REGISTER NOW
**Please note that printed copies of the full program schedule will not be provided at the joint conference. A limited number of schedule-at-a-glance copies will be available onsite, so if you’d like a printed version of the full schedule, we recommend bringing your own.** Be sure to check out our co-hosts linked below!
2026 SPONSOR PLEDGES & DISPLAY SPACE INFORMATION: The Joint Conference is a three-day event on which includes technical presentations, focused symposia, professional interaction forums, plenary sessions, and student mentoring events. These events provide opportunities for wildlife students and professionals to learn about, discuss, and potentially influence diverse aspects of wildlife conservation and management. Ready to sponsor the 2026 Joint Conference in Seaside, OR? Please click the form HERE for more sponsorship details and display space information.
♥ THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS →
SUBMISSONS FOR THE 2026 JOINT CONFERENCE ARE CLOSED! *Abstract submission deadline: December 5, 2025. View our call for abstracts HERE for details on talk lengths, poster guidelines, special sessions, and more!
This year’s theme explores how research informs wildlife policy. With recent cuts to federal science programs and the removal of key resources from government websites, we’re asking: how do we ensure that the best available science continues to guide management decisions at local, state, and federal levels?
If your research has shaped policy—or has the potential to—please consider joining us at the 2026 Joint Conference. Likewise, if policy plays a role in how you approach research or wildlife management, we welcome your perspective. State, Tribal, university, NGO, and federal wildlife professionals are encouraged to participate as we seek to strengthen collaboration and share knowledge that drives wildlife science and stewardship forward.
QUESTIONS regarding abstract submission or have an idea for a special session? Please contact: Vanessa Schroeder // vanessaschroeder@ortws.org
REGISTRATION DETAILS & CONSIDERATIONS
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Rates marked with an asterisk* apply to ORTWS, NW PARC & SNVB Partner Organization Members.
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† Grad Student / Early Career: Students currently enrolled in a graduate-level wildlife-related program, or recent graduates with less than 3 years of employment experience in the wildlife profession.
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Early registration deadline: January 17, 2026.
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Late registration applies January 18 – February 25, 2026.
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Non-member rate is flat $550, regardless of registration window.
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Additional banquet tickets can be purchased separately for $65 each. For Awards Banquet attendance only.
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Exhibitor table includes: 8' x 30" table, linen/skirting, chairs, waste basket, optional electrical hookup (+$25), and staffing by one vendor representative. Exhibitor registration does not include access to conference sessions.
During registration we encourage you to Opt-In to the Joint Conference Mentorship Program during registration - more details below!
ACCOMMODATIONS: Attendees are responsible for arranging their own lodging this year, and we’ve compiled a list of highly rated local options in Seaside, Oregon to help guide your search. Seaside offers a wide range of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets—from oceanfront inns to cozy boutique hotels and family-friendly motels. We encourage you to book early, as availability may be limited during the conference dates. Here are some well-reviewed options based recent ratings from board members, Yelp, Google, and travel platforms:
- Lanai at the Cove – A tranquil oceanfront retreat with exceptional views
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Seaside – Convention Center – Centrally located with modern amenities
- The Inn at Seaside – Located adjacent to the convention center with modern rooms and great walkability
- Kathryn Riverfront Inn (Ascend Hotel Collection) – Stylish and walkable to downtown
- Hi-Tide Oceanfront Inn – Popular for its beach access and family-friendly vibe
- Seashore Inn on the Beach – Affordable beachfront lodging
- Quality Inn Seaside – A reliable budget-friendly option
- Best Western Plus – Ocean view suites & economy rooms steps from the sand
For those seeking vacation rentals or unique stays, Seaside also offers charming B&Bs and short-term rentals near the Promenade and Broadway Street.
UNDERGRADUATE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM & STUDENT LODGING: 2026 STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FULL
- Free, shared lodging during the conference with other students (we take into account any lodging needs/requests) in exchange for 4 hours of volunteering at the conference.
- This is a great chance to connect with the Oregon Chapter and expand your networks. We also invite you to get involved with our committees year-round—click for details.
To maximize access, we typically select ~20 student volunteers for the lodging benefit, prioritizing those without other means of funded housing.
