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CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND ABSTRACT BOOKLET PDF
Join us in Traverse City—one of the Midwest’s most unforgettable destinations! Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, this vibrant city blends rich Anishinaabe heritage with breathtaking natural beauty and a thriving food and wine scene.
Explore freshwater beaches, winding rivers, lush forests, and the awe-inspiring Sleeping Bear Dunes—voted “The Most Beautiful Place in America” by Good Morning America. As the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City is also a hub for agritourism, offering orchards, vineyards, and award-winning wineries, all thriving along the 45th parallel.
Food lovers will be in heaven—this city ranks among the nation’s top foodie towns, with everything from gourmet farm-to-table dining to creative food trucks.
With a walkable downtown, easy access to outdoor adventures, and a unique cultural pulse, Traverse City is the perfect setting for inspiration, connection, and discovery.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Important Reminders:
Presentation Uploads
Please ensure that your presentation is uploaded one day before your talk! You can update presentations in the Speaker Preview Room.
Travel & Shuttle Service
If flying into Traverse City, remember to call the Park Place Hotel at least 48 hours in advance of arriving and departure to reserve your free shuttle.
If you can’t book the shuttle, please use Uber or these recommended taxi services:
Up North Taxi – (231) 499-0269
My Taxi – (231) 409-5776
Odawa Country Taxi – (231) 946-2222
Big Chief Transportation – (231) 392-2509
Mentor Lunch
The Mentor Lunch will be held Tuesday in Top of the Park. If you haven’t signed up yet, please consider joining using this form:
Socials
If you’d like to introduce yourself, post announcements, or organize room- or transportation-sharing ahead of the meeting, check out our new Discord Server!
DISCORD
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Time | Monday 9/29/2025 | Tuesday 9/30/2025 | Wednesday 10/1/2025 | Thursday 10/2/2025 | Friday 10/3/2025 | ||||||
8:00 - 8:30 | - Council Meeting - Waterbird Plan Round Table | Announcements | Announcements | Announcements | FIELD TRIPS | ||||||
8:30 - 9:30 | Plenary - Francie Cuthbert | Plenary - Chip Wesloh | Plenary - David Duffy | ||||||||
9:30 - 10:00 | BREAK | BREAK | BREAK | ||||||||
10:00 - 12:00 | Rail Symposium | CWB Symposium | Breeding Biology | Common Tern Symposium | Habitat & Distribution | Piping Plover Symposium | Movement & Behavior | ||||
12:00 - 1:00 | LUNCH | ONSITE LUNCH | ONSITE LUNCH | ONSITE LUNCH | |||||||
Student Mentoring Lunch | |||||||||||
1:00 - 3:00 | - Council Meeting - Waterbird Plan Round Table | Rail Symposium | CWB Symposium | Workshop | Common Tern Symposium | Habitat & Distribution | Conservation & Restoration | Piping Plover Symposium | Movement & Behavior | Contaminants & Disease | |
3:00 - 3:30 | BREAK | BREAK | BREAK | ||||||||
3:30 - 5:00 | Rail Symposium | Population Biology | Workshop | Common Tern Symposium | Manoomin: Wild Rice Teachings, Traditions & Conservation | Piping Plover Symposium | |||||
4:30 | Business Meeting | ||||||||||
6:00 - 8:00 | Welcome Reception | Poster Session | Student Social - Rare Bird Brewpub | Banquet |