Partners in Flight invites you to a joint meeting of its
Eastern Working Group and
International Science Committee
July 9 – 11, 2024
Morton Arboretum
Lisle, IL
(Optional morning field trip – July 12)
Meeting Purpose
Anyone interested in the Partners in Flight mission of “keeping common birds common and helping species at risk through voluntary partnerships” is welcome to attend. This will be a working meeting with the bulk of time devoted to advancing the ongoing work of Eastern Working Group focal teams and subcommittees of the Science Committee. This meeting will be an excellent opportunity for the Eastern Working Group and Science Committee to inform each other of the work they are doing and explore opportunities for greater collaboration on topics of common interest. There will also be time to learn about the work of local bird conservation organizations in the Chicago area and discuss how local conservation action links with broader scale Partners in Flight efforts. In addition, we will discuss ways to engage younger professionals in Partners in Flight activities and make PIF a welcoming community for today’s bird conservationists. Supporting species working groups and following up on the Road to Recovery workshop that occurred in January 2024 will also be discussed.
Meeting Agenda
An updated DRAFT meeting agenda is available here. Some of the topics have shifted days or times from the original draft agenda.
Pre-Meeting Survey
If your work and interests involve collection, management, analysis, or sharing of avian data, please participate in this short survey to help inform the meeting session about these topics.
Registration
Please visit the meeting registration page, hosted by the American Bird Conservancy, to register and pay the registration fee ($85). Registration for both in-person attendance and virtual participation is available at this time. Check the appropriate box at the bottom of the registration form to indicate how you will be participating. Links for virtual participation will be emailed to registrants in early July – not as part of confirmation/receipt for virtual registration.
Registration deadline is July 5th.
Meeting Location
The meeting will be held in the Thornhill Education Center event space at the Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532). There will be time to explore the arboretum during breaks and lunch times. The entrance fee for the arboretum will be waived for meeting participants.
Lodging
No room blocks have been set up, but lodging suggestions include these two hotels near each other and the arboretum:
DoubleTree Hilton Lisle/Naperville
3003 Corporate West Drive
Lisle, Illinois 60532
630-505-0900 | hilton.com (DoubleTree-Lisle/Naperville)
Sheraton Lisle
3000 Warrenville Road,
Lisle, Illinois 60532
630-505-1000 | sheratonlisle.com
Numerous other lodging options are in close proximity to the arboretum, but the two above are recommended as first options. Note that the area around the arboretum is a very suburban setting that is not pedestrian friendly. A vehicle is recommended for getting from the hotels to the arboretum, even though they are close to each other.
Lunches
Lunches will be on your own. Numerous food options are available in close proximity to the arboretum to go out and get a quick lunch, but you are also welcome to bring your own lunch with you.
Refreshments and light snacks will be available during the meeting.
Travel Coordination/Ride Sharing
If you are looking to share a ride or a room with someone, add your information about your travel needs or ability to assist others to this Google sheet.
Optional Morning Field Trip on July 12
Tour the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie with the park’s wildlife biologist and other staff. About a 50-minute drive south of the Morton Arboretum. Return by lunch time.
For more information about the field trip, contact John Curnutt <john.curnutt@usda.gov>.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEETING? Contact Randy Dettmers <randy_dettmers@fws.gov>