2026 Spotlight Presentations
Spotlight Presentations are held at the Maumee Bay State Park Lodge from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 through Saturday, May 16.
Birding For Her: A Decade of Perspective Writing About Women in the World Birding Scene
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Presented by Bryony Angell
Date: Friday, May 8 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 80 This dynamic (ever-evolving!) presentation shares the observations Bryony has gleaned from a dozen years of research, interviews and on-the-ground time with women around the world involved in professional and recreational birding. Why are women’s stories important to tell, what do we offer birding culture that is distinct, and how are we getting the word out? about bryony
Bryony Angell writes and speaks about birding culture. Her stories focus on the human side of birding for resulting community connection and conservation impact. Her stories appear in Audubon. Org, the ABA’s Birding Magazine, BWD, The Seattle Times, and more. She’s been a guest speaker at Avistar Brazil, Cape May Spring Birding Festival, and the forthcoming 2026 Puget Sound Bird Festival. |
From Passion to Purpose: Inspiring Conservation Through Connection
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Presented by Cathy Schlott
Date: Saturday, May 9 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 80 Join Cathy for an inspiring look into the world of wildlife conservation and education at the National Aviary. As a woman working for decades in this important field, she has seen firsthand the power of connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to animals and the environment we share. Through creative, engaging programs, the National Aviary invites communities to discover not just the beauty of wildlife, but also their own role in protecting it. In this presentation, she will share her personal journey—how a passion for animals grew into a mission to inspire change—and explore how each of us can make a difference in building a future for our world where both people and wildlife can thrive. About cathy
Cathy Schlott is the National Aviary’s Director of Animal Programs and Experiences, where she oversees all Animal Ambassador development and educational curriculum. With decades of expertise in handling and insights into animal behavior, she develops innovative activities that connect people with animals in meaningful ways. Cathy studied Biology at the University of Pittsburgh before beginning her career working with native Pennsylvania wildlife at a rehabilitation center. She is an active member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, serving on the Behavior and Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Groups. Cathy is also a member of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, where she served several years on their Board of Directors, including a term as President. In addition to her many leadership roles, Cathy has consulted internationally with zoos and wildlife centers on animal care and training techniques, focusing on operant conditioning in order to empower animals to actively choose to participate in their own care. |
Tadoussac's River of Warblers
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Presented by Alexandre Terrigeol
Date: Sunday, May 10 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 80 This is it. They are coming. You can hear them calling from every direction as the wind picks up and the river flows. Birds are everywhere. Is it just a dream—or just another day in May at Tadoussac? Does it happen the same way every year? Can we predict when it will begin? And is it only warblers? These are the kinds of questions Alexandre will explore in this presentation, along with much more. Join us for an insight into the breathtaking spectacle of spring migration on the Côte-Nord of Québec—where science meets wonder, and every bird tells a story. About alexandre
Alexandre Terrigeol is a passionate biologist with a special love for birds—though his curiosity extends to all forms of life. As Director of the Tadoussac Bird Observatory, he leads the organization’s efforts in bird migration research and public education. When he's not seeking funding, leading field excursions, or guiding the Young Ornithologist Workshop, Alex can usually be found exploring the Côte-Nord region. His favorite warbler? The Cape May Warbler. |
Orchids and Conservation across the Great Lakes and Northeast
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Presented by Matthew Young
Date: Monday, May 11 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 80 Matthew will cover dozens of the 70+ species across the region, show great photos, talk about the most rare species and conservation needs to save them, and in general share the joy of searching for orchids. About matthew
