Spotted, Blanding's and Wood Turtle Conservation Symposium

2019 Spotted, blanding's and Wood turtle

conservation symposium

The Spotted Turtle, Northeast Blanding's Turtle, and the Northeast Wood Turtle Working Groups are partnering to host a Spotted, Blanding's & Wood Turtle Conservation Symposium on November 4-5, 2019 at the Cacapon Resort State Park in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The symposium is supported in part by USFWS Competitive State Wildlife Grants and hosted by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, American Turtle Observatory, and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Overview

The Spotted, Blanding's, and Wood Turtle Conservation Symposium aims to convene experts across the region to network and share ongoing research and conservation efforts for the three species. Both days will focus on presentations that will stimulate conversations about long-term research, landscape-scale conservation, and ecological studies. Breakout sessions will also occur for groups to discuss current concerns and to develop a clear plan for future collaboration across the species’ ranges and necessary next steps to continue to advance their conservation.

The Symposium will be held at the Cacapon Resort State Park: 818 Cacapon Lodge Dr, Berkeley Spring, WV 25411.

Registration Instructions

When registering, please select either 1-Day Attendance ($65) or 2-Day Attendance ($105). The cost for each option covers all of your meals during your time at the symposium (breakfast and lunch on the 4th and 5th, dinner on the 4th).

Additionally, we will be holding a pizza social on Sunday evening (November 3rd) ($9). There will also be an informal field trip (weather dependent) to a local Spotted and Wood Turtle research site. If you plan to participate in either event, please indicate during registration.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

Lodging information

To reserve a room or cabin at Cacapon Resort State Park, please call the front desk at 304-258-1022 (ext. 4202 or 4200) and indicate that you are part of the "turtle symposium" group.

To reduce housing costs, consider coordinating with a roommate in advance. Space is also limited, so please book early. The resort can split the bill between roommates, but will not assign you a roommate.

RESERVATIONS ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTED.

*Specific questions regarding the symposium and registration can be directed to Jessica Meck at meckj@si.edu or 540-635-6580.

agenda

Please find the draft agenda HERE.

Symposium T-shirts for sale!!

We are offering symposium participants the opportunity to purchase a t-shirt with this year's logo designed by Matt Paterson from Stoneridge Art Studios. Shirts are $15 each and provided by Print Natural. Pre-ordered shirts will be available for pick-up and a limited number of shirts will be available for purchase.
WE ARE NO LONGER TAKING PRE-ORDERS.

Election Day

Election day on November 5th unfortunately overlaps with our symposium. We understand that symposium participants may intend to vote in this year's elections, Information regarding submitting absentee ballots or voting early can be found by visiting the U.S. government's page HERE.

2019 Spotted, blanding's and Wood turtle​​conservation symposium