Survey Guidelines and Techniques Workshop
Henry Horton State Park - Duck River, Tennessee
August 10-13, 2020
FOR FULL PROGRAM CLICK HERE (PDF DOWNLOAD)
REGISTER
Where to sample? How to sample? How do you apply the data? What does it all mean????
These are questions everyone who samples freshwater mussels has had to answer. The FMCS 2020 Guidelines and Techniques Workshop has been designed to provide you with the answers. Whether you are a beginning biologist or an experienced malacologist, we all need to collect mollusks, and interpret and apply the data.
This Workshop will include two levels of content: for introductory/intermediate field workers, and for those with more experience, but there will be overlap depending on participant’s interest. The content for the introductory and intermediate group will cover equipment and design for sampling mussels, including
sample size and the amount of effort to ‘adequately’ sample a site or a species. Field instruction for this group will include techniques such as qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative sampling, habitat measurements, protocol implementation, data collection and analysis, as well as quality assurance/quality control.
The content for the more experienced group will cover information on data applications, including density and abundance, mark-recapture, population estimates, as well as estimates of survival and mortality, and mussel mortality evaluation. Field techniques for this group will include non-traditional sampling, such as, marking and tagging mussels, collection and processing for genetic analysis and eDNA, and mortality events and valuation.
The Workshop will include both lecture and field-based sessions, a poster session, evening mixers, and an optional field trip. An introductory session, providing an overview of sampling protocols, will be presented by Dave Smith (U.S. Geological Survey). Other presenters include: Janet Clayton (West Virginia Department of Natural Resources), Heidi Dunn (EcoAnalysts, Inc.), Matt Ashton (Maryland Department of Natural Resources), and Megan Bradley (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and others.
Meeting Registration
Formal registration is now available on the FMCS 2020 workshop Registration page - CLICK HERE -
Early registration begins on March 9 2020, and will close on June 15, 2020. Late registration begins on June 16 and will end on August 10. Registration costs are:
TYPE OF REGISTRATION |
EARLY REGISTRATION |
LATE REGISTRATION |
Regular FMCS member |
$200 |
$225 |
| Regular non-member Non-member rates include a 1 yr FMCS membership |
$280 |
$305 |
Student/Retiree FMCS member |
$150 |
$175 |
| Student/Retiree non-member Non-member rates include a 1 yr FMCS membership |
$190 |
$215 |
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Location & Lodging
This Workshop will be held at Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, south of Nashville. This State Park is located along the banks of the Duck River, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. The Park has self-contained
accommodations, meals will be catered by the Park’s Governor's Table Restaurant, and the Tipped Canoe Lounge is on site.
Lodging also will be at Henry Horton State Park. All of the available rooms have been reserved at the Lodge in the Park, and eight cabins in the Park are also available. Reservations can be made online at: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/henry-horton
Please make every effort to book rooms with co-workers and friends, as space is limited. When booking, ask for the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Rate and provide our Group Number: 4219.
Reservations must be made by July 10.
Room Rates:
• Two Double Beds Room in the Lodge: $68.40/night plus taxes
• Two Double Beds Room in Motel: $72.90/night plus taxes
• King Room: $72.90/night plus taxes • Suite Room (pullout sofa and small kitchen): $86.40/night plus taxes
• Cabins (fully equipped 2-3 bedrooms): $105-$150/night plus taxes
Campsites for both recreational vehicles and tents are available. Camping rates vary between $11-$35/night, not including taxes and fees. Campsite reservations can be made by visiting: https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/henry-horton/campsites.
What to bring:
Middle Tennessee can be relatively warm and humid in mid-August, with average high temperatures around 90°F (32°C) and lows around 68°F (20°C). Water temperature in the Duck River typically is in the mid-70s F (low-20s C) in mid-August. This is a hands-on Workshop, so come prepared to get in the water and get dirty. Bring a mask and snorkel, for sure, and a wetsuit if you want one. Otherwise, bring clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Feel free to bring any other field gear you typically use in the water. Don’t forget your sunscreen and your camera. Casual clothes will be appropriate at all other times.
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Transportation
Henry Horton State Park is located in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, approximately 50 miles (1 hour) south of Nashville, Tennessee. Driving distance from Chattanooga is about 115 miles (2 hours), and from Memphis, about 220 miles (3.5 hours). Nashville International Airport is the closest airport; it has a variety of car rental vendors.
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Call for Abstracts
Coming soon
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Meeting Theme and Schedule Overview
August 10 - Monday: Arrival, Registration, Evening Mixer
August 11 - Tuesday: Breakfast, Workshop overview, Lunch, Lecture and Field Sessions, Poster Session and Mixer (food provided)
August 12 - Wednesday: Breakfast, Lecture and Field Sessions, Lunch, Lecture and Field Sessions, Dinner, “Town Hall” Discussion
August 13 - Thursday : Field Trip, Departure
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Sponsorship
The FMCS is a not-for profit society, dedicated to the advocacy and conservation science of freshwater mollusk resources. Our Workshops provide great opportunities to network and build relationships with conservation professionals from state and federal governments, industry, universities, and conservation organizations. The Society has a membership of over 500, of which about 150 generally attend the biennial Workshops. Instructors for the workshops are members of the Society and other leaders in Conservation. These professionals are constantly working to conserve freshwater mollusks and we need your help. We are requesting monetary sponsorships to help cover the costs of the Workshop facilities. Different levels of sponsorship receive different levels of recognition as described in the following table.
To become a Sponsor click here
| River | >$2000 | One Complimentary Registration, Logo Displayed at the Welcome Social, Logo on Website Registration Page, Recognition in the Workshop Program. |
| Stream | $1000 - $2000 | One Registration Reduced by 25%, Logo Displayed at the Welcome Social, Logo on Website Registration Page, Recognition in the Workshop Program. |
| Eddy | $500 - $999 | Logo on Website Registration Page, Recognition in the Workshop Program. |
| Mussel | $100 - $499 | Recognition in the Workshop Program. |
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Contact
For more Information:
For further information about the Workshop and inquiries about sponsorship, please contact one of the Workshop co-chairs: Ryan Schwegman, rschwegman@enviroscienceinc.com or
Lisie Kitchel, lisie.kitchel@wisconsin.gov