Matt has been observing and enjoying nature since a very young age. He’s lived in Central New York for 27+ years and it was during this time when he really started studying everything from birds to orchids, and bogs and fens. Matt received his B.S. in Water Resources with a minor in Meteorology from SUNY-Oneonta and his M.S. in Ornithology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry/Syracuse University in 2003. Matt did his masters research on avian diversity in restored wetlands of central New York at the Great Swamp Conservancy. He was a Regional Editor of the Kingbird for 10 years, the state ornithological journal in New York, was an Adjunct Professor in Environmental Studies at SUNY-Cortland, and currently teaches an Intro to Birding class for Cornell University and is a Conservation Ecologist for The Wetland Trust. He owns Young Environmental Collaboratives/Mindful Nature Expeditions, also currently guides for Sunrise Birding and Wildlife Tours, and works for the bird products industry as a Wildbird Products Specialist and Naturalist for Aspen Song Wild Bird Feed and a Global Consultant for Netvue-Birdfy feeder and nestbox camera products. Over the last 28 years he’s worked as a social worker with special needs young adults and adolescents for close to 13 years, and worked at the Cornell Lab across 15+ years where he did extensive field work for the Lab’s Cerulean and Golden-winged Warblers atlas projects, and was project lead on the Lab’s first Finch Irruptive Bird Survey for Bird Source in 1999. He was the Collections Management Leader/Audio Engineer at the Macaulay Library ~12 years where he edited sounds for several Merlin packs around the world in addition to being the lead audio engineer on guides, the Songs of the Warblers of North America, Audubon Society Voices of Hawaii’s Birds, and the Cornell Lab’s Guides to Bird Sounds, the North America Master and Essential Sets. He’s been a tour guide leader for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, written finch species accounts for breeding bird atlases and Birds of the World, and has published several papers about the Red Crossbill vocal complex including describing a new call type Type 12. He is the co-author on The Finches of United States and Canada with Lillian Stokes and is also the President and Founder of the Finch Research Network (FiRN). Lastly, he has published papers on the Spiranthes orchid complex, one about the first state find of Fragrant Ladies’ Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes odorata) on Onondaga Lake, and described a brand new species, Old Field Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes sheviakii) at 3 Rivers WMA; and is the President and Founder of the Native Orchid Conservation Network(NOCN). NOCN and SUNY-ESF have joined to start an on-going orchid restoration program. |
To Life: Jews Exploring Nature
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Presented by Joel Greenberg
Date: Tuesday, May 12 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 80 There are currently many Jewish birders and naturalists but for a variety of reasons this was not always the case. This talk will deal briefly with some of those reasons, but the heart of it will be an introduction to various Jewish people who studied natural history. In most cases being Jewish clearly affected the trajectory of their careers while for some the point is more speculative. These men and women include those who made important contributions to our understanding of such topics as Neotropical mammals, Kirtland’s Warblers, marine invertebrates, spiders, vipers, malaria and the mosquitoes who spread the disease, and desert ecology. The personal stories of these people are compelling as they balanced their fascination with natural history with the other aspects of their lives. About Joel
Joel Greenberg has spent most of his life in the Chicago area and during most of that time has been passionate about natural history, having become an active birder at the age of 12. His career has focused on environmental protection, and he has been employed by such agencies as the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, City of Chicago Department of Environment, and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. In addition, he has consulted with a myriad of organizations including the US Army Corps of Engineers and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Greenberg has written five books on nature including A Birder’s Guide to the Chicago Region (with L. Carpenter) (1999, Northern Illinois University Press) A Natural History of the Chicago Region (2002, University of Chicago Press), A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon’s Flight to Extinction (2014, Bloomsbury), and To Life: Jews Exploring Nature (with J. Winston) (Rutgers University Press, expected release May 2026). |
Birds, Brains, and Lessons from the Universe
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Presented by Emily Nichols
Date: Wednesday, May 13 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 80 "I never could have imagined the plot twist that led me to discover birds—and rediscover myself. In 2020, I survived a near-death traumatic brain injury. Although it was a sudden and sad ending to one chapter, it also marked the start of a more optimistic one." In this uplifting conversation, she will share insights from her recovery and mental health journey—supported by emerging science on the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and rewire. In times of uncertainty, birding can bring calm, clarity, and joy. Whether you’re navigating your own recovery, supporting someone else, or simply facing life’s plot twists, Emily invites you to come explore new perspective and new possibilities. About Emily
Emily Nichols is an English-Spanish bilingual writer, photographer, and Birdability Captain based in Phoenix, Arizona. She authors a Substack blog called #JustEmilyThings where she shares stories about birds, brains, and lessons from the Universe. Emily holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Her experience at McDonald’s global headquarters and the research enterprise at Arizona State University includes strategic communication, executive speechwriting, and creative media production. |
