Hope you can join us!
DECEMBER 9-13, 2024 | AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
10/7/2024: Important Message from SEAFWA
Following thoughtful discussion and evaluation, SEAFWA has decided to postpone the 78th Annual Conference. Please mark your calendars and save these dates: Monday, December 9 through Friday, December 13.
This decision was made given the widespread and devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on state agencies, businesses and the general public. Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all meeting participants and allow adequate time for recovery efforts.
Over the coming weeks, the team at SEAFWA and Delaney Event Management will provide updates on the planning and will reach out to registered attendees, speakers and sponsors/exhibitors regarding the change of dates.
IMPORTANT DETAILS:
- The dates of the conference will be Monday, December 9 through Friday December 13, 2024. All social events, committee meetings, and program activities will shift accordingly. (Saturday will become Monday, Sunday will become Tuesday, etc.).
- Schedule: Details will follow later this week, but the general schedule will be as follows:
- Monday, December 9 (original date was Saturday 10/12): Arrivals, registration opens, C.A.R.E.S meeting
- Tuesday, December 10 (original date was Sunday 10/13) : Exhibitor set up, SEAFWA Committee Meetings, Welcome Reception
- Wednesday, December 11 (original date was Monday 10/14): Technical sessions, symposia, plenary and awards and poster social
- Thursday, December 12: Technical Sessions and symposia, Director’s meetings, Women in Wildlife Conservation Social
- Friday, December 13: Director’s meetings continue, technical talks and symposia. The conference will end at noon.
- Registered Attendees: If you already registered to attend, we will automatically transfer your registration for the new dates. If you are unable to attend, please contact Delaney Event Management (802-865-5202 or info@delaneymeetingevent.com) for a full refund until October 21. After October 21 and until December 2, refunds will be issued less a $50 admin fee. After December 2, no refunds will be issued, but substitutions are allowed.
- Lodging: If you have a reservation at the Augusta Marriott, The Holiday Inn Express, the Hyatt House, or the Crowne Plaza, your reservation will automatically be transferred to the new dates and you should get an email in the next few days confirming that. If you cannot attend on the new dates, you are responsible for calling to change or cancel your hotel reservation.
- Flights: When you call to change your flight dates, mention that the change is due to impacts of Hurricane Helene and hopefully they will waive any change fees or differences in fare. We recommend calling if you can’t make this work on line.
- Presenters: The concurrent technical program and organized symposia will shift to the new dates, keeping roughly the same pattern. We will be reaching out separately to all presenters to confirm participation in these new dates.
- Sponsors/Exhibitors: We will reach out to you separately to confirm participation in these new dates.
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UPDATE AS OF 10/7/2024: Following thoughtful discussion and evaluation, SEAFWA has decided to postpone the 78th Annual Conference. Please mark your calendars and save these dates: Monday, December 9 through Friday, December 13.
This decision was made given the widespread and devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on state agencies, businesses and the general public. Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all meeting participants and allow adequate time for recovery efforts.
Over the coming weeks, the team at SEAFWA and Delaney Event Management will provide updates on the planning and will reach out to registered attendees, speakers and sponsors/exhibitors regarding the change of dates.
IMPORTANT DETAILS:
- The dates of the conference will be Monday, December 9 through Friday December 13, 2024. All social events, committee meetings, and program activities will shift accordingly. (Saturday will become Monday, Sunday will become Tuesday, etc.).
- Schedule: Details will follow later this week, but the general schedule will be as follows:
- Monday, December 9 (original date was Saturday 10/12): Arrivals, registration opens, C.A.R.E.S meeting
- Tuesday, December 10 (original date was Sunday 10/13) : Exhibitor set up, SEAFWA Committee Meetings, Welcome Reception
- Wednesday, December 11 (original date was Monday 10/14): Technical sessions, symposia, plenary and awards and poster social
- Thursday, December 12: Technical Sessions and symposia, Director’s meetings, Women in Wildlife Conservation Social
- Friday, December 13: Director’s meetings continue, technical talks and symposia. The conference will end at noon.
- Registered Attendees: If you already registered to attend, we will automatically transfer your registration for the new dates. If you are unable to attend, please contact Delaney Event Management (802-865-5202 or info@delaneymeetingevent.com) for a full refund until October 21. After October 21 and until December 2, refunds will be issued less a $50 admin fee. After December 2, no refunds will be issued, but substitutions are allowed.
- Lodging: If you have a reservation at the Augusta Marriott, The Holiday Inn Express, the Hyatt House, or the Crowne Plaza, your reservation will automatically be transferred to the new dates and you should get an email in the next few days confirming that. If you cannot attend on the new dates, you are responsible for calling to change or cancel your hotel reservation.