Mark your calendars: Applications for the 2027 program will open next year
As a volunteer you will help the ORTWS, NW PARC & SNVB Boards ensure the conference runs smoothly. Tasks may include: help running the registration desk, computer assistance in a presentation room, or selling raffle tickets, and more.
Student Volunteer eligibility criteria
- Academic Enrollment: Applicants must be currently enrolled as undergraduate or community college students in a relevant program, such as: wildlife, forestry, fisheries, conservation biology, zoology, environmental communication, or other biological, forestry, or natural resources disciplines
- Conference Attendance: Volunteers must attend the ORTWS/NW PARC/SNVB Joint Conference. Tip: We recommend purchasing society membership and registering early to take advantage of the Early-Bird Student Member rate.
- Questions? Contact our Joint Conference Volunteer Committee lead: Shalynn Pack // osuadvisor@ortws.org
VOLUNTEER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Participation is easy! During conference registration simply “Opt In” to the Mentorship Program, either as a Mentor (for professionals) or a Mentee (for students and early-career professionals).
We encourage you to opt-in to this opportunity, which entails < 2 hours of time at the conference - everyone is welcome to participate!
- This program is simple – before the joint conference, we connect each Mentor with a Mentee, and then that pair takes the reins and starts communicating with each other, emailing or talking at least once before the joint conference. Then at the joint conference, the Mentor-Mentee pair should meet at least twice.
- Conversation topics could include questions or advice related to: current career or field of study, personal and professional interests, goals for the joint conference, career pathways, graduate study, wildlife employers and culture, to name a few.
- After the joint conference, we’d encourage you to stay in contact with your Mentor or Mentee! We hope that Mentees will contact their Mentor within a month after the joint conference to follow up.
- We hope that these conversations and connections can extend beyond the joint conference and help our Mentees establish a network in the wildlife profession. And remember, Mentees can learn a lot from their Mentors, as well!
THE ARTIST'S CORNER
Apply no later than close of business December 31, 2025
Thank you for your interest. The application period is now closed.
The Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society is excited to announce the launch of our very first Artists’ Corner at the 2026 Annual Conference in at the Seaside Convention Center in Seaside, Oregon!
We’re inviting wildlife and nature-inspired artists from across Oregon to showcase their work, connect with the conservation community, and share how art can inspire a deeper appreciation for our state’s incredible biodiversity.
The Artists’ Corner will be held in conjunction with our annual conference on February 23–25, 2026. Artists will have the opportunity to display and sell their work during conference hours on February 23rd and 25th. Click HERE for more details.
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
We are excited to continue the ORTWS photography contest tradition as part of the joint conference between the ORTWS, NW PARC and SNVB. Click HERE for details.
CATEGORIES
- Mammals
- Birds
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Other Wildlife (e.g., fishes, invertebrates)
- Plants & Fungi
- Landscape & Habitats
2026 PLENARY SPEAKERS
Nicole DeCrappeo - Retired
Regional Administrator for the NW
Climate Adaptation Science Center
Taal Levi
Professor in Fisheries, Wildlife
and Conservation Sciences at OSU
Chanel Hason
Elakha Alliance
Director of Outreach & Community Relations
Thomas Stokely
The Nature Conservancy – Oregon
2026 ORTWS CONTRIBUTED WORKSHOPS
The Japanese Art of Gyotaku Workshop
Wednesday, February 25: 9:00 - 12:00pm & 1:00 - 4:00pm
CANCELLED
Instructor: Bruce Koike (Renowned Gyotaku Artist)
Your instructor will make pre-event contact with the participants and will ask each student to Google “Erica Dodge, Gyotaku” and view the 3.5-minute animated video to provide background. The session begins with a quick discussion (each person participates) about how this art can be used as a Community Engagement activity. Your instructor then demonstrates the printing process and students begin printing. Before students make a second print, we will have a 1:1 discussion about “likes and improvements”. Students then proceed to make additional prints. Toward the latter part of the session, your instructor demonstrates painting fisheyes then students finish out the session by painting eyes on their art. Participants tend to make 5–6 prints during that time.
