The Waterbird Society is composed of biologists, researchers, conservationists, students, and others interested in the behavior, ecology, and conservation of waterbirds. The organization is administered by four officers and nine council members elected from the Society’s membership, which includes people from 31 countries. The Society is a member of the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA) and a contributing member of many other scientific societies worldwide, including American Bird Conservancy and The Ornithological Council.

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Research Grant Proposal Deadline Announced

The Waterbird Society invites research proposals for the Nisbet Grant and the Kushlan Grant for 2010. The Nisbet Grant allows proposals up to $1100 this year for work on terns and/or gulls, while the Kushlan Grant will entertain proposals on wading birds for up to $6300 in 2010. One or more awards may be made for each grant.

The deadline is July 15, and details on applications is posted on the Society’s web page.

The Grants Committee is composed of Chair Michael Erwin, and new members David Shealer, Tom Custer, and John Brzorad.  The Society appreciates the excellent work by former members Don McCrimmon and Ralph Morris for their four-year term.

Call for Symposia

The 34^th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WATERBIRD SOCIETY—Call for symposia, special paper sessions and workshops. The meeting will be held in Grand Island, Nebraska from 13-16 Mar, 2011 and will be held jointly with the North American Crane Working Group.  The Platte River and nearby wetlands in mid-March provide staging habitat for nearly 10 million waterfowl and half a million Sandhill Cranes—a phenomenon of global significance.  Due to its use by large numbers of migrating shorebirds, the area also is designated a Landscape of International Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.  Members and prospective attendees are invited to participate in the development of the scientific program by submitting proposals to organize symposia, sessions and workshops.  Potential general topics include: 1) mid-continental waterbird research, conservation and management—including staging behavior/ecology, migration and geospatial population linkages, prairie wetlands, energy infrastructure and avian impacts, 2) integrative sessions that identify synergies between crane research/management and other waterbird taxonomic groups, and 3) emerging topics in waterbird science.  Proposals should include 1-2 paragraph summary including rationale, and list of proposed speakers and presentation titles, and should be sent to the Scientific Program Chair (katharinecparsons@gmail.com) by 15 July 2010.  Additional information on the meeting can be found at the websites of the Waterbird Society (http://www.waterbirds.org/annual_meeting) and North American Crane Working Group (http://www.nacwg.org/).

2010 Annual Meeting Announced

THE THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WATERBIRD SOCIETY will be held in Grand Island, Nebraska, from 13 Mar – 16 Mar 2011 (Sunday to Wednesday) and will be held jointly with the North American Crane Working Group.  This meeting will constitute the annual meeting for the 2010 calendar year, and will include presentations of research papers, symposia, workshops, social events and area field trips.  The Platte River and nearby wetlands in mid-March provide staging habitat for nearly 10 million waterfowl and half a million Sandhill Cranes—a phenomenon of global significance.  Due to its use by large numbers of migrating shorebirds, the area also is designated a Landscape of International Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.  Information about the meeting will be posted at the websites of the Waterbird Society (http://www.waterbirds.org/annual_meeting) and the North American Crane Working Group (http://www.nacwg.org/). Contacts for the meeting are: FELIPE CHAVEZ-RAMIREZ, Local Committee Chair (EM:fchavez@whoopingcrane.org) and KATHARINE PARSONS, Scientific Program Chair (EM: katharinecparsons@gmail.com).