Event recap: Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium for Youth
At a Glance
Date: September 28, 2019
Location: Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE, USA
Summary: The first-ever Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium was a day packed with presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for young people (ages 13-22) who are interested in pursuing ornithology studies and careers.
My involvement: I came on to the FOS planning team in the spring of 2019. Through Nighthawk, I provided marketing assistance, design services, and media coverage of the event.
Fun fact: Four inspired conservationists formed the concept of a youth symposium exactly one year prior to the event at the American Birding Expo.
A QUICK NOTE
The Frontiers planning team would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make the 2019 Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium a resounding success. Nearly 150 youth, speakers, volunteers, and mentors, and attendees joined us from 14 states. We could not have put on such an incredible inaugural symposium without the help of our generous supporters. Thank you for making this event possible, and we look forward to your continued support!
In November 2019, Bill Stewart, the driving force behind the symposium, succumbed to a long-fought battle with cancer. While his presence could never be replaced, the team is still dedicated to continuing the Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium in 2021 and beyond. This is just one of many ways that Bill’s legacy will live on.
From Dream to Reality—Pronto!
The origin of the Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium now feels like common knowledge to me after such intense involvement in the event over the past few months. But if you haven’t heard about this event and the motivation behind it yet, that’s because the idea was only conceived a year ago. Chris Eberly and MT Grob were at the 2018 American Birding Expo outside of Philadelphia discussing the idea of an event specifically for ornithologists—more specifically, aspiring ornithologists. In the excitement of the idea of the sorely needed event, they connected with Bill Stewart and Holly Merker, who were also at the Expo. On a cocktail napkin over drinks that night, the Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium was born.
The ideas came together quickly, with Ashland Nature Center in Delaware chosen as the location for the event. Joe Sebastiani, the Manager of Ashland, joined the team to help with the event’s logistics. But most importantly, dozens of leaders in the ornithology field accepted invitations to speak—with no compensation for their time and efforts. Pulitzer-prize nominated, ground-breaking researcher, and all-around badass human Scott Weidensaul instantly agreed to be the keynote speaker. Claire Wayner and Patrick Newcombe, two incredibly inspiring ornithology and conservation activists, joined the lineup as youth keynotes. Panelists signed up, volunteers came forward, and the details began falling into place.
Help from Supporters
Funding for this event was crucial, especially to keep the costs low for young attendees. We needed additional sponsors beyond the organizations of the planning team. Zeiss came forward and made a donation to the event that really made it able to come to life (this is just one of many ways that Zeiss has supported youth through the years). Seeing the importance of the event, other sponsors came on board, and the symposium planning sped on.
I first heard about the plans for the symposium through Bill Stewart, whom I have known for several years. We had met on several occasions, but what stands out in my memories of him was listening to a presentation he gave about the preservation of Delaware’s shoreline during a Bird Watcher’s Digest Reader Rendezvous in 2016. Bill’s presentation stands out in my mind as one of the most passionate conveyances of the importance of conservation that I’ve heard. It was impossible to resist working alongside Bill and the rest of the inspiring FOS team.
Beyond that, in another life, I was pursuing a career in education. My parents are both teachers, and I care deeply about increasing the quality of education (that’s another story). Combining my passions and helping to provide something that helped kids find their way in this field felt like an alignment of stars for me, and I jumped on board.
Final Preparations
We spent the summer refining the details of the symposium and getting the word out. If we could fill the spots, we’d cap the event with 150 participants. The cost to attend was only $25 to make the event accessible. Adults could only attend if they were accompanying youth. In August, registrations started to come in. By September, school groups started forming, with some colleges bringing a van full of students to experience the day. The week before the event, it sold out. And all of a sudden, it was happening!
The Symposium
The objective of the symposium was to focus on ornithology, conservation science, and related academic pursuits. The focus was not on birding, bird identification techniques, or listing birds. Instead, it was on cutting-edge technologies being used in avian research and study, careers in ornithology and how to pursue that focus in either higher education, vocationally or avocationally. The goal was to educate and inspire youth to take their passion for birds to a higher level. The speakers and their presentation topics reflected that goal.
September 28th dawned warm and sunny as dozens of youth gathered at Ashland for some pre-event birding with Ashland Nature Center staff and some of the speakers. When the event officially began, the large room was standing-room only, and the excitement was palpable. After opening remarks, the day set off at breakneck pace. Participants chose between congruent 20-minute sessions for the first few hours of the event. Then, they had a break to learn about bird banding and participate in a hawk watch (both ongoing practices at Ashland). Then, the entire group joined together to listen to the youth keynotes. And that was all before lunch!
More speaker sessions filled the afternoon. Panel discussions were interspersed throughout the speakers, offering varying opinions and dynamic discussions. Topics such as changes in the field of ornithology in recent years and “navigating the flyway” to becoming an avian scientist were discussed. The day ended with a moving keynote presentation by Scott Weidensaul.
Looking Back
The event was spectacular. I am saying that as one of the organizers, but still, I say it with confidence. Throughout the day, I was taking photos and videos to document the event. Overhearing some of the conversations of the participants brought me to joyous tears. These youth were getting the opportunity to learn from their idols. They heard about the speakers’ journeys, what their careers and daily activities were like, and even got guidance on how to pursue their passions.
But what really made it special is that they were getting that experience alongside a hundred other kids who had the same dreams. Participants were swapping their personal stories, talking about their hopes and challenges and dream jobs, and exchanging contact information to stay in touch after the event. Dozens of picnic tables filled with new friends at lunchtime. The sound of so many conversations was incredible. At the end of the event, the room buzzed long after the closing remarks with participants connecting with each other and the speakers in candid conversations. What I saw that day still moves me. I can’t wait to do it all again in 2021.
Continuing the Event
The 2020 Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium will be on September 26 at the Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE. We’re planning to provide even more networking and social opportunities during the event, some more interactive presentations. We will also be looking at some different perspectives of the world of avian science. If you are interested in getting involved, check out the Frontiers website or send me an email.
Dream big!