| Considerations | Instructor provides all the materials, including the fish |
| Registration Fee | Professionals: $115
Students $95 |
| Participant Limit | 12 registrants per session |
Eyes in the Field: Practical Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Oregon Biologists
Wednesday, February 25: 1:00 - 300pm
WORKSHOP IS FULL
Instructors: Dr. Julia Burco, ODFW Wildlife Veterinarian and epidemiologist, Emily Buck, Wildlife Health Lab Biologist and WNS Coordinator and Ashley Reeder, CWD Coordinator - ODFW
Join Dr. Julia Burco, ODFW Wildlife Veterinarian and epidemiologist, and her colleagues with the ODFW health lab, Emily Buck and Ashley Reeder for an essential hands-on workshop designed to empower wildlife biologists across Oregon to become effective disease detectives in the field. Nearly every wildlife biologist has to deal with the calls from the public reporting dead animals, or the unfortunate finding of dead critters in field, or that your study animal died. There are some helpful techniques to make sure you maximize information and collect the best samples during these events. Everything from surveying and describing the scene, to photo tips, to sampling strategies will be covered for a variety of taxa.
Dr. Burco brings extensive expertise as part disease detective, part infectious disease expert, and part field veterinarian, providing veterinary consultation to wildlife biologists statewide on wildlife disease and management challenges. Her research spans mycology, microbiology, and epidemiology of wildlife diseases, with particular focus on Oregon's most pressing wildlife health threats. Oregon faces an evolving landscape of wildlife diseases that demand vigilant monitoring. While Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has not yet been detected in Oregon, it has been confirmed in three bordering states—Idaho, California, and Washington—requiring coordinated surveillance efforts. Treponeme-Associated Hoof Disease (TAHD) has been confirmed in both western and eastern Oregon elk populations since 2014, causing severe lameness and hoof deformities. Highly pathogenic avian influenza also continues to threaten waterfowl and raptor populations. Finally, the fungus responsible for the devastating disease of white nose syndrome in bats, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, was recently detected in the northwest corner of the state resulting in increased vigilance and surveillance in our bat populations. This workshop will equip participants with practical skills in recognizing clinical signs of emerging diseases, proper sample collection protocols, when and how to contact ODFW's Wildlife Health Lab, and understanding disease ecology principles relevant to field management decisions. Participants will learn safe handling procedures and how their observations contribute to statewide disease surveillance networks. Whether you're monitoring big game, conducting waterfowl surveys, or managing carnivore populations, this training will enhance your capacity to detect, document, and respond to wildlife health threats.
| Considerations | Note pad/pen |
| Registration Fee | Professionals: $35
Students: $15 |
| Participant Limit | 40 Registrants |
Seaside Beach Clean-Up Field Trip
Wednesday, February 25: 12:30 - 3:30pm
FIELD TRIP IS FULL
Instructors: Jenniffer Bakke, ORTWS Board Member
Our beaches are more than scenic—they’re vital ecosystems. Unfortunately, pollution is threatening their health. Plastic waste, cigarette butts, and other debris harm wildlife, pollute the ocean, and diminish the natural beauty we all cherish. Every tide brings in more trash, and without action, the problem grows.
That’s where volunteers make the difference. By joining our Seaside Beach Clean-Up, you’re not just picking up litter—you’re restoring habitats, protecting marine life, and ensuring future generations can enjoy a clean, thriving coastline. Every bag of trash collected is a step toward a healthier ocean and a stronger community.
Together, we can turn the tide against pollution. Your time and effort matter. Let’s make Seaside shine again!
| Considerations | Clothing appropriate for the weather (e.g., rain jacket, boots, hat) |
| Registration Fee | No charge |
| Participant Limit | 25 registrants - Meet at north end of Seaside Prominade parking lot |
Wildlife Photography in Practice: Techniques & Perspectives
Wednesday, February 25: 12:30 - 3:30pm
WORKSHOP IS FULL
Instructors: Emily Weidner, USFWS; Mikayla Bivona, ODFW; Jon Nelson, High Desert Museum
Photography is a great tool for conservation and for connecting people with the wildlife around them. It is also a lot of fun. This workshop will explore key aspects of wildlife photography in a collaborative, discussion-based format, followed by an outdoor session (weather permitting) along the Oregon Coast. Rather than prescribing “best” methods, the workshop will focus on learning from one another, exchanging perspectives, and enjoying the process.
