GENERAL INFO | REGISTRATION | LODGING & TRANSPORTATION | GENERAL SCHEDULE | ABSTRACTS | TRIPS| SPONSORS | DEI | STUDENT PLANNING | AWARDS |CONTACT | SOCIAL MEDIA |

2025 14th FMCS BIENNIAL SYMPOSIUM
Bridges to the Future of Freshwater Mollusk Conservation
------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday-Friday May 12 to 16, 2025
Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA

General Information

The Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS) is a not-for-profit, dedicated to the advocacy and conservation science of freshwater mollusk resources. The FMCS symposium provides a great opportunity to network and build relationships with conservation professionals from state and federal government, industry, and conservation organizations. The Society has a membership of 500, and around 300 members generally attend the biennial symposia. These professionals are constantly working to conserve freshwater mollusks.

We are looking forward to hosting the FMCS membership at the 14th Biennial Symposium and welcoming you to the Great Lakes watershed, southeast Michigan, the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Area. The theme for the symposium is “Bridges to the Future of Freshwater Mollusk Conservation”.

This theme incorporates the near completed Gordie Howe International Bridge that connects Michigan and Ontario across the Detroit River. Bridges have numerous literal and metaphoric relationships to our interests in freshwater mollusk biology and conservation: from relocations during bridge construction projects, to linking our expertise with conservation of these imperiled species, to linking our research that ranges from molecules to ecosystems, microhabitats to watersheds, stream reaches to continents, and ancient to contemporary timescales. The theme of FMCS 2025 is to reflect on the last quarter-century of the society and its role in freshwater mollusk conservation and build bridges moving the society toward another successful 25 years.


Registration

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (COMING SOON)
ATTENDEE STATUS EARLY BIRD
Registration rate
(Through March. 1st)		 REGULAR
Registration rate
(after March 1st to April 1st)
Member $525 $600
Non-Member $625 $700
Student/Retiree Member $375 $450
Student/Retiree Non-Member $425 $500

VIRTUAL REGISTRATION: $300 (see WHOVA events in GENERAL SCHEDULE, all times in Eastern Timezone.)

 BACK TO TOP


Location & Transportation

Lodging:

All symposium activities are planned on site at the Marriott Eagle Crest.

The Marriott Eagle Crest hotel should be able house all FMCS 2025 attendees. Sign up now at this link: https://book.passkey.com/e/50915551  (booking closes before April 14th or when block fills).
Quoted rate: $154/night + taxes.

Parking for those staying at hotel is FREE. For those staying offsite, parking is $10/day.

Transportation:

Things to do in the local area:

BACK TO TOP


General Schedule

Questions about the schedule?  Email any of the “Contacts”. All times listed are in Eastern Time Zone

Mon. May 12 Tue. May 13 Wed. May 14 Th. May 15 Fri. May 16
REGISTRATION
7am-5pm
Snacks & drinks available all morning		 REGISTRATION
7am-5pm
Snacks & drinks available all morning		 REGISTRATION
7am-5pm
Snacks & drinks available all morning		 Field Trips and Explore Michigan options for those interested
REGISTRATION
(for Workshop Attendees)
8-9am		 Land Acknowlegement
Welcome, Announcements and Plenary.
8-10am
Ballroom WHOVA

Announcements and Lightning Talks.
8-10am

Ballroom WHOVA

Announcements and Plenary.
8-10am

Ballroom WHOVA
Workshop
9am-2pm
TBA		 Break
10-10:20am		 Break
10-10:20am		 Break
10-10:20am
Concurrent Sessions (3)
10:20-Noon
WHOVA		 Concurrent Sessions (3)
10:20-Noon
WHOVA		 Concurrent Sessions (3)
10:20-Noon
WHOVA
      Lunch break and box lunches for committee meetings (Mollusk Status and Distribution, Publications)
12-1pm


Commitee Meetings (Professional Development, Field Studies and EcoServices, and Genetics
1-2pm		 Lunch break and box lunches for committee meetings (DEI, Outreach, and Guidelines and Techniques)
12-1pm		 FMCS All members luncheon and business meeting 12-2pm
Ballroom
Gastropod Naming (Auditorium from Workshop<15)
2-4:50pm
TEAMS or ZOOM		 Bivalve Names
(Conference Room<15)
2-4:50pm
TEAMS or ZOOM		     Concurrent Sessions (3)
2-3:20pm
WHOVA		 Concurrent Sessions (3)
2-3:20pm
WHOVA		 Concurrent Sessions (3)
2-3:20pm
WHOVA
  Registration
3-8pm		 Break 3:20-3:40 (coffee and water stations) Break 3:20-3:40 (coffee and water stations) Break 3:20-3:40 (coffee and water stations)
  Concurrent Sessions (3)
3:40-5pm
WHOVA		 Concurrent Sessions (3)
3:40-5pm
WHOVA		 Concurrent Sessions (3)
3:40-5pm
WHOVA
  Exec Meeting (conference room)
5-7pm
TEAMS or ZOOM		   Poster set-up
5:30-6pm		 Preview Auction Items
5:30-6:30pm		 Dinner on your own and explore Ypsilanti/Ann Harbor
  Mentor Mixer (Elizabeth Ann)
6:30-7:30pm		 Poster Session and Mixer (food and drinks)
6-8:30pm
Marquee and Atrium		 Dinner and Auction 6:30-10:30pm
Ballroom
Welcome Mixer
7-10pm
Marquee		    


BACK TO TOP


Abstracts

Due February 12th, 2025 11:59PM EST  See Link

We invite participants to present talks and posters on a wide range of topics related to freshwater mollusk conservation and biology, encompassing subjects such as life history and ecology, species status and distribution, surveys and monitoring, propagation, ecosystem and community ecology, genetics and phylogeny, ecosystem services, mollusk community and habitat restoration, contaminants and ecotoxicology, outreach, climate change, non-native mollusks, and mollusk kills.