- Flights: When you call to change your flight dates, mention that the change is due to impacts of Hurricane Helene and hopefully they will waive any change fees or differences in fare. We recommend calling if you can’t make this work on line.
- Presenters: The concurrent technical program and organized symposia will shift to the new dates, keeping roughly the same pattern. We will be reaching out separately to all presenters to confirm participation in these new dates.
- Sponsors/Exhibitors: We will reach out to you separately to confirm participation in these new dates.
Sign up by 9/1 to save.
Register to Attend
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING REGISTRATION & THE CONFERENCE POSTPONEMENT:
If you already registered to attend, we will automatically transfer your registration for the new dates (Monday, December 9 through Friday, December 13). If you are unable to attend, please contact Delaney Event Management (802-865-5202 or info@delaneymeetingevent.com) for a full refund until October 21. After October 21 and until December 2, refunds will be issued less a $50 admin fee. After December 2, no refunds will be issued, but substitutions are allowed.
Registration for the 78th Annual Conference is open! Sign up early to save.
Pricing and Options
Registration pricing and options are provided below.
Registration Option | Rate Available Through 9/1 | Rate Available After 9/1 |
Professional Full Conference Registration | $400 | $450 |
One Day Conference Registration | $225 | $275 |
Student Full Conference Registration | $175 | $225 |
Guest/Additional Ticket to Welcome Social on Sunday | $60 | $60 |
Guest/Additional Ticket to Awards Banquet on Tuesday | $75 | $75 |
What's Included
- The Full Conference Registration and Student Registration fee includes the following meals and social events: Welcome Reception on Sunday evening; Student/Professional Lunch on Monday (RSVP required); Tradeshow & Poster Social on Monday evening; Continental Breakfast Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, coffee breaks daily, and the Awards Banquet on Tuesday evening.
- The One-Day Registration fee includes meals and social events on the day they are attending.
Cancellation Policy
UPDATED FOR POSTPONEMENT: If you are unable to attend the conference at the new dates (Monday, December 9 - Friday, December 13), please contact Delaney Event Management (802-865-5202 or info@delaneymeetingevent.com) for a full refund until October 21. After October 21 and until December 2, refunds will be issued less a $50 admin fee. After December 2, no refunds will be issued, but substitutions are allowed.
Questions?
Any questions or comments regarding registration or the conference, please call the conference office at 802-865-5202 or via email at info@delaneymeetingevent.com.
Location & Lodging Information
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING LODGING & THE CONFERENCE POSTPONEMENT:
If you have a reservation at the Augusta Marriott, The Holiday Inn Express, the Hyatt House, or the Crowne Plaza, your reservation will automatically be transferred to the new dates and you should get an email in the next few days confirming that. If you cannot attend on the new dates, you are responsible for calling to change or cancel your hotel reservation.
Host Hotel
We are pleased to announce that the 78th Annual Conference will be held at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center. Overnight accommodations are available for a discounted rate of $175/night plus 14% tax plus $5.00 City Tourism Fee until the cutoff date of 11/11/2024, or until the block is full (whichever occurs first). Book online in the group block at the August Marriott.
A limited number of rooms are available at the Marriott at the government per diem rate for eligible federal employees who provide a valid government ID upon check-in. Make a reservation in the government per diem block.
Overflow Hotels Available
The Marriott Augusta has limited availability. We have additional rooms blocked at the following properties:
- Holiday Inn Express, located at 44 Broad St. in Augusta approximately 6 blocks from the Marriott.
- METHOD OF RESERVATIONS: Book online in the group block. The reservation cutoff date is 11/25/2024.
- Hyatt House Augusta, located at 1268 Broad St approximately 5 blocks from the Marriott.
- METHOD OF RESERVATIONS: Book online using this link. Press "Book." Enter your dates of arrival and departure. Under "Special Rates," select "Corporate or Group Code". Enter G-SFW1, which is your group booking code. Click Book Now. OR, call reservations at 1-866-974-9288 and ask to make a reservation for the SEAFWA conference. The reservation cutoff date is 11/30/24.
- The Crown Plaza North Augusta, located at 1060 Center St. North Augusta, South Carolina, approximately 1.5 miles from the host hotel (across the river into South Carolina).
- METHOD OF RESERVATIONS: Please check back!
SEAFWA Conference room blocks have not been established at the following properties but attendees may contact these hotels directly to inquire about rates and availability. Please note: They are all about a 15-20 minute drive from downtown and are near the Augusta Exchange (shopping/restaurant center).
