Western Field Ornithologists Pueblo Conference

[Larry Modesitt]

Western Field Ornithologists (WFO) holds conferences throughout western North America including Hawaii, the northeastern Pacific Ocean, and Western Mexico.  WFO is partnering with Colorado Field Ornithologists (CFO) to bring this year’s conference to Colorado. It will be held at the Pueblo Convention Center August 16-20, 2017.

 

Pueblo was chosen because it is near a wide variety of habitats. Pueblo also gives attendees of the CFO convention in Steamboat Springs a chance to experience a different part of Colorado in another 2017 birding convention.

 

CFO members have been a big part of putting this conference together. University of Northern Colorado’s Lauryn Benedict, an expert on animal communication and social behavior, will give the keynote address and a workshop. Bill Kaempfer has been responsible for setting up field trips and recruiting leaders. You’ll see new presenters along with some frequent CFO contributors. In addition, you’ll see Forrest Rowland (head of Rockjumpers Birding Adventures), and authors Jon Dunn, Kimball Garrett, and Jay Withgott lead field trips.

 

WFO has set aside a block of rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott Pueblo, located at 110 West First Street, Pueblo, CO 81003. The Courtyard is connected to the Convention Center via a hallway. Unusual plus: those of us elders whose “Search for Bridey Murphy” ended with a question mark might find answers in the display at convention headquarters.

 

Make your hotel reservations at the WFO discounted group rate now with this link: https://tinyurl.com/zw83jlz or call  719-542-3200.

 

The room rate is $98.00 (plus local taxes). We have a limited number of rooms, so make your reservation soon.

 

For further information about WFO’s conference, check out http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/conference.php

 

In late March, we plan to announce and post the schedule for the conference, including field trips and workshops. Registration will open in late April.

 

WFO also is offering eight scholarships for youth aged 12 to 22. Application deadline is April 5--so don't delay! More information is available on the WFO website, or check out   http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/scholarship.php

 

We hope to see you there!

 

Larry

 

Larry Modesitt

Pueblo Conference Chair

Western Field Ornithologists