{"id":652,"date":"2025-12-22T09:06:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T15:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/2025-annual-conference\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T15:05:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T20:05:02","slug":"2026-regional-conference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/chapter-meetings\/2026-regional-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Regional Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5ad41a59 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a37a35e52ed1\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a37a35e52ed1\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/insta-post-green-2-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Graphic shows the dates and logo for the Great Lakes meeting.\" class=\"wp-image-871 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/insta-post-green-2-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/insta-post-green-2-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/insta-post-green-2-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/insta-post-green-2-300x375.png 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/insta-post-green-2.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons has-secondary-background-color has-background is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/flyer1-GL.png\">Download Meeting Flyer<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meeting Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">April 10-12, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Great Lakes\/Midwest regional chapter meeting will bring together students, researchers, educators and practitioners from the region. The meeting offers an excellent opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate ecology students to present their research in all ecology-related topics, and for professionals to network with regional colleagues, potential employers and\/or employees. <strong>All those studying, teaching and practicing ecology are welcome!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons has-secondary-background-color has-background is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/chapter-meetings\/2026-regional-conference\/overalll-meeting-schedule\/\">Overall Meeting Schedule<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons has-secondary-background-color has-background is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/04\/GL-ESA-PROGRAM-2026-draft-7-final.pdf\">Full Program<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Keynote Speech<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\"><em>At the Crossroads: A Holocene Perspective on Environmental Change, Climate, and Culture in the Great Lakes Region<\/em><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\"><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Albert E. Fulton II<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/04\/Albert-E.-Fulton-II-Ph.D.-1-8-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-995 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/04\/Albert-E.-Fulton-II-Ph.D.-1-8-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/04\/Albert-E.-Fulton-II-Ph.D.-1-8-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/04\/Albert-E.-Fulton-II-Ph.D.-1-8-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/04\/Albert-E.-Fulton-II-Ph.D.-1-8-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/04\/Albert-E.-Fulton-II-Ph.D.-1-8-300x400.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/04\/Albert-E.-Fulton-II-Ph.D.-1-8-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Albert Fulton, Ph.D. is an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology and an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Environment and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo (SUNY). He runs the Quaternary Paleoecology and Pollen Analysis Laboratory (QPPAL) where he conducts research on paleoenvironmental change within the Great Lakes and Northeast regions of North America over the last 20,000 years. Dr. Fulton\u2019s primary research interest centers on reconstructing the dynamic impacts of Holocene climate change and humans on the region\u2019s natural and cultural landscapes. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography with a specialization in Quaternary paleoecology from Michigan State University (2019) and was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant for his Ph.D. research on past human impacts on the vegetation of Upstate New York. He has published research in journals including <em>Annals of the American Association of Geographers<\/em>, <em>Quaternary Research<\/em>, <em>Vegetation History and Archaeobotany<\/em>, <em>The Holocene<\/em>, and <em>Transactions of the American Philosophical Society<\/em>.<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/01\/GL_Follow-us-on-social-media-1024x512.png\" alt=\"A graphic which reads, follow us on social media.  It includes a QR code to Facebook and Instagram. \" class=\"wp-image-750 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/01\/GL_Follow-us-on-social-media-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/01\/GL_Follow-us-on-social-media-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/01\/GL_Follow-us-on-social-media-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/01\/GL_Follow-us-on-social-media-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/01\/GL_Follow-us-on-social-media-2048x1024.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bcc66be2 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9790f0ff wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Abstract Submission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The theme of the Great Lakes Regional Conference is <strong><em>Great Lakes Ecology: Where Everything Meets.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0We welcome submissions on all research in, and applications of, ecology, including allied sciences. Students, practitioners and educators are strongly encouraged to submit to share their work. All we ask is that the submissions be written in clear English and show either quantitative or qualitative results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note that, due to space and time constraints, we may not be able to honor all preferences for a presentation format (talk or poster), though we will do our best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Student submissions will be automatically included in consideration for our awards \u2013 including best undergraduate student talk, best undergraduate student poster, best graduate student talk and best graduate student poster.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Abstract submission closed on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hotel Block<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A block of rooms have been reserved at the Cleveland Crown Plaza at a rate of $137 per night. Please make your reservations online at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ihg.com\/redirect?path=asearch&amp;brandCode=CP&amp;localeCode=en&amp;regionCode=1&amp;hotelCode=CLEPS&amp;checkInDate=10&amp;checkInMonthYear=032026&amp;checkOutDate=12&amp;checkOutMonthYear=032026&amp;rateCode=6CBARC&amp;_PMID=99801505&amp;GPC=ESA&amp;cn=no&amp;adjustMonth=false&amp;showApp=true&amp;monthIndex=00\">CSU Great Lakes<\/a>. Reservations must be made by March 20th for the preferred rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other nearby hotes are available <a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/chapter-meetings\/2026-regional-conference\/hotel-block-csu-map\/\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons has-secondary-background-color has-background is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-secondary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/chapter-meetings\/2026-regional-conference\/field-trips\/\">2026 Field Trip Information<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Registration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"482\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-04-GL.png\" alt=\"An image of a data table...\" class=\"wp-image-830 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-04-GL.png 482w, https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-04-GL-300x130.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 482px) 100vw, 482px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons has-custom-font-size has-secondary-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1c2547d0 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-secondary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-text-align-center has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/eservices.esa.org\/gl2026\">Registration is now closed. Please register onsite. <\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tabletop Exhibit $500<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Display and promote your products, services, technology, equipment and literature on Saturday, April 11th\u00a0at Cleveland State University. $500 includes a tabletop display on Saturday and 1 full registration that includes the Friday evening social, Saturday program, morning refreshments, lunch and the Sunday field trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tabletop Exhibits and Awards Sponsorship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Contact Wendy Ashburn at <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"mailto:exhibits@esa.org\">exhibits@esa.org<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"tel:12404164227\">240-416-4227<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Book Share<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NEW for 2026 \u2013 an expanded book exchange table!!If you have ecology related books that you are ready to let go of and would love to see them go to a good home, bring them to our regional meeting!\u00a0 We\u2019ll have a free exchange table that anyone can drop off or pick up books from. *If any of your books are left at the end of the day, please take them home with you!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Awards Sponsor $500<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be recognized as the Awards Sponsor at the Keynote Address on Saturday. This sponsorship supports the presentation winner selected from submissions received on all research and applications of ecology and show quantitative and qualitative results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meeting Schedule April 10-12, 2026 The Great Lakes\/Midwest regional chapter meeting will bring together students, researchers, educators and practitioners from the region. The meeting offers an excellent opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate ecology students to present their research in all ecology-related topics, and for professionals to network with regional colleagues, potential employers and\/or employees. All those studying, teaching and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":29,"parent":159,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-652","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=652"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/652\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1039,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/652\/revisions\/1039"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/159"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/greatlakes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}