Area Information
Augusta, Georgia has a lot to offer! While you're in town, be sure to check out the 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge, Augusta Riverwalk, Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, breweries, southern cuisine, and more! Start planning your trip.
Schedule
UPDATE AS OF 11/19/2024: Following thoughtful discussion and evaluation, SEAFWA has decided to postpone the 78th Annual Conference. Please mark your calendars and save these dates: Monday, December 9 through Friday, December 13.
All social events, committee meetings, and program activities will shift accordingly. (Saturday will become Monday, Sunday will become Tuesday, etc.).
The schedule of events below is subject to change. Please check back for updates.
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Special Symposia Overviews
Here are the 7 special symposia that will be included in the concurrent technical program. Each symposia will comprise a number of integrated presentations that address aspects of a single topic or theme. Read their overviews and learn more here.
S-01. Revitalizing Conservation: R3 Strategies for the Southeast
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 | 1:20PM - 5:00PM
Contact: Audrey Hawk, Education & Outreach Coordinator GA/FL, R3 Coordinator GA/FL, Quail Forever, ahawk@quailforever.org
Co-Organizers: Breanna Bashford- Georgia Wildlife Federation, R3 Coordinator
Overview: This symposium will discuss the crucial aspects of the Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) initiative in the Southeastern United States. While participation in shooting sports and angling is steadily increasing, hunting is still facing declining rates of involvement. Session will explore innovative strategies to diversify and broaden participation. We will consider methods of scaling our efforts of connecting participants with these essential activities. Additionally, this symposium aims to provide case studies on innovative efforts to build community; employ marketing techniques; and expand access to essential equipment, resources, and education. By sharing our learned experiences, we strive to secure the future of conservation.
S-02. SECAS Symposium: Building the Southeast Landscape of the Future Together
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 | 1:20PM - 5:00PM
Contact: Amanda Sesser, Fish and Wildlife Administrator, USFWS, amanda_sesser@fws.gov
Co-Organizers: Amanda Sesser, SECAS Coordinator and US Fish and Wildlife Service, New Orleans, LA; Daniel McInnis, US Forest Service, Atlanta, GA; Mallory Martin, Conservation Consultant, Linville, NC; Todd Jones-Farrand, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia, MO; Deborah McGlothlin, US Forest Service, Flagstaff, AZ; Stephanie Laseter, US Forest Service, Asheville, NC; Shannon Westlake, US Forest Service, Lexington, KY; Katherine Smith, USGS Climate Adaptation Science Center, Asheville, NC
Overview: The Southeast Landscape of the Future Summit was held February 27-29, 2024, under the theme of “Building the Southeast Landscape of the Future.” The Summit was an opportunity for state, federal, Tribal, and other leaders in natural resource conservation to come together to define a shared vision for the Southeast landscape of the future. The Summit was designed to deepen relationships with new and existing peer leadership communities, gain perspectives on critical conservation issues facing the Southeast, and discover where participant priorities intersect across boundaries. Understanding that today’s actions will contribute to the landscape one hundred years from now, attendees were asked to contemplate a strategic approach emphasizing broader and deeper collaboration to achieve the desired future. Concluding discussions focused on immediate and long-term actions needed to continue the collaboration and shape the future landscape.
The SECAS Symposium will build on the recommendations from the Summit: collaboration is essential, action over planning, commitment to adaptability, and the importance of a backbone organization, and equity and inclusion matter. The following activities will take place during the half-day symposium:
- Kickoff presentation of SECAS 2024 accomplishments, Summit overview
- Panel discussion comprised of SEAFWA Directors, State Foresters, Tribes, and federal agencies will discuss their recommendations for moving forward together.
- AFWA Joint Task Force on Landscape Conservation will follow with their recommendations.
- Presentation with the results from both the SECAS and Keeping Forests Social Network Analyses will be shared along with recommendations on how to build stronger networks.
- Symposium participants in the symposium will break out to discuss the increased need for collaboration and communication across jurisdictions to address complex conservation challenges effectively. Participants will discuss how to build the necessary networks and engage with Indigenous Communities and how to apply adaptive management and continuous learning to navigate uncertainty and evolving landscapes at various scales.
