Welcome to the 49th Annual Waterbird Conference!

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF VERSION OF THE PROGRAM!

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:

Mentor Lunch Sign-Up 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

 

TimeMonday 9/29/2025Tuesday 9/30/2025Wednesday 10/1/2025Thursday 10/2/2025Friday 10/3/2025
8:00 - 8:30 - Council Meeting

- Waterbird Plan Round Table
AnnouncementsAnnouncementsAnnouncementsFIELD TRIPS
8:30 - 9:30 Plenary - Francie CuthbertPlenary - Chip WeslohPlenary - David Duffy
9:30 - 10:00 BREAKBREAKBREAK
10:00 - 12:00 Rail SymposiumCWB SymposiumBreeding BiologyCommon Tern SymposiumHabitat & Distribution
Piping Plover SymposiumMovement & Behavior
12:00 - 1:00 LUNCHONSITE LUNCHONSITE LUNCHONSITE LUNCH
Student Mentoring Lunch
1:00 - 3:00- Council Meeting

 - Waterbird Plan Round Table
Rail SymposiumCWB SymposiumWorkshopCommon Tern SymposiumHabitat & DistributionConservation & RestorationPiping Plover SymposiumMovement & BehaviorContaminants & Disease
3:00 - 3:30 BREAKBREAKBREAK
3:30 - 5:00 Rail SymposiumPopulation BiologyWorkshopCommon Tern Symposium
Manoomin: Wild Rice Teachings, Traditions & ConservationPiping Plover Symposium
4:30


Business Meeting
6:00 - 8:00 Welcome ReceptionPoster SessionStudent Social - Rare Bird BrewpubBanquet


Conference Dates


Sep 29, 2025
Oct 03, 2025
Add to Calendar 20250929T0001 20251003T2359 The Waterbird Society Meeting 2025 CLICK HERE FOR A PDF VERSION OF THE PROGRAM!
​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...
https://wbs2025meeting.dryfta.com/
Traverse City, MI The Waterbird Society Meeting 2025 Rachael_Pierce@fws.gov

Traverse City Photo Gallery