DESERT TORTOISE COUNCIL

Working to assure the continued survival of viable populations of the desert tortoise throughout its range

2013 Symposium Index

Desert Tortoise Council 38th Annual Symposium
February 15 - February 17, 2013
Sam’s Town, Las Vegas, Nevada

Announcements

Click major Symposium sponsors to view the list of major sponsors as of February 8, 2013.

Click Host Committee and Vendors for information about the Host Committee and the Vendors for the 2013 Symposium.

The Program for the 38th Annual Meeting and Symposium of the Desert Tortoise Council is almost full: just a few openings remain open for oral presentations. Posters are welcome and many opportunities still remain for presenting posters during special poster sessions scheduled for both Friday and Saturday evenings.

Symposium Program Information

On-site check in and registration for the Annual Meeting and Symposium begins at 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning, February 15. The Annual Business Meeting will be held from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., with the Symposium Program beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m. First on the program are guest scientists and experts speaking about the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. Dr. Steve Schwarzbach is the lead speaker in this important, opening session. Dr. Schwarzbach chaired the Independent Science Panel who reviewed the early draft DRECP and presented a final report to the Renewable Energy Action Team (California Energy Commission, California Dept. of Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Other speakers with critical information include Dr. Wayne Spencer of the Conservation Biology Institute, who will discuss potential effects of the DRECP on small mammals; Dr. Jim Andre of the University of California’s Natural Reserve system, who will review potential effects on rare and endangered plants; Dr.Todd Katzner of West Virginia University, an expert on birds of prey in Asia and the Southwest and lead scientist on a series of research projects focused on golden eagles in the California deserts, will discuss his previous and ongoing research; and Steve Ishii, who has been tracking the business and financial aspects of renewable energy in the Southwest, will share his findings.

We have other exciting program news. Dr. Camila Ferrara of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil and a recent graduate, will speak about the ground-breaking research that she, Dr. Richard Vogt, and Renata S. Sousa-Lima, just published on turtle vocalizations as the first evidence of posthatching parental care. The Desert Tortoise Council is delighted to have her!

There will be a special session on predation by subsidized predators, including invited speaker Dr. Brian Cypher, from California State University at Stanislaus, who will present results of his research on coyotes in the Central Mojave Desert. Andrew Walde and Pete Woodman will share information on raven predation on adult tortoises and Dr. Darryl Heard from the University of Florida will discuss dog attacks on gopher tortoises. Cristina Jones of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is chairing the special session on Morafka’s desert tortoise and has lined up several speakers, including three students. Other sessions will focus on such topics as translocation in tortoises, the latest information on health and diseases in tortoises, government actions associated with desert tortoise recovery, results of head starting projects, and effects of various anthropogenic stressors on desert tortoises. The Symposium is expected to close mid-afternoon on Sunday, February 17.

Annual Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting of the Corporation will be held on Friday, February 15, 2013 from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. in the Virginia City Room at Sam’s Town. All Desert Tortoise Council members are invited to attend. The Symposium will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning and continue through 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 17.

Other Information

Funds are available for students giving papers and who require support for travel.

And don't forget to enter the Desert Tortoise Council's Annual Photo Contest. Submissions are available for viewing on the Photo Entries page.

Hotel Information

We recommend that you register for the Symposium early and take advantage of the lower rates. If your registration is submitted/postmarked after January 18, 2013, rates are higher. We also recommend that you reserve your room at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino before January 15, 2013. Room rates are: $26.99 for Thursday (February 14, 2013) and $59.99 for Friday-Sunday (February 15-17, 2013). Guests should call the Hotel Reservations Department office at the toll-free number (877-593-5993), which is open Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time).

This great, low rate is only available to those who make their reservations directly with the Hotel Reservations Department. Callers must identify themselves as attendees of the Desert Tortoise Council or with the group code DESB13A to obtain this special room rate. Please be advised that there is a $4.50 Hotel Service Fee per room/per night. This fee includes unlimited local phone calls, voice mail, wake-up calls, paging service, inbound faxing, and shuttle service to Downtown and Strip properties. Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. and check-out time is 12:00 p.m.

