Workshop Updates

Are you relatively new to the San Francisco Bay-Delta’s science, management, and conservation community?

Would you like to learn more about the key issues and career pathways?

Or are you willing to share your experiences and advice with newer members of the community?

If so, then the IEP Workshop’s Early Career Luncheon is a great place to start!

The Early Career Luncheon connects new and early career students and professionals with researchers, managers, and practitioners who are more familiar with the issues, priorities, and educational and professional opportunities within the Bay-Delta.

Registration

If you are interested in participating as a mentor or mentee, check out the details below and use the link to register by January 16, 2026!

• Where: IEP Workshop, California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Sacramento
• When: Monday, March 16, 12:20 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Who: about 30 (total) mentees and mentors
• Registration (both prospective mentors and mentees): IEP Workshop Early Career Luncheon

Questions

Please direct any questions to Kristi Arend or Brian Schreier (Luncheon Co-chairs) at kristin_arend@fws.gov or brian.schreier@water.ca.gov.

We want to welcome back our federal partners and let you know about an additional opportunity to participate in the 2026 annual IEP workshop. The art call is currently open and the deadline for proposals is Friday, January 16, 2026.

We are accepting proposals for ecologically-themed artwork. Read the Call for Art flyer (PDF) for more information!

Also, new this year, we will have a rotating display of photos and other digital art on the TV monitors within the lobby and 2nd floor. So, whether it’s photos from the field, or showing off your creative ecology side, we hope you will sign up to contribute! Physical artwork contributions will be displayed in the CNRA* building for attendees to view as they move between the 1st and 2nd floor meeting spaces.

How to Participate

If you are interested in participating, submit your proposal using the submission form no later than Friday, January 16, 2026.

Please share the Art flyer (PDF) with others who may be interested in showcasing their art.

Questions?

Questions may be directed to Katie Osborn (Katherine.Osborn@water.ca.gov) and Brian Schreier (Brian.Schreier@water.ca.gov).

* Disclosure - IEP and CNRA make no guarantee of safety and security for artwork pieces.

Extended Call for Abstracts for Furloughed Federal Employees

The Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) would like to welcome back our federal workers!

We understand that some of you may have been affected by the federal shutdown and were unable to submit an IEP workshop abstract by the initial deadline of October 10. We have a limited number of slots available in the program specifically reserved for federal partners.

If you are a federal employee who was furloughed during the shutdown and was unable to submit an IEP workshop proposal by the initial October 10 deadline, we welcome you to submit your proposal for consideration now. We have a limited number of oral talk and poster slots available.

If interested, complete the proposal template (Word) and email it to iep@wildlife.ca.gov and cc Adam Nanninga (Adam_Nanninga@fws.gov) no later than December 19, 2025 (6:00 p.m. PST) to be considered. Space is limited, and there is no guarantee that all proposals submitted will be accepted.

Please share this announcement with other federal partners who may be interested.

Questions can be directed to iep@wildlife.ca.gov.

REMINDER

Abstract Submissions for 2026 IEP Annual Workshop due October 10!

We are now accepting abstracts for the upcoming March 16-18, 2026 IEP Annual Workshop.

Participants wishing to present an oral presentation, poster, or lightning talk, must submit an abstract (300 words or less) summarizing their contribution. We welcome submissions from all IEP member agencies, affiliates, and stakeholders at all career levels. Preliminary work is welcome! Participants are limited to one abstract as presenting author but may be a contributing author on any number of others. If you are interested in putting a session together based on a series of selected talks make sure to include that information in the submission form. Include the names of all the presenting authors and their talk titles.

• Abstract Submission Form

The deadline for abstract submissions is October 10, 2025 at midnight. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Space to present is limited and selection is not guaranteed. All presenters (both oral and poster) must attend the workshop in person at the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) Headquarters Building in Sacramento. Registration to attend is free of charge. All oral presentations will be live streamed for remote viewers.

Abstracts will be selected based on various criteria such as relevance, originality, collaboration, career stage, and scientific merit.

Please share this announcement widely with colleagues, staff and others who may be interested. To subscribe to receive workshop announcements, visit the subscription page of the IEP website.

Contact workshop organizers Adam Nanninga (Adam_Nanninga@fws.gov) and Christine Joab (iep@wildlife.ca.gov) if you have questions.

REMINDER

Abstract Submissions for 2026 IEP Annual Workshop due October 10!

We are now accepting abstracts for the upcoming March 16-18, 2026 IEP Annual Workshop.

Participants wishing to present an oral presentation, poster, or lightning talk, must submit an abstract (300 words or less) summarizing their contribution. We welcome submissions from all IEP member agencies, affiliates, and stakeholders at all career levels. Preliminary work is welcome! Participants are limited to one abstract as presenting author but may be a contributing author on any number of others. If you are interested in putting a session together based on a series of selected talks make sure to include that information in the submission form. Include the names of all the presenting authors and their talk titles.

• Abstract Submission Form

The deadline for abstract submissions is October 10, 2025 at midnight. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Space to present is limited and selection is not guaranteed. All presenters (both oral and poster) must attend the workshop in person at the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) Headquarters Building in Sacramento. Registration to attend is free of charge. All oral presentations will be live streamed for remote viewers.

Abstracts will be selected based on various criteria such as relevance, originality, collaboration, career stage, and scientific merit.

Please share this announcement widely with colleagues, staff and others who may be interested. To subscribe to receive workshop announcements, visit the subscription page of the IEP website.

Contact workshop organizers Adam Nanninga (Adam_Nanninga@fws.gov) and Christine Joab (iep@wildlife.ca.gov) if you have questions.