Symposiums
BMOC (Bird Mortality On Campus): Scope and solutions
Wednesday, June 21
Organizer: David Aborn
Contributions of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary to long-term ornithological research
Thursday, June 22
Organizers: Laurie Goodrich and Robert Curry
Communicating ornithology through film, books, and art
Thursday, June 22
Organizer: Auriel Fournier
Descriptions and specific time slots for symposiums will be posted as soon as they are available.
Workshops
Geospatial Mapping in R
Dylan Titmuss (dylan.titmuss@whoi.edu), Nick Russo (nickrusso@ucla.edu), Jonah Dominguez (disconsolatedragon@gmail.com)
Tuesday June 20, 1–4pm EDT (in-person and virtual participation possible)
No cost; sign-up required at registration
With the development of various packages for handling and analyzing spatial data, R now represents a powerful tool for visualizing GIS (Geographic Information System) data. Notably, the integration of these packages into existing R modalities allows for a great degree of flexibility in map design and customization using consistent and intuitive syntax. In this workshop, we will introduce the basics of spatial visualization in R, from importing and preparing data to fine-tuning spatial figures. The workshop will cover various common map-making applications, including overlaying data on a background map (e.g., adding GPS points to a satellite image) and coloring regions or points to provide analytical insight (e.g., shading by population density). While sample data will be shared for everyone to use, we encourage participants to bring their own geospatial datasets, if relevant, and will be glad to provide support in applying the principles of the workshop to individuals’ specific mapping tasks. Participants will need a copy of R, which can be downloaded from http://cran.r-project.org/, and we also suggest using an R editor such as RStudio, which can be downloaded from http://www.rstudio.com. Familiarity with ggplot2 and/or general tidyverse syntax would be great, but is not required.
Slow Birding as a Path to an Inclusive Birding Community
Bridget Butler (aka The Bird Diva, birddiva@gmail.com), Liza Morse (liza.morse@uvm.edu), Maddie Sutton (madisonosutton@gmail.com), Nicholas Russo (njrusso202@gmail.com)
Friday, June 23, 9am–12pm EDT
Pay as you are able ($10 or free); sign-up required at registration
What would a more inclusive birding community look and feel like? Join slow birder Bridget Butler, aka The Bird Diva, for a workshop to explore opportunities to create a more inclusive birding community and birding experiences. Over the past few years, the birding community has begun to recognize that we too have much work to do when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many of us are realizing that there are a variety of barriers that need to come down in order to grow into a community that cares about both birds and people. During this workshop, Bridget will share her experience with slow birding as a way to shed some of the entrenched birding stereotypes and create a space where everyone is a birder regardless of knowledge, experience, or motivation. We’ll look at how we can shift and open our birding intention in order to be more welcoming and lay a broad foundation for belonging. This workshop will be partly indoors as we engage in a discussion of belonging and inclusion through the lens of slow birding and then move outside to practice slow birding strategies for observing birds in community with each other.
Special Events
Meet the Editor of The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Wednesday, June 21, 5–6pm EDT
No cost; no registration required
Come meet WJO Editor Ernesto Ruelas Inzunza and learn about the WJO. This event will start with a short presentation on how the WJO operates and will have plenty of time for questions about the future of the WJO, and specific questions from folks considering submitting to the WJO in the future.
LGBTQIA+ and Allies Breakfast Social
Thursday, June 22, 7:30–9am EDT
No cost; sign-up required at registration
This social event is an opportunity to converse with colleagues who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, or otherwise queer, as well as allies to this community, to discuss LGBTQIA+ experiences and representation in ornithology and beyond. We will promote a welcoming atmosphere at this event and provide opportunities for folks to meet other members of the queer community and those who support the community. We will create opportunities to promote discussion in a safe atmosphere with small breakout groups and conversation topic suggestions. Breakfast will be provided for all registrants (more details to come). This event will be private. All contact information gathered when signing up will be kept confidential and not retained after the event. All attendees are expected to maintain the privacy of participants both during and after the event. For questions please contact Kristen Covino, kristen.covino@lmu.edu.
Student-Mentor Lunch
Thursday, June 22, 12–1pm EDT
No cost; sign-up required at registration
Are you a little nervous about attending WOS 2023? Are you a student interested in meeting more professionals in your field? Would you like the chance to meet and talk individually with one of the professional attendees to learn about their professional journey? If so, sign up for the Student-Mentor Lunch! We will pair interested students with professionals of similar interests to give you the opportunity to interact personally with each other. Students at all levels are encouraged to participate. Professionals will represent management agencies, academic institutions, and non-government organizations in multiple specialties. This is a unique opportunity to get to know a professional from outside your normal group of colleagues. Students and professional mentors will be paired up before the meeting and will meet during the lunch hour on Thursday to enjoy a meal together and learn from each other. For questions please contact Auriel Fournier, auriel@illinois.edu.
Wilson Ornithological Society 2023 Meeting 