Raffle (Flagler)
Dinner on your own
Thursday, March 26
Breakfast on your own (hotel provided)
8:30am Plenary Session I: Maintaining Wildlife Diversity through Policy (Nassau)
10:00am Break
10:30am Plenary Session II: Maintaining Diversity through Corridor Conservation (Nassau)
11:30am Lunch on your own (hotel provided buffet for small additional cost)
1:00pm Concurrent Technical Sessions (St. Johns/Nassau)
2:40pm Break
3:00pm Concurrent Technical Sessions (St. Johns/Nassau)
5:30pm Poster Session Social (Atrium/Jacksonville) / Silent Auction (Flagler)
7:00pm Banquet and Awards Ceremony
Friday, March 27
Breakfast on your own (hotel provided)
8:00am Field trip to Huegenot Park– shorebird identification
8:15am Field trip to Pumpkin Hill – habitat management and restoration
8:30am Field trip to Jacksonville Zoo – behind the scenes
Noon Adjourn