August 20–21, 2026
Columbia Country Club, Columbia, MO, Columbia Missouri
CONFERENCE THEME
“From Harrow to Sparrow…making dual purpose lands work for birds!”
Conference Sponsors
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SCHEDULE
| THURSDAY | |
| 5 pm |
Registration |
| 6 pm – 7:30 pm |
Social time, with heavy hors d’ oeuvres |
| 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm |
Welcoming remarks/housekeeping John Burk, MoBCI Steering Committee Open Silent Auction |
| 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
Keynote speaker: Karl Malcolm As human populations expand simultaneously with increasing quality of life standards, pressure on natural systems to meet these demands likewise increases. Over time, as administrations and their respective philosophies swing from carrot to stick and back again, achieving a healthy balance is increasingly challenging yet, at the same time, imperative. “Stick people” demand that state and federal governments draft restrictive regulations and employ an army of enforcers intent on doling out excessive penalties to ensure compliance. However, in most cases, the livelihoods and quality of life of the people drafting and supporting these regulations are not directly impacted by them. “Carrot people” prefer that “doing the right thing” doesn’t cost them a bunch of money and, preferably, might even make them some. Our speaker will cover the importance of incentivizing good behavior and explore examples of how working lands can provide landowners and managers with a “cake and eat it too” scenario. Karl Malcolm is Vice President of Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society with Ruffed Grouse Society. |
| 9:00 pm – 10 pm |
Continue social time |
| FRIDAY | |
| 7:15 am |
Coffee and tea for conference registrants |
| 8:00 am – 9:00 am |
Welcome and highlights of the year. General Assembly Meeting Neil Baalman, Chair, MoBCI Steering Committee |
| 9:00 am – 10:15 am |
Three, 20-minute examples of wetland related examples: |
| 10:15 am – 10:30 am |
Project Poster Session and Break |
| 10:30 am – 11:30 am |
Three, 20-minute examples of forestry related tie-ins: |
| 11:30pm – 12:30 pm |
Lunch with Presentation: Avian Influenza. David Marks, APHIS |
| 12:30pm – 1:50 pm |
Four, 20-minute examples of grassland related tie-ins: |
| 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm |
Update on MoBCI Strategic Plan |
| 3:00 – 3:30 pm |
Wrap-up and closing comments summarize ways we can make a difference for birds: Neil Baalman |
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.