WORKSHOP: Securing, centralizing and activating data for Canadian bat conservation needs

When: Wednesday, October 8th, 2-5pm
Where: JW Marriot, 3rd floor

Cost: Free

There is an urgent need to secure and centralize Canadian bat data in a way that enables timely and effective conservation action. This forum on “securing, centralizing, and activating data for Canadian bat conservation needs” invites those who hold or help orchestrate Canadian bat data deposition and those who have an invested interest in putting data to conservation action (e.g., academic, consultant, and government biologists) to participate in an open discussion. During this session, we will emphasize the acute urgency, and lay out potential routes forward. This interactive session will ask participants what data they want to have considered, what barriers there are for data centralization, and what other routes forward should be considered. This two hour session is open to all and no registration is needed.

WORKSHOP: Education and Outreach Committee

When: Thursday, October 9th, 12-1:30pm (Lunch Break)
Where: JW Marriot, 3rd floor

Cost: tbd

The education and outreach committee would like to provide a shortened workshop this year, in light of participant budgetary needs, so that an extra day is not required. We would like to have an extended lunch workshop. Thursday lunch was discussed with Riley and Matina as an option. Our initial topic idea for this year is "how to discuss controversial topics involving bats with the public," focusing mainly on zoonotic diseases, given the reduced timeframe. We can modify the main topic if needed to avoid overlap with other workshops and/or make it more broad to wildlife in general, rather than just bats, to make it more appealing to TWS. We expect this workshop will appeal to a group that is less likely to attend a more scientific-formated workshop and are looking for ideas on working directly with the public. Our goal with the "tricky conversations" is to ultimately provide digital materials for NASBR members to easily access.

We would also like to spend a few minutes of the meeting discussing resources for Year of the Bat, as we anticipate that being important to the attendees of this workshop.

Spallanzani Curling bonspiel/funspiel

When: Wednesday, October 8th, 1-4pm
Where: University of Alberta’s Saville Community Sport Center

Cost: Regular: 40 USD, Student: 20 USD, Expectator: 15 USD

Join us for an afternoon of fun on the curling rink! We will be hosting the Spallanzani fundraiser at the University of Alberta’s Saville Community Sport Center which has a world class curling facility that is home to the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas Curling Team. This venue is a short LTR (subway) ride from the hotel and will be the perfect venue for you to come and learn the curling basics. There will be lessons ahead of the bonspiel/funspiel. In case you want watch but you don't feel like going out onto the rink, you can also join us and watch the action from the onsite pub overlooking the action. Please purchase tickets ahead of time for this fundraiser as we need to know numbers for planning for the instructors and the number of ice sheets. Purchase tickets at our optional items shop before September 15th.

If you have questions about curling in general or the funspiel, please contact Mark Brigham who is leading the event.

NASBR Fruit Bats LGBTQIA+ Mixer

When: Thursday, October 9th, 7:00 to 10:00 PM
Where: To be announced soon! 

Cost: FREE  

We are excited to host the fifth meeting of the NASBR Fruit Bats LGBTQ+ affinity space at the 53rd NASBR! The Fruit Bats events provide a safe and inclusive environment for individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community to network, socialize, and have fun. It's an opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences and identities, build community and support networks, and enjoy some of the local nightlife that Edmonton has to offer with your professional community. 
This year's event will take place on the night of Thursday, October 9th from ~7-10PM. Exact details are still being decided, but the mixer will be separated into two consecutive events on the same night as we have done in the past. The first portion of the mixer will be open to all registered NASBR attendees who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community, while the second portion of the mixer will be open to all registered NASBR attendees (i.e., ally inclusive). 
We ask everyone who is planning to attend either portion of the Fruit Bats mixer to please RSVP here so we can get a rough count of attendees for space reservations and food orders. Any questions about this event should be directed to fruitbatsorg@gmail.com. For those interested in keeping up-to-date with future Fruit Bats events, please visit the Fruit Bats website where you can learn more about past events, join our mailing list, and much more.

Awards ceremony and Auction

When: Saturday, October 11th, 8pm
Where: JW Marriot

Cost: FREE

This year, we are doing things a little bit differently in terms of the banquet. Instead of a sit-down banquet, we are going to host a reception with a dessert buffet and a cash bar starting at 8pm in the hotel. There will be no charge for this reception and we hope that this will encourage everyone to attend our awards and auction. We invite all members to make their own arrangements for dinner and join us back at the hotel for the Auction and awards ceremony. Be advised that there is a hockey game that night downtown and all the restaurants are going to be busy, so book ahead for your favorite restaurant so that you are ready to join us back at the hotel by 8pm. We will also be able to watch the game (on monitors) from the hotel.