Instructions for authors

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm Eastern U.S. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 using the Whova app at https://tinyurl.com/244xskeu. Participants may choose to present a traditional talk, either in person or virtually, poster, or 5-minute "lightning talk" for those wanting to share quick updates or early results on a project. Traditional talks will have 20-minute slots: 15 minutes for presentations plus 5 minutes for questions. Virtual attendees are required to provide a pre-recorded talk prior to the conference start date. Those opting for a traditional talk (in person or virtual) or poster must submit a full abstract, with a limit of 2,100 characters (with spaces, ~300 words). A full abstract is not necessary for lightning talks, but a title, authors' names, and a brief 1-2 sentence description are required by the abstract deadline.

If you have any questions regarding abstract submission, please reach out to Dave Strayer at strayerd@caryinstitute.org.

BACK TO TOP

Field Trips

There will be 3-4 field trips offered at an extra cost for Friday May 16th.  These will include trips to local rivers and/or highlight mollusk and/or areas of interest in southeast Michigan.  Busses and lunches will be included in the costs (expected to be ~$50-75 per person).  Details to follow.

BACK TO TOP
Sponsors

The FMCS is a not-for-profit society, dedicated to the advocacy and conservation science of freshwater mollusk resources. Our Symposium provide great opportunities to network and build relationships with conservation professional from state and federal governments, industry, universities, and conservation organizations. The Society has a membership of over 500, of which about 300 generally attend the biennial Symposium.  These professionals are constantly working to conserve freshwater mollusks, Attendees of the Symposium are scientists, biologists, national and international that work outside and in labs that are constantly working to conserve freshwater mollusks and we need your help. We are requesting monetary sponsorships to help offset the costs of the Symposium.
Below is a brealkdown of our sponsorship levels:

River >$2,000 Two Complimentary Registrations (One Virtual and One In-Person), Logo on Website Registration Page, Recognition in the Virtual Program
Stream $1,000 - $2,000

One Complimentary Registration (Virtual or In-Person), Logo on Website Registration Page, Recognition in the Virtual Program
Eddy $500 - $999

Logo on Website Registration Page and Recognition in the Virtual Program
Mussel $100 - $499 Recognition in the Virtual Program

SPONSOR A SPECIFIC PART OF PROGRAM OR EVENT (e.g., student-mentor mixer, poster session, coffee breaks, banquet). Amount TBD in consultation with symposium sponsorship committee.

To Sponsor please use THIS link

OR

CLICK HERE

Please contact Kiara Cushway (FMCS 2025 Sponsorship Chair) to confirm you will be sponsoring or with questions: cushkia1@gmail.com

BACK TO TOP


Auction

We are looking forward to a fun auction on Wednesday evening after our banquet.  If you have any donations for the auction please send an email to Daelyn Woolnough: wooln1d@cmich.edu


Diversity, Equity, and inclusion (DEI)

FMCS DEI Mission Statement:

"FMCS encourages participation by all individuals regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, physical or mental difference, politics, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or subculture. We aim to cultivate a society built on mutual respect and strive for a welcoming environment for all. FMCS promotes diversity in all areas of societal activity, including fostering diversity in membership, leadership, committees, outreach, public engagement, and recruitment.”

DEI is at the forefront of all planning for the 14th Biennial Symposium.  The Whova app being used for the conference will outline immediate contacts if you have any safety, access, or DEI concerns.

Code of Conduct for the Conference CLICK HERE

FMCS has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee - CLICK HERE - and any FMCS member is welcome to join this committee.

BACK TO TOP


Student Specific Planning

FMCS is planning for everyone to have a great time at this symposium—including if you are a student! Student events not to miss:

  • Mentor/Mentee Mixer: Monday evening BEFORE the general mixer.  Meet and talk with mentors and fellow students. FREE but remember to sign up during registration.

  • Committee Meetings: All committee meetings welcome new attendees and as a student you are welcome to attend any committee meeting. Read the on the FMCS website what the committees are responsible for and choose one to attend both Tuesday and Wednesday.  Find out how FMCS functions on a voluntary basis, get involved, and build your networks!  Lunch included for those who sign up to attend meetings during registration.

  • Banquet: Wednesday night, included with registration. Fun networking event that culminates with our FMCS auction where funds raised go to supporting student members of FMCS.

  • Award Luncheon: Thursday. Presentations by incoming executive, upcoming events, and awards for student presentations. Great for networking and included with registration.

  • Workshop (Monday) and/or Field Trips (Friday) participants will have excellent opportunities to meet and network with FMCS members and other students.

BACK TO TOP


Awards

See information on general FMCS Awards including how to nominate people for awards and travel awards:

https://molluskconservation.org/Mservices_awards.html


Symposium Contacts

For more information about the symposium or specific symposium planning committee contacts, please get in touch with the meeting organizers below.

Amy Maynard, FMCS Meeting Chair and President Elect, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Amy_maynard@fws.gov

Daelyn Woolnough, FMCS Co-chair, Central Michigan University
wooln1d@cmich.edu

Dave Zanatta, FMCS Co-chair, Central Michigan University
zanat1d@cmich.edu


Social Media

Follow Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society on Instagram (@freshwatermollusk), X (@FMCS_Mollusk), or Facebook (Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society) for updates and information on the 2025 Symposium.
Please use the following HASHTAG when posting about the 2025 Symposium #FMCS2025