A conference for friends of Minnesota's natural resources
Hosted by Extension Natural Resource volunteer programs and the Bell Museum
Join us May 17-19, 2024!
This year's conference features a collaboration with the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds. We figured that two popular events for nature people at the same time in the same place ought to work together!
Jointly offered events include:
Friday morning field trips (Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and Wannigan Park/Ike Fisher Farm)
Friday evening dinner and plenary speaker Al Batt at Fair Hills Resort
Saturday morning field trips (Rothsay Complex/Warblers & Wildflowers at Smoky Hills State Park/Lof Woods)
Saturday evening dinner and keynote speaker, Donald Kroodsma (at MState)
And we warmly invite Festival of Birds participants to join the Gathering Partners conference at any point, see special registration options on the Registration page.
There are many sessions, and our capnote speaker, Mark "Sparky" Stensaas are all about birds!
Registration is closed
A few field trips still may be able to accept last minute registrants. Please contact gatheringpartners@umn.edu for details.
Conference Overview
Thursday, May 16
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Minnesota Nature Trivia Pint Night at Bucks Mill Brewing
Friday, May 17
4:45 am - 11:30 am Field trips in cooperation with the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds
8:00 am - 4:30 pm Aquatic Invasive Species Detectors Core Course
5:00 pm Dinner at Fair Hills Resort Dining Hall
6:00 pm Plenary speaker Al Batt, Fair Hills Resort Pavilion
7:30 pm Social activities, Fair Hills Resort
Saturday, May 18
4:45 am - 11:30 am Field trips in cooperation with the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds
8:00 am (Breakfast in the Dining Hall for those lodging at Fair Hills Resort)
9:00 am Concurrent sessions, Fair Hills Resort
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Lunch, Fair Hills Resort Dining Hall
12:30 - 4:30 pm Field Trips and concurrent sessions, based at or near Fair Hills Resort
5:00 pm Dinner at MN State College, Detroit Lakes
6:00 pm Keynote speaker Donald Kroodsma, MN State College, Detroit Lakes
7:30 pm Naturalist Night: Exploradome and social activities, Fair Hills Resort Pavilion
Sunday, May 19
7:00 am Bird walk with John Loegering, Fair Hills Resort
8:00 am (Breakfast in the Dining Hall for those lodging at Fair Hills Resort)
9:00 am Capnote speaker Mark “Sparky” Stensaas, Fair Hills Resort Pavilion
10:30 am Concurrent sessions, Fair Hills Resort
12:00 pm Lunch, Fair Hills Resort Dining Hall
12:30 pm Awards Ceremony and Conference closing
Gathering Partners: A conference for friends of Minnesota's natural resources is brought to you by:
In partnership with:
Gathering Partners for general conference questions.