About the Conference
Join conservation professionals from around the country in Norfolk, Virginia, for the 2012 Natural Areas Conference, hosted by the Natural Areas Association (NAA) with co-host National Association of Exotic Pest Plant Councils (NAEPPC). This year’s conference will address keeping natural areas programs relevant in today’s world and natural areas resilient in the face of change.
Don’t miss the chance to connect with and learn from others working in fields related to natural areas conservation. Special opportunities for students offer chances to make valuable connections with working professionals.
Partners
This year’s conference is being planned with the assistance of natural area professionals in the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Maritime Dunes Grasslands
About the Location
Conference Venue
Conference sessions and workshops will be held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, located in the heart of downtown Norfolk, one block from the waterfront. The Marriott is a 10-mile drive from the Norfolk International Airport and offers easy access to restaurants and attractions.
About Norfolk, Virginia
Founded in 1682, Norfolk grew up on the water, and its miles of river- and bay-front are central to many of its neighborhoods. The city’s popular logo — an elegant young mermaid, which can be spotted in outdoor sites from downtown to Ocean View — symbolizes 300 years of maritime and naval heritage and its modern reputation as a city on the move.
Attractions such as Nauticus, a science and technology center and home of the battleship USS Wisconsin; the Hampton Roads Naval Museum; and the new Cruise and Celebration Center dot Norfolk’s walkable downtown waterfront. The waterfront is also home to Town Point Park, a recently refurbished green space that houses summer festivals, fountains, walkways and tributes to the city’s naval history. Other attractions include The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Virginia Zoological Park.
In early October, average high temperatures for the area are in the low 70s and average low temperatures in the upper 50s.
Regional Natural Areas
The area’s natural beauty is close at hand. Great Dismal Swamp and the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Fisherman’s Island National Wildlife Refuges are just a few of the natural areas within easy driving distance of Norfolk.
Why Attend?
The Natural Areas Conference is an unparalleled opportunity to learn about new research, receive valuable training and make important connections with other professionals in conservation-related fields.
Research
Discover the latest research results for species and habitat management. Learn about the challenges, successes and pitfalls of conservation site management.
Stewardship & Training
Attend thought-provoking plenary sessions, symposia, workshops and hands-on field trips to natural areas and features unique to the region. This year’s conference features many specialized training opportunities, including a daylong Phragmites workshop and State and Natural Area Roundtables. NA-EPPC will be featuring dedicated tracks to sharpen the saw on invasive species management.
Networking
Share your story of conservation stewardship and learn from more than 300 of our nation’s conservation leaders. A can’t-miss opportunity to meet face-to-face with peers to share successes and to problem-solve.
Blackwater River