Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Stay close to the action with direct skywalk access to the Iowa Events Center. Enjoy a prime location, free airport shuttle, indoor pool, and more. Book at a discounted rate of $185/night using the link below.
Des Moines Marriott Downtown
Enjoy easy access to top attractions/dining and a 0.5-mile skywalk connection to the Iowa Events Center. The Des Moines Marriott Downtown also features a hotel shuttle, indoor pool, and more. Book discounted rates at $159/night using the link below.
Flying? Save 5% with Southwest Airlines
Southwest is a preferred carrier for The Wildlife Society’s 33rd Annual Conference. Discounts on eligible fares are for reservations booked now through 11/08/2026 for travel 10/30/2026 through 11/08/2026.
Tour or Stay overnight at Aldo Leopold's House
Coming early to Iowa? Take the time to tour or even stay overnight at Aldo Leopold’s childhood home in Burlington, IA (about 2.5 hours southeast of Des Moines). TWS has partnered with Leopold Landscape Alliance to provide tours and overnight stays at the Aldo Leopold Family Compound.
Professional Development Activities
The value of attending an in-person conference goes far beyond the educational content. Make personal connections that can help shape your career for years to come.
Happy Birthday, TWS and Friends! | Hilton Downtown | Sunday, Nov. 1, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Did you know that TWS is celebrating our 90th Anniversary? It’s true. We were officially formed in 1936 on the same day as the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), but that’s not all. This year also marks the 150th anniversary of J.N. Ding Darling’s birth. Join us as we eat cake, sing Happy Birthday, and celebrate 90 years of conservation legacy in a state steeped in conservation history. Take this opportunity to connect with new faces from across the country and explore collaboration opportunities with our friends at NWF and beyond.
Exhibit Hall and Member Activity Center | Iowa Events Center | Monday – Wednesday, Nov. 2 – 4
The Exhibit Hall contains a treasure trove of networking opportunities. Whether you’re seeking the newest field tech, exploring career/education options or looking to build your community, you’ll find it all in the hall. This year’s Exhibit Hall will feature an artist marketplace, interactive sessions, coffee breaks, networking games and more. Join us for the Tradeshow and Poster Event on Monday, November, 2nd after the day’s educational sessions end for a bit of food and fun.
Student-Professional Networking Event | Science Center of Iowa | Tuesday, Nov. 3, 6 PM – 9 PM
This year, we’re taking inspiration from the film, Field of Dreams, an Iowa classic: “This field — it’s a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.”
Join us for an evening designed to bring students and professionals together across sectors to connect, share experiences, and build optimism for the future of our field. Whether you’re just starting out or well into your career, this is a chance to expand your network in a relaxed and engaging setting. We’re also adding a few new twists this year—think interactive networking elements…and a planetarium.
We’re building it. Will you come?
Celebrating TWS Working Groups and Communities | West End Architectural Salvage | Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7 PM – 9 PM
Join us for a lively reception at the HGTV-featured West End Architectural Salvage, as we celebrate all that unites us within this broad and diverse profession. The reception will feature three floors, each uniquely dedicated to and hosted by TWS Working Groups, Women of Wildlife and Out in the Field. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to explore each floor of this one-of-a-kind venue, with one-of-a-kind company. Will there be karaoke again this year? You’ll have to wait and see.
Not presenting at this year’s conference? Don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways to engage as a student, early-career professional, professional or retiree.
Live and Recorded Sessions – Q&As
Throughout the conference, there will be abundant opportunities to view Symposia, Contributed Oral Presentations, and Posters. Many of these sessions will include time for Q&A. However, much of this year’s content will also be available on-demand through the conference mobile app. If you miss a session or the chance to ask a question, send your question directly through the app. We’re giving attendees more ways than ever to make personal connections with fellow attendees.
“Ask a…” Sessions
Keep an eye out for sessions starting with “Ask a….” These are interactive times to meet with TWS staff and leaders or ask questions to professionals within certain disciplines. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable one-on-one insights on things like getting published or contributing your ideas on topics that could help shape the very landscape of the wildlife profession.
Workshops, Field Trips & Trainings
Workshops, field trips and trainings can be a great place to network and learn at the same time. Participating in these sessions provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience alongside peers and knowledgeable professionals alike. They often cover a wide range of skills you’ll need as a professional. And students receive discounted rates! Want to put your skills to the test right away? Participate in the “Using Humor as a Tool in Conservation Science: Communicating Serious Science Without Being a Buzzkill” workshop and then test your newfound standup comedy skills in front of a live audience at the Stoner Theater.
Leadership Institute and Native Student Professional Development Program
It may be too late to join this year’s cohorts, but you can still engage. Take a moment to talk to this year’s participants. Perhaps you’re considering applying for next year or maybe you want to serve as a mentor/mentee. Start the dialogue and see where it leads.
Student Chapter Leaders and Advisors Lunch (by invitation)
This luncheon, organized by the Student Development Working Group, is an opportunity for student leaders from around North America and beyond to connect and share ideas with leaders from other chapters. Participation is limited to student chapter officers and advisors.
QuizBowl
QuizBowl is back! Does your university have a team? Even if you’re not on a team this year, you can watch the competition live. Root for your favorite teams and see if you have the wildlife knowledge to be a QuizBowl champion.
Do you know you want to be a part of the wildlife profession but are still trying to chart your professional course? Maybe you’re seeking your next big break. We can help!
Resume Review
Meet with experienced professionals to gain valuable and constructive feedback on your resume. Know what potential employers are looking for and how you can avoid common mistakes when applying to your dream job.
Certification Application Assistance
The market for wildlife jobs is competitive. Often, little divides a successful candidate from the rest of the field. Give your resume a boost with certification through The Wildlife Society. During these sessions, our Certification Review Board and staff will help you navigate the rigorous (but rewarding) requirements of certification.
Careers in Conservation Session
Hear from individuals with different career pathways and ask questions in this highly interactive session focused on supporting the next generation of wildlife professionals.
Badge Ribbons
Each year, TWS provides a variety of name badge ribbon options to help support networking amongst attendees. Ribbons include career sector, career stage, working group participation and whether an attendee is hiring. Don’t be afraid to ask about someone’s ribbons. It could lead to an unexpected opportunity or advice that could help shape your career.
Plenary Session - The Role of the Arts in Conservation
We rarely contemplate the subtle (but undeniable) impact of the arts on our discipline, but we only have to consider the origins of our profession to understand their importance. After all, it was not Aldo Leopold’s research that inspired a conservation movement, but rather his eloquent prose. Aldo Leopold himself once commented in a lesser known of his essays, The Role of Wildlife in a Liberal Education, “All the sciences and arts are taught as if they are separate. They are separate only in the classroom. Step out on the campus and they are immediately infused.”
-TWS President, Fidel Hernández
Finding America’s Darling
Roll out the red carpet! To commemorate Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling’s 150th birthday, TWS is partnering with award-winning producer and Darling legacy champion, Samuel Koltinsky, to premiere a 60-minute film that celebrates his visionary collaborative leadership and explores his enduring impact on wildlife habitats across the US, Canada and Europe. There will be multiple film screenings throughout the week.
