<strong>December 6-10, 2010 - <em>Training and Enrichment Workshop for Zoo Animals</em></strong><em> </em>- Oakland Zoo, Oakland, CA.  For information contact Active Environments, Inc. at 805-737-3700 or email Gail Laule at <a href="mailto:moonshadowe@earthlink.net">moonshadowe@earthlink.net</a> or Margaret Rousser at <a href="mailto:margaret@oaklandzoo.org">margaret@oaklandzoo.org</a>.

<strong>February 16-19, 2011  - <em>19th Annual Conference International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators</em></strong> ~ “Pittsburgh 2011: Innovation and Inspiration” Hosted by National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA USA. Papers, posters, site visits, vendors and workshops. Topics will include avian behavior, training, husbandry, conservation, education, enrichment and show presentation/production.  For more information about the conference visit <a href="http://www.IAATE.org">www.IAATE.org</a>.

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<strong>March 2-4, 2011 - <em>Association of Professional Wildlife Educators</em></strong>. To be held at the Frank Buck Zoo Gainesville, Texas. Watch <a href="http://www.apwe.org/">http://www.apwe.org/</a> for details as they become available.

<strong>March 6-11, 2011 - <em>AZA Professional Training Course:  Animal Training Applications in Zoos and Aquariums.</em> </strong>Hosted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Orlando, FL. Get hands-on experience in training animals! This course provides zoo and aquarium staff with a background in training theory and an understanding of the skills necessary to train animals. It includes a historical perspective of animal training as well as terminology and an overview of training techniques. Selected training concepts and skills will be taught via animal demonstrations, group activities and individual skill development opportunities.
For more information:  <a href="http://www.aza.org/professional-training/">http://www.aza.org/professional-training/</a>.

<strong>March 8-11, 2011 -<em> Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation</em></strong>.  Hosted by the Woodland Park Zoo, at Sheraton Seattle Hotel, Seattle, WA, USA.  Icebreaker planned for evening of March 7th. Registration is now open at <a href="http://www.zoo.org/zacc">www.zoo.org/zacc</a>.

We are pleased to announce the ZACC 2011 Keynote Speakers!

Tuesday, March 8
<strong>Dr. Jeff Bonner, President &amp; CEO, St. Louis Zoo</strong>
Dr. Bonner has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Louis Zoo since 2002 and is the Chair Elect of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Under his leadership, Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute was born, with 12 Conservation Centers supporting research and conservation activities for critically endangered species and habitats across the globe. Dr. Bonner is also the author of Sailing with Noah, Stories from the World of Zoos. The book, published in 2006, is an intensely personal, behind-the-scenes look at modern zoos. In it he explores the role of zoos in today's society and their future as institutions of education, conservation and research.

Wednesday, March 9
<strong>Cristina Mittermeier, Founder &amp; Executive Director, International League of Conservation Photographers</strong>
As a photographer and writer since 1996, Cristina Mittermeier has co-edited 9 books, including a series published with Conservation International and Cemex.  Cristina serves as Executive Director of the International League of Conservation Photographers, an organization she founded in 2005, while also serving on the Chairman’s Council at Conservation International, and on the Advisory Board of Nature's Best Magazine.

Thursday, March 10
<strong>Jennifer Morris, Senior Vice President of the Ecosystem Finance Division, Conservation International</strong>
In her current position at Conservation International, Jennifer Morris manages two funds: the Global Conservation Fund and Verde Ventures. The Global Conservation Fund supports the creation and financing of protected areas in Conservation International’s priority countries. The Verde Ventures Fund invests in pro-conservation, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) working in key sectors of interest, providing affordable financing to coffee and cacao producers, as well as ecotourism SMEs worldwide. In prior work with Conservation International, Ms Morris played a key role in assisting local partners in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to analyze, structure, and develop community-based enterprises and credit instruments for the development of rural micro and small enterprises supporting conservation.