S-03. Managing and Restoring Coastal Wetlands for Fish and Wildlife in the Southeastern United States
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 | 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Contact: John Andrew Nyman, Professor, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, jnyman@lsu.edu
Co-Organizers: Jim Anderson, Clemson University, Georgetown, South Carolina; Jena Moon, USFWS, Winnie, Texas; Mark Woodrey, Mississippi State University, Biloxi, Mississippi
Overview: Our symposium addresses topics that range across scales from seasonal management of individual impoundments to decadal planning for state-wide land acquisition. Presentations address a variety of habitat management techniques such as water management, prescribed fire, marsh creation, living shorelines, control of invasive species, oyster reef restoration, etc. Presentations also include the natural history information of focal wildlife and fish species that managers use when managing communities ranging from temperate tidal freshwater swamps to tropical mangroves.
We believe that SEAFWA is an ideal venue for this symposium because, excluding Alaska, the 15 states and two territories that make up SEAFWA contain ~ 83% of U.S. coastal wetlands. Furthermore, wildlife biologists began determining which plant species provided food and cover for ducks and geese and then how to manage coastal wetlands to promote those plants over 100 years ago. Within decades, that knowledge was the basis for managing water levels, water salinity, fire, and land acquisition on the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. By the end of the 1900s, that knowledge was also being used to improve habitat for wading birds, shore birds and other species, and in efforts to combat coastal wetland loss. Today, wildlife biologists are facing new challenges as they begin to determine which plant species are best at offsetting subsidence and sea level rise, and how to manage coastal wetlands to improve elevation while also improving wildlife habitat with dredged material.
S-04. Conservation of Aquatic Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the Southeastern U.S.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 | 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Contact: Brett Albanese, Assistant Chief, Wildlife Conservation, Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, brett.albanese@dnr.ga.gov
Co-Organizers: Peter Hazelton, Ph.D, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia; Paula Marcinek, Director of Freshwater, The Nature Conservancy, Georgia; Shawna Fix, Aquatic Connectivity Teams Facilitator, Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP), shawna@southeastaquatics.net; Scott Robinson, Georgia DNR
Overview: The southeastern United States is a globally significant hotspot for aquatic biodiversity and imperilment. Since the early 2000s, development and implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs) has provided an opportunity to broaden conservation efforts from a small number of federally listed species to literally hundreds of fishes, mussels, crayfishes, and aquatic insects identified in individual SWAPs as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Recognition as SGCN enables use of State Wildlife Grant funding to meet conservation and research needs for these species and also raises their profile for competitive grants and unique partnerships. The purpose of this symposium is to share results from conservation and research projects that have addressed southeastern aquatic SGCN. Presentations focusing on surveys, monitoring, habitat management, aquatic connectivity projects, species introductions, conservation partnerships and the SWAP revision process are all appropriate for the symposium.
S-05. Understanding Current Threats to Wildlife Health in the Southeast United States
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 | 8:00AM - 12:00PM
Contact: Ellen Haynes, SEAFWA Regional Wildlife Health Coordinator, UGA-SCWDS, ellen.haynes@uga.edu
Co-Organizers: Mark Ruder, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia
Overview: Wildlife health is a critical component of One Health, which includes human health, animal health, and environmental health. Wildlife health can be measured in multiple ways, including population resilience to challenges and the presence or absence of various pathogens and diseases. There are numerous threats to wildlife health in the Southeast United States that have varying impacts on wildlife populations. These include diseases caused by viruses (e.g., highly pathogenic avian influenza, canine distemper virus, turtle fraservirus), bacteria, fungi (e.g., ophidiomycosis/snake fungal disease, white-nose syndrome), parasites (e.g., mange), and toxicants (e.g., anticoagulant rodenticides). Further, such diseases impact species of greatest conservation need, which are already impacted by factors such as climate change, habitat destruction/fragmentation, and invasive species. This symposium will address the concept of wildlife health and include talks that describe the nature and scope of current threats to wildlife health with the goal of giving wildlife biologists and managers a better understanding of these threats and their potential impacts on wildlife populations.
S-06. Adapting to Climate Change: What’s Been Tried and What Works for Wildlife Management
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 | 8:00AM - 12:00PM
Contact: Hailey Shanovich, Postdoctoral Fellow, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, hshanovich@usgs.gov
Co-Organizers: Dolly Ya-Nemeh, South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center; Paul Armsworth, University of Tennessee - Knoxville; Codie Winn, South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center; Katherine Smith, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
Overview: State agencies account and plan for potential climate impacts on species and ecosystems in their State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP) revisions and other wildlife management planning in different ways. The next step after planning is moving to action. Considering potential climate change impacts can bring new management questions. It is one thing to say that a species or ecosystem may be impacted by climate change and quite another for a manager to know how that information should change or inform management actions. Our goals for this symposium are to provide examples of what works for climate adaptation and discuss approaches and frameworks. We will highlight real-life examples of adaptation actions by SEAFWA members and demonstrate how adaptation actions can be evaluated for effectiveness. We will have tangible outcomes for participants in the form of real-world examples to takeaway, facilitated discussions, and opportunities for further training and community as they navigate climate adaptation actions for their own agencies.