Symposium Field Trip: Thursday, February 14, 2013

Ivanpah Valley: Join Dr. Tracey Tuberville, Danna Hinderle, and Peter Woodman on a tour of northern Ivanpah Valley. We will first visit the Headstart facility located adjacent to Mojave National Preserve. Dr. Tracey Tuberville (or other researcher at the facility) to hear about the success of their Headstart program. We will stay for two to three hours then move a bit north to hear from Danna Hinderle about the toxics study she is leading. Topics of conversation will be the goals, objectives, methods of the Headstart program, solar projects, desert tortoise populations in the region, and various studies being conducted for the solar projects. We will meet at Sam’s Town in the Hall in front of the meeting room at 8 AM. Bring water, lunch, good walking shoes, and a coat. Plan on a return of 4 PM. We will car pool and will set that up Thursday morning. For any questions please contact Peter Woodman at kivabio@aol.com

Exciting News About The Raffle and Auction

THE DTC HAS SUPERCHARGED THE RAFFLE/AUCTION EVENT THIS YEAR!!!

A raffle/auction is held at the Annual Symposium as a fundraiser so the Council can continue to expand its efforts towards conservation and research related to the desert tortoise. This year we have some amazing auction items!

We have a donation of a stay at a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom condominium at Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana. AND, Big Sky Resort has donated two days of ski passes for two people OR two days of golfing for two people, depending upon what time of year the condominium stay occurs (ski passes prior to April 14, 2013 and golf passes after April 15 and before August 31, 2013). The resort boasts the “Biggest Skiing in America” where you have access to more skiing than anywhere else in the United States, including access to 5,532 skiable acres and endless ways to navigate 4,350 feet of vertical drop. At 11,166 feet, the runs appeal to every age and level of skier and boarder. Runs up to six miles long and glades and bowls covered in 400~plus inches of annual snowfall make a day on the slopes something different for everyone. Many opportunities for, golfing, guided fly-fishing, horseback riding, zip-lining, wildlife viewing, and wildlife photography are also located at the Resort or in the immediate vicinity of the condominium and Yellowstone National Park is located less than an hour away. This prize has to be used before August 31, 2013.

Frank Fursitti, of Ranger 85 Sportfishing, is donating a 1.5 day deep sea fishing trip for two people out of San Diego, California. The Ranger 85 is one of the most versatile Sportfishing Vessels on the West Coast. At 85 feet in length, there is plenty of fishing room and comfort. With a wide deck and a low profile, the Ranger 85 is an excellent platform to fish from. All new electronics including Wesmar Side Scanning Sonar, Furuno Fish Finders, and Satellite Navigation fill the bridge and provide an advantage on the fishing grounds. From August through October, they fish out of H&M Landing in San Diego where they target Albacore Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowtail, and Dorado on the Outer Banks and other prime fishing locations.

Sandi Sisti, of Wild at Heart Images
( http://wildatheartimages.photoshelter.com/ ) , is an award winning photographer who is donating a stunning, framed photograph of bighorn sheep. Sandi is an avid naturalist and animal behaviorist and she can be found in continuous pursuit of images that capture the spirit of the natural world and its inhabitants. Sandi spends much of her time photographing wildlife in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. She hopes her images inspire you to explore the wonders of nature in your own little corner of the world.

If you are attending the Symposium or if you just have an interest in being part of the effort to conserve the desert tortoise and its habitat and you would like to donate a tax deductible item for the raffle/auction, then either bring it with you to the Symposium or contact Council Board Members, Mari Quillman [mquillman@ecorpconsulting.com, (714) 222-5932] or
Heidi McMaster [hmcmaster@usbr.gov,
(702) 856-9359)].
To access our donor form,
click raffle/auction donation form.

Symposium Sponsorships

Support the Desert Tortoise Council Symposium by becoming a sponsor! Different levels of sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals, companies, agencies, and/or groups that would like to support the efforts of the Desert Tortoise Council. Sponsors will be acknowledged in the Symposium program, at the podium during the Symposium and the banquet, and at various locations throughout the Symposium venue. In addition, the sponsors will also be acknowledged in an upcoming Desert Tortoise Council newsletter. We hope you will join us at our Annual Symposium.

Click Sponsor/Exhibitor registration form for more information.