Friday, March 11
<strong>Patricia A. Conrad, DVM, PhD, Co-Director of One Health Center, University of California Global Health Institute</strong>
Dr. Patricia Conrad, Co-Director of the One Health Center in the University of California Global Health Institute, is a protozoologist interested in zoonotic disease transmission at the interface between wildlife, humans and domestic animals. She leads an enthusiastic research team of graduate students, staff and collaborators investigating the impact of fecal pathogen pollution in freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems on wildlife and human populations. Developing new technologies for parasite detection and identification of new species is an important part of their studies.

Be sure you register for ZACC 2011 today to hear each of these wonderful speakers! You’ll also be able to network with colleagues, learn the latest news from other conservation organizations, and brainstorm with fellow delegates during breakout sessions all while enjoying beautiful Seattle. For a full agenda and to register, visit <a href="http://www.zoo.org/zacc">www.zoo.org/zacc</a>.
P.S. Early bird conference rate is just $185 and room rates are as low as $165/night.
<strong>March 19-24 , 2011 - Save the Date!  <em>The 2011 AZA Ungulate TAG Midyear Meetings</em></strong> are being planned in conjunction with the AZA Midyear workshop in Chattanooga, TN. The exact dates of the Ungulate TAG meetings will be determined soon.  This year the meetings will include midyear/working meetings for the following AZA TAGS:  Antelope and Giraffe, Equid, Cervid, Caprid, Wild Pig and Peccary and the Cattle TAG, as well as the Annual Ungulate TAG Research Symposium.  AZA has announced that the registration rates will remain the same as the rates in 2009 and the Conference Hotel will be the Chattanooga Marriott with conference rates of $135/night.   Contact Martha Fischer at <a href="mailto:fischer@stlzoo.org">fischer@stlzoo.org</a> for more information.

<strong>April 17-22, 2011 - <em>11th Annual Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA)</em></strong>. In Denver, CO. The conference will kick off with our keynote speaker, Dr. Jill Mellen from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and will culminate with an Earth Day to remember at the Denver Zoo.  See (<a href="http://www.theabma.org/">http://www.theabma.org/</a>) for further information.

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May 15th-18th, 2011 - <em>2011 Rhino Keeper Workshop</em></strong>. To be held at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas. For further info contact:<a href="mailto:adam.felts@columbuszoo.org"> adam.felts@columbuszoo.org</a>.

<strong>August 8-14, 2012 - <em>The World Congress of Herpetology</em></strong> - To be held in Vancouver, Canada. For more information see <a href="http://www.worldcongressofherpetology.org/">http://www.worldcongressofherpetology.org/</a>.

<strong>October 6 – 9, 2011 - <em>Advancing Bear Care 2011</em></strong> – Banff, Canada
Bear biologists and naturalists will lead hikes into bear habitat and interpret for delegates how bears use the components of the ecosystem to express their daily and seasonal routines. We will bring this information back into workshops and apply this knowledge towards improving captive bear husbandry. Also, international bear biologists will assist us in interpreting Asian, European, and South American bear habitats.

<strong>Our Hotels:</strong> We have booked a group of hotels all located in the same block right on the Bow River in Banff. The Banff Park Lodge also owns the Bow View Lodge and the Homestead Inn. Delegates will be able to book a room at one of three price points. You can stay at the Banff Park Lodge [four star hotel] for $135.00 per night - sleeps two - add $15.00 for a third person, or at the Bow View Lodge [three star hotel] for $110.00 per night – sleeps two – add $15.00 for a third person, or at the Homestead Inn [two star hotel] for $95.00 per night – sleeps two. All of the hotels offer clean, fresh rooms with various amenities, and are a two minute walk to dozens of restaurants and pubs at varying price points from McDonalds to international cuisine. Most meals will be offered at the conference but time will be set aside for delegates to experience Banff and the Rocky Mountains. All conference presentations and workshops will be held at the Banff Park Lodge. The arrangement of the hotels is reminiscent of a college campus for convenience.

