Waterfowl Conservation Workshop 2020

The Waterfowl Conservation Workshop is a three-day seminar for zoo and wildlife professionals and students, as well as dedicated private aviculturists managing their own waterfowl aviaries. The workshop provides a unique forum for the discussion of waterfowl husbandry, conservation, research, veterinary care, and other relevant topics.

About the Waterfowl Conservation Workshop

The first Waterfowl Conservation Workshop (WCW) was created in 2016 by Sylvan Heights Bird Park and the International Wild Waterfowl Association. The objectives of this event are to establish a network of professionals dedicated to the future of waterfowl conservation, address current concerns across the industry, bridge gaps in communication among international organizations and communities, and provide a resource from which aviculturists can draw knowledge and information about waterfowl husbandry.

The 2018 WCW consisted of two days of presentations and discussion, and one day of practical, hands-on workshops at Sylvan Heights Bird Park. WCW 2018 coincided with the 2018 International Wild Waterfowl Association Conference, which was also held in eastern North Carolina.

About WCW 2020

WCW 2020 will be held in the Netherlands, at the campus of Aeres MBO Barneveld and at Ouwehands Zoo. WCW 2020 will include speaker sessions and hands-on workshops in Barneveld and a tour at Ouwehands Zoo. A post-conference wild goose safari is optional.

Speakers at WCW 2020

• Paul Rose, Associate Lecturer at the University of Exeter / Research Associate at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, UK, will talk about the science behind waterfowl behaviour.
• Bernd Marcordes, curator at Kölner Zoo, Germany, and chair of EAZA’s Waterfowl Taxon Advisory Group will talk about the past work and future plans of the Waterfowl TAG.
• Julian Loomans, aviculturist at a new private breeding center in Belgium, will talk about the Passchendaele Waterfowl Breeding Center.
• Thijs KuikenDVM PhD DACVP, Professor of Comparative Pathology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands, will speak about Avian influenza in waterfowl.
• Nigel Jarrett, Head of Conservation Breeding at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, UK, will talk about Madagascar pochard conservation and reintroduction.
• Kevin Varekamp, aviculturist, will discuss the results of the Egg-logger project at the campus of Aeres MBO Barneveld.
• Jente Ottenburghs, Post doctoral at department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, University of Uppsala, Sweden, will talk about Waterfowl hybridisation, genetics and taxonomy.

Main Programme

Registration includes:

• Admission to the WCW2020, February 20-22 2020.
• A seat at all speaker sessions and the hands-on workshops at Aeres MBO Barneveld
• Snacks, drinks and lunch at Aeres MBO Barneveld
• Entrance zoo excursion, February 22nd 2020
• Transportation to zoo excursion

Does not include travel from airport to Barneveld and back.
Please note that main programme will start early on February 20st, please arrive on time.

Main Programma + Hotel + Transportation

Registration includes:

• Admission to the WCW2020, February 20-22 2020.
• A seat at all speaker sessions and the hands-on workshops at Aeres MBO Barneveld
• Three night stay at hotel “Mennorode Elspeet”, February 19-22 2020.
• Breakfast and diners at hotel
• Snacks, drinks and lunch at Aeres MBO Barneveld
• Transportation between hotel and Barneveld
• Entrance zoo excursion, February 22nd 2020
• Transportation between hotel and zoo, February 22, 2020

Does not include travel from airport to hotel/ Barneveld and back.
Please note that main programme will start early on February 20st, so please arrive February 19.

Post-Conference wild goose safari by touringcar

Goose sightings below sea level + birding at the island of Texel!

Registration includes:

• Admission to post-conference wildfowl safari, February 23 2020
• Full day safari incl. lunch (fish & chips), transportation by touringcar and ferry

Please note we need a minimum of 40 attendees to keep it going.

Extra night at hotel (Febr 22-23)

Registration includes:

• Extra night at hotel + breakfast

This feature is an extra service if you join the post-conference wildfowl safari on February 23rd, or if you have your return flight on February 23rd.

Ticketpoint is the official supplier of tickets for Waterfowl Conservation Workshop 2020