August 22–23, 2024
Columbia Country Club, Columbia Missouri
CONFERENCE THEME
“20 Years of the Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative Conference: Gathering to help birds and their habitats”
Conference Sponsors
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 22 |
|
5 pm | Registration |
6 pm–7:30 pm | Social time, with heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar available. |
7:30 pm–8:00 pm | Welcoming remarks/housekeeping: John Burk, Conference Chair. Open Silent Auction |
8:00 pm–9:00 pm | Keynote speaker: An overview of the inception and history of the Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative. Dave Erickson, MoBCI Foundation Treasurer |
9:00 pm–10 pm | Continue social time |
Friday, August 23 |
|
7:15 am | Coffee and tea for conference registrants |
8:00 am–9:00 am | Welcome and highlights of the year. General Assembly Meeting. Allison Vaughn, MoBCI Steering Committee Chair |
9:00 am–10:15 am |
3, 20-Minute project history presentations from community- conservation based affiliates: Restoration Efforts in the Big Rivers Confluence: USACE and Riverlands Audubon Center ecosystem restoration. Tyler Goble, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beyond Birding: Columbia Audubon Society’s efforts in landscape restoration and education. Lottie Bushmann, Columbia Audubon Society Greater Ozarks Audubon Society’s contributions to Southwest Missouri and the GLADE Project. Myra Scroggs, Greater Ozarks Audubon Society |
10:15 am–10:30 am | Project Poster Session and Break |
10:30 am–11:30 am |
3, 20-Minute project history presentations from longtime MoBCI grant recipients: Glade, Woodland, Wetland and Prairie Restoration Projects in Missouri State Parks. Jacob Bryant, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Missouri Prairie Foundation and MoBCI Partnership Over the Decade. Jerod Huebner, Missouri Prairie Foundation National Wild Turkey Federation’s Mission Delivery and the role of MoBCI Grants. John Burk, National Wild Turkey Federation |
11:30am–12:30 pm | Lunch with Presentation: Overview and highlights from the Grasslands Summit. Andrew White, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever |
12:30pm–1:30 pm |
New faces and Initatives: Where do we go in the next 20 years? 3, 20-Minute presentations from individuals and projects relatively new in the field of bird conservation in Missouri: USFWS Bird Initiatives: Beyond the Bird. Erin Holmes & Sarah Kendrick, US Fish & Wildlife Service Bottomland Forest Birds of the Upper Mississippi River. Tara Hohman, Audubon Center at Riverlands The Past, Present, and Future of the Brown-headed Nuthatch in Missouri. Kristen Heath-Acre, Missouri Department of Conservation |
1:30 pm–3:00 pm | Open discussion to brainstorm on calls to action where attendees will have the opportunity to help mold the future of MoBCI |
3:00–3:30 pm | Wrap-up and closing comments summarize ways we can make a difference for birds: Allison Vaughn |
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
Columbia Country Club
2210 N. Country Club Drive
Columbia, Missouri
Driving Directions from I-70:
From I-70 take Rangeline Exit and head South on Rangeline. At the second signal, turn left onto Business Loop 70. Follow approximately 1 mile passing under a bridge and take a right on Old Hwy 63. Travel about ½ mile and turn left onto Country Club Drive at the gates which will lead you to the Club.
Driving Directions from Hwy 63: From Hwy 63 take the Broadway Exit and head West on Broadway. At the second signal, turn right on Old Hwy 63. Follow approximately ½ mile and turn right onto Country Club Drive at the gates, which will lead you to the Club.
AREA ACCOMMODATIONS
Columbia Country Club does not have overnight accommodations so the conference attendees are encouraged to book their own rooms, in advance, at a facility of their choice. Columbia has a wide selection of hotels and motels within a short distance.