Banff Park Lodge <a href="http://www.banffparklodge.com/">http://www.banffparklodge.com/</a>
Bow View Lodge <a href="http://www.bowview.com/">http://www.bowview.com/</a>
Homestead Inn <a href="http://www.homesteadinnbanff.com/">http://www.homesteadinnbanff.com/</a>

The Agenda: Breakfast is served in our private breakfast room above the hotel lobby. We will meet in the lobby early to board buses to take us out to trail heads each morning [Friday, Saturday, and Sunday] for a guided 1-2 hour hike into bear habitat interpreted by bear biologists, returning to the hotels around noon. Lunch will be served in the conference suite [except for one where delegates can try Banff cuisine]. We will meet at the conference suite for or after lunch for afternoon species-specific workshops for problem-solving sessions lead by some of our captive bear experts. Delegates are asked to bring questions, photos, and other support materials of their current enclosures and husbandry issues to share with the delegates for discussion. Workshops will cater specifically to zoos, sanctuaries, and rehabilitation facilities. Dinner will be served at the conference suite [except for two where delegates can try Banff cuisine]. We will meet after dinner in the conference suite for evening presentations given by species specific bear biologists focusing on how wild bears use their habitat. In the large lobby attached to our conference suite we will offer registration, poster presentations, the silent auction, and the Bear Book and Art Den. Delegates are asked to present their latest work in poster presentations. The Bear Care Group is beginning a new tradition of presenting awards recognizing caregivers for their presentations and hard work.

Post Conference Trips: We are aware that some delegates need to be back to work after the weekend, but others can stay to sightsee. We are thrilled to announce that we will offer a three day trip into the interior of British Columbia to visit the wonderful Northern Lights Wildlife Society <a href="http://www.wildlifeshelter.com/">http://www.wildlifeshelter.com/</a> near the town of Smithers <a href="http://www.tourismsmithers.com/">http://www.tourismsmithers.com/</a>.  We will travel there from Calgary by bus or air, stay over night in Smithers, visit the rehabilitation facility for one day, and travel back to Calgary (or delegates can travel onto Vancouver or other destinations) on the third day. The Northern Lights Wildlife Society is distinguished by rehabilitating for release both American black bears and grizzly bears. Travel plans will be made as delegates express interest in the trip during conference registration. The trip is tentatively set for Tuesday, October 11th to Thursday, October 13th 20011.

On Monday, October 10th we hope to offer a full day trip to the Calgary Zoo. Arrangements are still TBA.

Your Travel; Delegates should fly to the Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta, Canada <a href="http://www.visitcalgary.com/visitor-information">http://www.visitcalgary.com/visitor-information</a>. It is a destination airport from many US, European and Asian cities. From there delegates can purchase a round trip ticket to Banff with the Banff Airporter <a href="http://www.banffairporter.com/">http://www.banffairporter.com/</a> directly from the airport to the Banff Park Lodge. A special price likely around $100.00 will be negotiated with the company.

Conference Registration: You will be able to register for the conference, conference workshops, hotel, Northern Lights Wildlife Society and Calgary Zoo trips, and Banff Airporter right on this website by January 2011 at the latest.

GET CONFERENCE UPDATES
Conference updates will always be posted on the Bearcare Yahoo Group list serv http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/bearcare/ You will be able to advertise your need for roommates, rides, conference questions etc on this list serv. To join just send an email to <a href="mailto:bearcare-subscribe@yahoogroups.ca">bearcare-subscribe@yahoogroups.ca</a>.
<em><strong>Upcoming AAZK National Conferences</strong></em>

2011 - San Diego, CA - August 24-28

2012 - Syracuse, NY - September 23-27

2013 - Asheboro, NC  - Dates TBA

For information on upcoming AAZK conferences, watch the AAZK website at <a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk">www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk</a>.

<em><strong>Upcoming AZA National Conferences</strong></em>

September 12-17, 2011  - AZA 2011 Annual Conference - Hosted by Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta , GA

September 8-13, 2012 - AZA 2012 Annual Conference - Hosted by Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ

September 7-12, 2013 - AZA 2013 Annual Conference - Hosted by the Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City , MO

For info on AZA Conferences, see <a href="http://aza.org/ConfWork/AC_Intro/index.html">http://aza.org/ConfWork/AC_Intro/index.html</a>.