Workshops
In addition to workshops on using eBird data and tools (see below), we are looking for other workshop and training meetings that people are interested in holding during the Alaska Bird Conference. Workshops could be held Monday, December 7th, 2026 or Friday, December 11th, 2026. However, there are other meetings and workshops planned for these days so keep that in mind.
To propose a workshop or training, please email John Pearce with a short proposal at jpearceinak@gmail.com
eBird Data Workshops
Staff of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will be in Anchorage to lead one or two hands-on, interactive workshops using the programming language R to dive into eBird data for producing simple maps and summaries, analyzing status data, species distributions, and working with habitat correlates. If interested, please complete the workshop selection survey at the link below.
eBird Workshop Selection Survey
Abstracts
Abstracts for oral and poster presentations and proposals for workshops are now being accepted for the 21st Alaska Bird Conference. We are considering a hybrid meeting option for the second day of the conference (December 9th). See abstract format section below for letting us know about your interest in this option.
This year’s theme Next Steps for Birds focuses on the major changes affecting bird populations and the ways we monitor them, emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities ahead. Conference sessions—including plenaries, talks, posters, and group discussions—will explore three key areas:
- Changes in Funding and Focus
- Conserving Alaska´s Long-distance Migrants in the Neotropics
- Tracking the Distribution and Abundance of Birds in Alaska
Each day will begin with a plenary on the topic above and continue with shorter presentations and a workshop aimed at developing concrete, actionable “next steps” for each of these topics. All topics relevant to Alaska birds are welcome, but we encourage conference attendees to consider proposing talks and posters on these three topics. We welcome abstracts from students, Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists, and others.
Presentations should be related to birds that spend all or part of their life cycle in Alaska. A primary objective of all Alaska Bird Conferences is to share new information, thus preliminary results and summaries of ongoing work are acceptable. All submissions must be presented by one of the named authors on the abstract. The Alaska Bird Conference gives awards for the best oral and poster presentations by a student.
All abstracts must be received no later than Thursday, 1 October 2026. Proposals for workshops and special sessions must be received by Friday, 3 July 2026. You will receive an e-mail acknowledgment and information on abstract acceptance for the conference within one week of submission. All presenters of papers and posters must register for the conference.
Abstract Format and Information:
The entire document must be in Times 12-pt font and left justified. Place title first, in bold font. Skip one line; list the author(s), using the format shown below. Use numbered superscripts after each last name if there are two or more authors and they have different addresses. Bold the presenting author’s name. Skip one line and type the full address(es) of the author(s) as well as the email address of the presenter. Limit the entire abstract (title, author names and addresses, and body of abstract) to 250 words. Please proofread carefully. For more information, or if you have difficulties in submitting your abstract as per these guidelines, please contact Laura McDuffie (USGS Alaska Science Center) at lmcduffie@usgs.gov
All oral presentations will be scheduled for 15 minutes, including questions from the audience (12 min. talk + 3 min. question and answer). Poster size and other suggested formatting will be available on the meeting website beginning in early October.
Email your abstract as a Microsoft Word attachment using the following naming convention: first and last name of the first author (e.g. Laura_McDuffie.doc). We prefer that authors only submit one talk per person. Email abstracts to Laura McDuffie (USGS Alaska Science Center) at lmcduffie@usgs.gov. Please include “ABC 2026 abstract” in the subject line of the email.
EXAMPLE abstract submission
Next Step For Birds: Alaska’s Role and Contributions
Rusty Blackbird1, Les R. Scaup1, and Ross S. Goose2
1Institute of Landbird Ecology, East Minto University, Tanana, Alaska;
2Department of Duckology, University of the Great North, Utqiaġvik, Alaska
Your abstract should include the primary purpose of the presentation, any key activities or results, and the main conclusions. Try to minimize scientific jargon and methods. Please limit the text of the abstract to 250 words.
_____________________________
Required additional information at the bottom of the abstract:
Format (choose one): POSTER, ORAL, or EITHER
Desire to submit oral talk in pre-recorded or virtual format? Yes or No
We will try to honor the choice of format but may decide that an oral talk be changed to a poster depending on the number of oral presentations submitted.
Students: Indicate whether the presenter is a current student, including institution and expected degree (e.g. B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) to be considered for the Best Student Presentation and Poster awards.
Additional Equipment Needed? Please specify.