S-07. Emerging Issues and Novel Approaches in American Alligator Management and Research
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 | 8:00AM - 12:00PM
Contact: Jon Warner, Alligator Program Leader, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, jonathan.warner@tpwd.texas.gov
Co-Organizers: Thomas Rainwater, PhD (Clemson University); Benjamin Parrott, PhD (University of Georgia)
Overview: This symposium would focus broadly on American alligator management and research across range states, highlighting emerging research trends and addressing commonalities and differences in how state wildlife agencies manage alligators for hunting, nuisance control, and commercial egg ranching and farming. Multiple universities and research programs in the southeastern U.S. are currently focused on novel and important research questions relevant to alligator conservation and management; this symposium would ideally bring various research and management stakeholders together for a day of sharing information and collaboration. With recent formal sanctioning of the SEAFWA Alligator Working Group, most state alligator program leaders will be at the conference in October for the annual AWG meeting, but a dedicated alligator symposium would be beneficial for all attendees involved with alligator work, and hopefully attractive especially to researchers that may not normally consider attending a SEAFWA conference.
Call for PRogram content
Related Meeting Requests - OPEN!
Related meeting requests are now being accepted for committees and working groups, universities, organizations, agencies, and others interested in holding a meeting or social function in association with the 78th Annual SEAFWA Conference. Deadline to submit: September 6, 2024.
About the Scientific Program
The scientific program will consist of three types of sessions:
- Organized Symposia – A series of integrated presentations that address aspects of a single topic or theme.
- Contributed Oral Presentations – Individual oral presentations that are grouped into thematic sessions based on selected disciplines: Fisheries; Wildlife; Law Enforcement; Legal; and Marketing/R3/Communications.
- Poster Presentations – 4’x4’ printed poster showcased as part of the Poster Session on Monday.
Call for Presentation Abstracts - CLOSED!
The Call for Presentation Abstracts for oral (general sessions and symposia) and poster presentations is now closed. Notifications of acceptance will be sent in early August and the schedule will be posted online at that time. Please note that if accepted, all presenters, whether presenting in the general oral or poster session, are required to register and pay the applicable fees.
Call for Symposia - CLOSED!
Symposia will be included as part of the technical program and will run concurrently with other technical sessions. All technical presentations within a special symposium, including those that have been invited, need to submit abstracts through the online call for papers portal (opening mid-May).
Responsibilities of Symposia Organizers
Organizers are responsible for coordinating with the Program Committee, planning their sessions, selecting instructors/presenters, moderating their sessions, and meeting all deadlines. SEAFWA does not pay registration fees, travel expenses, or honoraria for symposium organizers or presenters. All organizers and invited speakers are required to register for the conference and pay applicable fees.
Important Dates
- Call for Symposia: Open March 14 to April 29
- Call for Abstracts for oral presentations and posters: Opens May 13
- Deadline to submit all abstracts (individual speakers within a symposium, general oral, and posters): July 12
- Please submit an abstract only if you plan to attend the meeting. All presenters, whether presenting in a symposium, oral, or poster session, are required to register and pay the applicable fees.
- Accepting related meeting requests: June 3 to September 6
Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities
Following thoughtful discussion and evaluation, SEAFWA has decided to postpone the 78th Annual Conference. Please mark your calendars and save these dates: Monday, December 9 through Friday, December 13. If you have already registered to sponsor the Conference, we will reach out to you individually to confirm participation in these new dates.
On behalf of the Southeastern Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA), we invite you to participate as a sponsor or exhibitor! The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held December 9 - 13, 2024 (NEW DATES!) at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center in Augusta, Georgia. We hope you will be able to join us!
Download the Sponsor Registration Brochure
Register Online to Participate
About the Conference
The Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is a forum for the exchange of ideas and critical information regarding the management and protection of fish and wildlife resources primarily in the southeast. The conference attracts over 500 representatives from state and federal agencies, citizen’s organizations, universities, and private wildlife research groups, fisheries and wildlife scientists, agency enforcement personnel, and other natural resource-related organizations.
Questions About Exhibiting or Sponsoring?
If you've already registered, thanks for signing up! Check out the Sponsor & Exhibitor Guide for answers to our frequently asked questions.
If you still have questions, please contact Karen Forbes at (802) 865-5202 or karen@delaneymeetingevent.com.