During the indoor portion of the workshop, instructors and participants will share experiences and ideas on ethics, essential field practices, tools of the trade, core techniques, post-processing approaches, and common mistakes/lessons learned. During the outdoor portion, the group will spend time photographing wildlife along the Oregon Coast, sharing observations and discussing strategies for anticipating animal behavior, managing distance and movement, and framing shots.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have reflected on ethical considerations, explored practical approaches and techniques for wildlife photography, shared ideas for post-processing, and connected with others who have a common interest in wildlife photography.
| Considerations | No specific type of equipment is required. However, since the last portion of the workshop will be outdoors photographing wildlife, participants are encouraged to bring their own camera setup (DSLR, mirrorless, compact etc.) along with any lenses or accessories (e.g., binoculars, tripods/monopods) they typically use in the field. If participants wish to share examples of their work or field challenges, a few sample images (digital or printed) would be helpful for discussion. Outdoor clothing and footwear are recommended for the field portion of the workshop. Field portion is contingent on weather. |
| Registration Fee | No charge |
| Participant Limit | 20 Registrants |
Introduction to GitHub for Data Organization and Sharing
Wednesday, February 25: 9:00 - 11:00am
WORKSHOP IS FULL
Instructors: Chris Cousins and Tiffany Garcia Oregon State University
Have you ever wanted to start using Github to back up your data, easily switch between campus and home workspaces while saving your progress, catch coding errors between saves, and easily share your data with your advisor, committee, collaborators, and journals? Well, that’s what we’re here for! Getting started on Github can be intimidating, but this workshop is designed to give you all you need to hit the ground running! No prior knowledge of Github is necessary, and we'll be covering setting up your own repository, cloning it on your PC, and working with others. The activities in this workshop will give you a great starting point, and in the future, you will thank yourself for your improved organization and ease of working from multiple workstations.
We’ve structured this workshop to be very hands on, and our goal is to get you comfortable with using this amazing resource and never have to search for lost files again! You’ll be using a reduced dataset from an ongoing eDNA project, and we’ll show you how you can compartmentalize your workflow to make it easily shareable with others you’re working with.
We’ve run this workshop at multiple conferences, including the 2023 Society for Conservation Biology conference and multiple Oregon State University graduate student conferences. And have streamlined it provide an excellent introduction and launching point scientists early in their careers. Undergraduates and early graduate students are especially encouraged to attend! Work will be done on participant’s laptops, and you will need your own computer to participate. All participants will also need to follow some easy instructions prior to the workshop, to make sure you’re ready to go! They can be found here: https://github.com/rhyacotritonriot/github_workshop
| Considerations | Personal laptop is all that is required |
| Registration Fee | Professionals: $25
Students: Free! |
| Participant Limit | 10 minimum, 25 maximum |
Leveraging Community Science for Wildlife Research and Education
Wednesday, February 25: 9:00 - 12:00pm
Instructors: Lorelle Sherman, OSU Extension, Eliana Pool, ORTWS Board Member, Cafferata Consulting
- Understand how to collect and contribute biodiversity data to science utilizing community science platforms
- Understand the best practices for data collection by community science platform and taxa
- Explore the data analysis capabilities of community science platforms and how they can inform your research
- Identify ways to incorporate community science into teaching, research, and outreach
*Class participants will get credits towards their TWS wildlife biologist certifications including: The Wildlife Society Certified Wildlife Biologist®(CWB®), Associate Wildlife Biologist® (AWB®), and the designation of Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist (QAWB). More info here.
| Considerations | Downloads of iNaturalist and eBird apps onto personal smartphones recommended. Weather permitting, we will walk to the beach ~11am. For those who would like to join us, please bring clothing appropriate for the Oregon Coast. |
| Registration Fee | Professionals: $20
Students: Free! |
| Participant Limit | 40 registrants |
Introduction to Wildlife Trapping
Wednesday, February 25
8:00 - 10:00am & 10:30 - 12:30pm
(AM & PM sessions are FULL)
Instructors: Dave Keiter and Jeremy Thompson, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Interested in learning about field techniques used to research mammals? We will be hosting a workshop focused on live-trapping techniques, trapping ethics, and non-invasive means to collect data. This workshop will include explanations and demonstrations of best practices for use of various sampling devices used to study mammals, followed by a question-and-answer session. Students and early career professionals are particularly encouraged to sign up, although wildlife professionals of all career stages are welcome!
| Considerations | Please bring notetaking materials, warm clothes, water |
| Registration Fee | Professionals: $20
Students: Free! |
| Participant Limit | 30 registrants per session |