9:45 – 10:45 am, OIT College Union Mt. McLoughlin room
In August and September of 2018 and 2019, Bird Ally X (BAX) responded to avian botulism (Clostridium botulinum) outbreaks at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex that affected thousands of birds. With a response staff of two, support from the refuge, volunteers and interns, BAX created a functional field hospital and treated over 700 birds. January Bill and Marie Travers will share the recovery effort with you.

FREE but registration required.

11:00 am – 12:30 pm, OIT College Union Mt. Bailey/Mt. Thielsen rooms
Waterfowl are not only one of the most attractive groups of birds, but they are also one of the most diverse. Unique adaptations allow them to take advantage of a wide range of habitats and understanding these adaptations will increase your bird watching or wildlife photography experience. Join refuge biologist John Vradenburg for this waterfowl ecology talk.

FREE but registration required

10:00 am – noon, OIT College Union Mt. Bailey/Mt. Thielsen rooms
Joe and Cordi Atkinson will share the program they have developed in Eastern Oregon over the last two decades to rehabilitate young golden eagles for release back to the wild. They will discuss the needs and challenges of these young eagles. They will also share some of their experiences working on film projects with eagles throughout the world.

Fee: $10

4:00 – 5:00 pm, OIT College Union Mt. Bailey/Mt. Thielsen rooms
Local bird photographer Mel Clements will speak on his experience of photographing the Great Gray Owls of the Howard Prairie Lake area in S. Oregon. His presentation includes an introduction to the Great Gray Owl, its habitat, and the ethics of finding and photographing this magnificent owl. His talk is accompanied by an exhibit of his framed photography and a short DVD of Great Gray Owl photos set to music. This is one of our most popular presentations so register early!

FREE but registration required

10:00 am – 11:30 am, OIT Mt. Bailey/Mt. Thielsen rooms
Imagine traveling to the Philippines to train two Philippine Eagles to be filmed as part of the documentary, Bird of Prey, produced by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Joe and Cordi Atkinson will share their experiences there as they helped to generate awareness of the critically endangered status of the rarest eagle in the world. You will learn about the immense challenges Philippine Eagles face for survival and the ‘forest watcher’ program developed to include indigenous people in the protection of the forest and remaining eagles in the wild.

Fee: $5

1:30 – 2:30 pm, OIT College Union Mt. Bailey room
William Finley once called the Klamath Basin “the everglades of the west” based on the extent of wetland habitat found across this large basin. Today only 10% of the historic wetland footprint remains and securing appropriate water to manage these last remnants of wetland habitat is an annual struggle. Join Refuge Supervisory Biologist John Vradenburg for a discussion on the history of the wetlands in the Klamath Basin and the struggle to manage refuge habitats with limited water.

FREE but registration required