Join us for The 1st Cliff Ecology Conference in Yosemite National Park
September 23-25, 2024
This conference is open to all who study biological systems along cliffs, including bats and other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, plants, lichens, fungi, mosses, and more. Our goal is to provide a venue for understanding the ecology of species specializing on vertical terrain, sharing information about sampling techniques and safe practices, and developing new collaborations.
Agenda
The agenda for the 1st Cliff Ecology Conference is a living document located here. Presentations and meals will take place at The Redwoods in Yosemite located at 8038 Chilnualna Falls Road, Wawona, CA. All meals listed in the agenda are provided to registered attendees.
Support
This meeting is made possible with the generous support of The Organization of Biological Field Stations, the Access Fund, the American Alpine Club, The Redwoods in Yosemite, Patagonia, Edelrid, Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company, and the UC Merced Natural Reserve System with additional logistical support from the Western Bat Working Group, Climbers for Bat Conservation, Farm To Crag, Raw Roots Farm, and Yosemite National Park.
Venue and Accommodations
The venue for this conference will be the University of California, Merced Yosemite Field Station located in Yosemite National Park, CA, USA. The field station is positioned near the southern entrance to the park in the community of Wawona. Low-cost dormitory-style lodging is available at the field station for 54 people. The Redwoods in Yosemite has generously donated their ballroom for our meeting which is an easy walk from any of the Yosemite Field Station lodgings. Additional lodging suggestions include the Wawona Hotel (3 miles away) and the Tenaya Lodge (7 miles away) as well as a host of vacation rental options. If you would like to request lodging at Yosemite Field Station, use this form. Lodging is dormitory-style and costs $20 per person per night for students and $40 per person per night for professionals. We will do our best to accommodate individual housing requests. You are welcome to inquire about bringing your family members.
Transportation
The nearest airport to Yosemite Field Station (7799 Chilnualna Falls Road, Wawona, CA) is Fresno Yosemite International (FAT). There is a bus from FAT to Wawona with a limited schedule (YARTS). A rental car may be a better option. Here is a rideshare list to help save money and carbon.
Fieldtrips
Join us for a field trip to Yosemite Valley on Monday September 23rd before the conference begins. Field trips are $20 per person. Both field trips will depart from Wawona around 9am and return around 4pm. A rideshare will be organized, but transportation will not be provided. Bring a sack lunch, plenty of water, layers for all day, binoculars, and sunblock. Both field trips will be somewhat rigorous, so please let us know about any accessibility issues.
Field trip #1 Systems and access: Join climbing rangers and ecologists working in cliff ecosystems to learn and share best practices and solutions for safe and effective surveys in high-angle terrain.
Field trip #2 Yosemite biota walk-about: Join Yosemite biologists on a walk-about to explore bat roosts, raptor eyrie, monkeyflower seeps, and more.
Abstract Submission
We are extending the abstract submission deadline for the 1st Cliff Ecology Conference at beautiful Yosemite National Park, California (September 23-25, 2024). If you've been wanting to contribute, but feeling the summer crunch, you still have time. The deadline is now Monday, August 5th! Submit abstracts via this form.
Notes for presenters - We are soliciting abstracts for longform talks (12 minutes) and lightning talks (5-minutes). Abstract and presentation content should address natural history & ecology; cliff ecology research; physical processes that influence cliff biota; study techniques & technologies; or threats to cliff-dwelling populations. However, additional topics may be proposed. Art exhibits may also be accepted: Please submit an abstract detailing both the relevance to the conference scope and a complete description of the proposed installation. The conference program committee will evaluate all submitted abstracts to determine suitability for the conference program.
Submitting an abstract does not guarantee a preferred presentation type or a place in the program. Decisions to accept or not accept presentations or posters are solely the responsibility of the program committee. The committee will assume the lead author has acquired appropriate approval from all co-authors prior to submitting an abstract. All presenters are expected to submit abstracts. Presenters are also expected to pay the conference registration fee. Refer to the Cliff Ecology Conference announcement for registration rates and other information.
Multiple formats for lightning talks are accepted (see examples) - there is no limit to slide number, however, 5-min time limit will be strictly enforced! Poster presenters must attend the meeting in person. Display boards will be provided. Posters should be no more than 48” by 36”, portrait or landscape. Poster presenters will be responsible for mounting their posters, attending the poster session, and dismounting their posters immediately following the poster session.
Registration
Registration is also now open. The deadline to register will be Saturday August 31st, 2024. Register here: 2024 Cliff Ecology EventBrite Registration Site. Some late registration may be accepted, but since this event will be supplied with food from a local grower, we need a head count a little early to ensure enough fresh veggies!
Support
Conference Planning Committee
Rob Schorr, Colorado State University and Climbers For Bat Conservation robert.schorr@colostate.edu
Breezy Jackson, UC Merced Yosemite and Sequoia Field Stations bjackson10@ucmerced.edu
Eric Lynch, Yosemite National Park eric_lynch@nps.gov
Roger Putnam, Truckee Meadows Community College
Artwork by Andrew Lyons-Gould
