A Milestone Year
We are excited to welcome an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers and presenters. Although our longtime Thursday night speaker, Ed Harper, will be traveling in South America during the symposium, “the other Ed,” Ed Pandolfino, will step in with what promises to be an entertaining and memorable presentation on “achieving immortality through birdwatching.” Known for his wit, humor, photography, and exceptional bird recordings, Ed is sure to deliver a crowd favorite.
Our own Keith Hansen will present an interactive program about his journey to becoming one of the premier bird illustrators of his generation, featuring many of his well-known videos from his gallery in Bolinas and beyond.
We are also honored to welcome Hob Osterlund from Hawai‘i. An award-winning author, producer, photographer, and founder of the Kaua’i Albatross Network, Hob will share her expertise on Laysan Albatrosses, their cultural significance in Hawai‘i, and the conservation efforts that have helped protect them.
Registration opens in early September 2026!
Speakers
Ed Pandolfino
Keith Hansen
Hob Osterlund
The symposium will continue its popular student research programming, featuring presentations by local college students studying bird populations, distribution, and conservation in the Central Valley. New this year, we are also expanding programming opportunities for high school-aged Young Birders.
Attendees can once again look forward to a wide variety of field trips, including several new offerings, as well as returning favorite workshops such as bird photography, illustration, and woodcarving. Popular programs, including the Bird Identification Panel and Jon Dunn’s bird identification workshops, will also return.
Mark your calendars for November 19-22, 2026, and start planning to join us for this exciting milestone symposium. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate 30 years of birding, community, and conservation with friends old and new!