Bird Banding: An Unfolding Story of Bird Conservation
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Presented by Ryan Jacob
Date: Thursday, May 14 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 80 Along with hosting The Biggest Week In American Birding - the largest birding festival in North America - Black Swamp Bird Observatory also operates one of the largest songbird banding stations on the continent. Even during The Biggest Week, BSBO's research team is out every morning banding birds, collecting data on newly arrived migrants and those still lingering in the area. So what does bird banding tell us? How does this simple tool bring us closer to understanding the lives of birds? Join BSBO's Banding Projects Director, Ryan Jacob, for a glimpse into BSBO's research and how banding continues to shape the future of bird conservation. About Ryan
Ryan is a Toledo, Ohio native who discovered his passion for birds while working as a naturalist for the state parks and during his many seasons at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) Navarre Marsh banding station. With a background in philosophy and years of travel across North America, he not only has a wide knowledge of birds and the outdoors, but an understanding and appreciation for the natural world at large. Ryan manages BSBO’s Navarre Marsh passerine banding research station, working with a team of volunteers and seasonal staff to operate this constant-effort mist netting operation during spring and fall migration. He also coordinates BSBO’s Motus and radio telemetry work, and operates BSBO’s MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) stations. Ryan is a North American Banding Council certified bander and trainer. |
Birding and Ecoliteracy: Unlocking Nature's Warnings Through Birding
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Presented by Nicole Jackson
Date: Friday, May 15 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 80 The birds we love to watch are sending us vital messages about the state of our world. Why are some species disappearing? Why are others arriving earlier each spring? In this talk, we'll learn the language of ecoliteracy, using birds as our key indicators to understand environmental shifts. Learn how to listen to their stories and become a more informed and impactful advocate for the natural world. About Nicole
Get ready to see the outdoors through new eyes with Nicole! A Cleveland native, Nicole is passionate and dedicated to bridging the gap between people and the natural world. With a profound belief in nature's power to inspire awe, foster wellness, and impart wisdom, she has dedicated her career to creating inclusive and accessible pathways for everyone to connect with the outdoors. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Education & Interpretation from The Ohio State University and a boundless sense of wonder, Nicole is a leading voice in making the natural world welcoming for all. She’s a national co-organizer of Black Birders Week and the founder of Black in National Parks Week, initiatives that are breaking down barriers and filling the trails with joy, STEM education, and diversity. Ever wondered how to get kids genuinely excited about birds or a walk in the woods? Nicole co-created an engaging course with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology called "Let’s Go Outside! How to Connect Kids with Birds and Nature" to show adult mentors how. She channels her visionary leadership as the founder and CEO of N Her Nature LLC, a nature coaching business for that empowers Black women to harness the restorative power of the outdoors for improved mental health and personal growth. She continues to be a dynamic force—volunteering, teaching, and inspiring countless individuals to discover the wonder right outside their doors. Think of her as your ultimate nature hype-woman, here to help you find awe in every leaf, birdsong, and sunset. |
Birding: An Epic Comic Book we get to Live
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Presented by Killian Sullivan
Date: Saturday, May 16 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maumee Bay Lodge, Starboard Navigator Room Fee: $10 Registration Required: Yes Capacity: 50 POW! What if birding were a comic book full of origin stories, epic quests, elusive nemeses, and unexpected superpowers? Killian shares his journey to 700 US species and ABA's Young Birder of the Year as a graphic novel come to life. His path has been shaped by mentors, friends, and a birding community who have taught, inspired, and challenged him. Killian’s story shows how birding is more than a hobby – it is a shared adventure where every birder writes their own heroic story. About Killian
Killian is a 13-year-old birder from Columbus, Ohio. His birding passion began with a Steller’s Jay in Lake Tahoe and his love for birds continues to grow each day. Birding complements his love for travel, adventure, and rock climbing. His favorite destinations are southeast Arizona, New Jersey’s Cape May, and any pelagic. At home, he loves observing one of his favorite birds – the Carolina Wren. Killian was recently recognized as Young Birder of the Year by the American Birding Association and is perhaps the youngest birder to see 700 species in the United States. |