<strong><em></em></strong>

<strong>August 14-17, 2011 -  <em>The 9th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles.</em></strong> To be held in Orlando, Florida. The meeting is co-hosted by the Turtle Survival Alliance and the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG), and is sponsored by Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc., The Orianne Society and the Turtle Conservancy. The meeting, which has hosted an average of more than 200 attendees over the past five years, represents the largest gathering of non-marine turtle biologists in the world and provides an unmatched opportunity for networking and strategizing turtle conservation. Last year’s conference was filled with presentations by biologists and conservationists from more than 20 countries covering 50+ species. Visit <a href="http://www.turtlesurvival.org">http://www.turtlesurvival.org</a> for more information and to register. Early registration discounts end on July 8, so don’t delay!

This year we are honored to have Whit Gibbons from the Savannah River Ecology Lab and Dick Vogt from the National Institute of Amazonian Research in Brazil as featured speakers in a program that includes presentations from around the world. Join us for reports on new turtle conservation programs in South America, updates from on-going programs in India, Australia, and Malaysia (to name a few), more news on Asian chelonians, North American box turtles and a special session on the Role of Zoos in Chelonian Conservation that will illustrate current research methods and trends.

While you're making your plans, don't forget to book your room with our host, the Rosen Plaza Hotel. Book through the TSA link to receive discounted conference rates on your room - which includes a voucher for free breakfast each morning! (<a href="http://www.turtlesurvival.org/get-involved/2011-conference/conference-hotel">http://www.turtlesurvival.org/get-involved/2011-conference/conference-hotel</a>).

<strong>August 24-28, 2011 - <em>AAZK National Conference</em>.</strong> In San Diego, CA.  Hosted by the Sand Diego AAZK Chapter and the Zoological Society of San Diego.  See <a href="http://sdaazk.com">http://sdaazk.com</a> for information.

<strong>September 19-22, 2011 - <em>Elephant Care Workshop - a practical workshop on elephant foot care and habitat design to support elephant health</em></strong><em> </em>- To be held at the Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ. Optional post-trip to Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. Workshop cost $200, additional $35 for Reid Park trip.  Fees payable at registration so please bring cash, check or money order with you.  Limited to 25 participants, preference given to elephant caregivers.  To pre-register contact Heather Wright, Elephant Manager, Phoenix Zoo, by calling (602) 273-1341 ext. 7626 or email <a href="mailto:hwright@thephxzoo.com">hwright@thephxzoo.com</a>.

<strong></strong>

<strong>October 1-5, 2011  -<em> 30th Annual Conference of the Association of Zoological Horticulture (AZH)</em></strong>.  Hosted by the Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, KS.  Theme: "Bringing the World to the Plains" at Wichita Hyatt Regency Hotel. Seminars and workshops covering a wide range of topics involving Horticulture, Integrated Pest Management, Conservation and Exhibit Design will be presented. Participants within the Horticulture, Arboriculture and Grounds Maintenance fields are encouraged to attend. For more information call 316-266-8313, 316-266-8314 or visit <a href="http://AZH.org">AZH.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>October 6-9, 2011 - <em>32nd Annual Elephant Managers Association Conference</em></strong> - Hosted by the Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester, NY.  The pre-conference trip will be hosted by Lion Country Safari in Cambridge, Ontario on Wednesday, October 5th (Passport needed to participate in this trip).

<strong>November 8-11, 2011 -<em>4th Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Program Workshop</em> </strong>- Hosted by the North American Tree Kangaroo SSP and Woodland Park Zoo. This International Workshop will be held at the Woodland Park Zoo and host delegates from around the world including special guest Danny Samandingke, Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) Education Coordinator in Papua New Guinea.  Registration is $125 and is open to all interested individuals. For more information contact Jacque Blessington at: <a href="mailto:Jacsprat65@aol.com">Jacsprat65@aol.com</a> or call: 816-513-5700.

<strong>December 5-9, 2011 - <em>Training And Enrichment Workshop for Zoo Animals. </em></strong>Hosted by The Oakland Zoo, Oakland, CA.<em> </em>Presented  by Active Environments and The Shape of Enrichment. Instructors: Gail  Laule, Margaret Whittaker, and Valerie J. Hare. This unique five-day  workshop is designed for keepers, managers, supervisors, curators, and  veterinarians working with all species of animals held in zoos. The  workshop will present an array of topics relating to the behavioral  management approach to caring for captive animals, with focus on  environmental enrichment, positive reinforcement training techniques,  and the problem-solving process. Workshop format includes lecture,  discussion, small group projects, demonstrations, and multiple hands-on  training and enrichment opportunities with Oakland Zoo’s diverse  collection.  Skills taught are directly related to enhancing staff’s  ability to manage captive animal behavior, improve animal welfare, and  enhance the overall care and management of captive animals. The Workshop  format is designed to maximize the value for each participant and as  much as possible to address specific situations, needs, problems, and  objectives.  Be prepared to interact, share, and participate to make the  experience as useful and relevant to you as possible. For further  information contact: Active Environments, Inc., 7651 Santos Rd., Lompoc,  CA 93436; Tel: 805-737-3700; E-mail: <a href="mailto:active_environs@ix.netcom.com">active_environs@ix.netcom.com</a>.
<h2><strong>2012</strong></h2>
<strong>April 12-15, 2012 - <em>Otter Keeper Workshop </em></strong>- The 5th biennial workshop will be hosted by The Dallas World Aquarium,  Any staff working with any of the freshwater species is welcome to attend.  Topics will include: captive management issues, enrichment, training, water quality, health care, nutrition, diet, hand-raising, exhibit design, and lots of sharing of information between keepers.  Registration is $75.00.  For more information, see <a href="http://www.otterkeeperworkshop.org">www.otterkeeperworkshop.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>September 9-13, 2012 - <em>4th International Congress on Zookeeping</em> </strong>– To be held in Singapore.  Theme “Many Voices One Calling” Sponsored by Wildlife Reserves Singapore , Singapore Tourism Bureau. For information on sponsorship or exhibition opportunities email <a href="mailto:eo@aszk.org.au">eo@aszk.org.au</a>.  Check the ICZ website <a href="http://www.iczoo.org/">http://www.iczoo.org/</a> for latest news.

<strong>September 23-27,  2012 - <em>AAZK National Conference</em></strong><em> - </em>Hosted by the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo AAZK Chapter in Syracuse, NY.
<h2><strong>2013</strong></h2>
<strong>September 22-26  2013 - <em>AAZK National Conference</em></strong> - Hosted by the North Carolina Zoo and the North Carolina AAZK Chapter
<h2><em><strong>Upcoming AAZK National Conferences</strong></em></h2>
2011 - San Diego, CA - August 24-28; <a href="http://sdaazk.com">http://sdaazk.com</a>

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>.
<h2><em><strong>Upcoming AZA National Conferences</strong></em></h2>
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>.