Date: 8/26/26 6:17 am From: Michael Ferrara <00000fca8e4de7ff-dmarc-request...> Subject: Arkansas Bird Alliance Fall Convention Call to Meeting
Hello Arkansas birders,
The Fall 2026 Arkansas Bird Alliance convention will be held on October 16-18, 2026, at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. Get ready for outstanding speakers and field trips! Field trips will include great birding destinations with amazing guides, a banding observation opportunity, and a beginner-friendly option on Saturday. On Sunday, three location options are offered, including Holla Bend NWR, birding around Lake Dardanelle, and Adkins Bottoms.
On Friday night Chris Kellner, Professor of Wildlife Science at Arkansas Tech University, will speak about the results from a collaborative research study on the movement and habitat selection of Rusty Blackbirds wintering in the Arkansas River Valley. This research was done in collaboration with his graduate student, Roxy Ohanyan. Chris will also summarize what Christmas Bird Count Data reveals about long-term population trends for this fascinating and rapidly declining species.
Saturday afternoon's symposium will feature a panel discussion about conservation easements. Conservation easements allow private landowners to play a critical role in protecting wildlife habitat, water resources, and open spaces for future generations. Land trusts, nonprofits, and government agencies hold and maintain these easements. The Nature Conservancy manages conservation easements across the US, including over 25,000 acres in Arkansas. This session will provide an overview of conservation easements from both sides—that of the landowner and of TNC—and also touch on other voluntary land conservation strategies available to private landowners. It will also introduce local land trusts and conservation partners who use this and similar tools. Anna Metrailer, Director of Protection for The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas, will be our presenter. She manages conservation land transactions across the state working closely with private landowners, public partners and other conservation organizations to advance protection of our lands and waters for people and nature. She has over 15 years of experience working for environmental organizations and has been in this role for 6 years. Anna has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law. We are hoping for a lively Q & A session! Bring your questions about conservation easements, or email them in advance to Lynn Foster, <lfoster5211...><mailto:<lfoster5211...>.
On Saturday evening, our featured speaker will be Ryan Parker, the Arkansas State Coordinator at Quail Forever. Ryan will be presenting to us about habitat restoration on private lands, with a focus on how members can get involved and better improve your properties to support wildlife.
Field Trip Coordinator Patty McLean has done a fabulous job putting together interesting field trips for us, with 10 guided field trips over three days. These include a banding field trip, easy trips that involve birding by car, and trips to some of the top birding locations in the region including Lake Dardanelle State Park, Holla Bend NWR and Atkins Bottoms. Please take time to look at the options that Patty has planned, and you’ll find it hard to choose!
Last but not least, we will once again hold our silent auction. It's not too early to be thinking about items to donate! Please bring new/like new items to be donated for sale. Used items, including books, can be offered on our “Free Table.”
We hope you can join us for an entertaining and educational weekend of birding, learning, and gathering with friends! Contact Michael Ferrara with any questions at <mcferrara44...><mailto:<mcferrara44...>.
