IECC 2021 Preliminary Program

2021 INVERTEBRATES IN EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION CONFERENCE July 27 - 31 • Tucson, Arizona Hosted by The Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group

2021 Preliminary Program Subject to Change
Tuesday, July 27	9:00am - 4:00pm	TITAG Meeting - Location: Presidio III, IV, V
	1:00pm - 4:00pm	Registration
	4:00pm - 6:00pm	Ice Breaker - Location: Santa Rita Upper Level & Balcony (Upper Level of Hotel Lobby)
Thank you to our Gold Level Sponsors:
Wednesday, July 28	6:30am - 8:30am	Registration
	1:30pm - 5:30pm	Registration
	FIELD TRIPS
	7:00am - 10:00pm	Bugs, birds, and bobcats- It’s a Biodiversity Party! (10 participants) Led by Catherine Bartlett, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Sweetwater Wetlands is teaming with life! Explore this 60 acre urban wildlife habitat and outdoor classroom, with Catherine Barelett. It is home to a plethora of species for you to find. This area is full of cattails, cottonwoods, and mesquites trees, creating plenty of diverse habitats for aquatic and terrestrial animals. Waterfowl, aquatic insects, reptiles, and an occasional mammal call this place home. If you use eBird, iNaturalist, or love the challenge of wildlife photography, this is the place for you! Sweetwater is right off I-10 in Tucson and has 2.5 miles of flat walking paths including a paved ADA accessible portion. We’ll start at 7:00am since the early eBirder gets the worm. Bring binoculars for the best experience. (No collecting)
	7:30am - 3:30pm	PAN...ACEA? THE DESERT SURE IS! (15 Participants) Led by Zack Lemann - Audubon Insectarium New Orleans Assuming the bugs missed us as much as we missed them, this trip to the canyons south of Tucson should make for a fantastic reunion. "Cactus longhorn! I missed you so much!" "Giant with too many digits at the end of your limbs! What brought you back?" To be serious: a trip for observing and collecting arthropods after monsoon rains have made the Sonoran landscape spring to life is a special treat. This will be a car caravan lead by Zack Lemann, will be making approximately three stops to a variety of habitats ranging from cactus fields to rolling hills to moderate montane terrain. If you don't see a bug that makes your heart leap, you may have contracted a disease! Details: Water and route map provided, and trip leader will have a 1st aid kit, paper towels, and toilet paper. Lunch not provided - please pack your own. Responsible collecting allowed.
	8:30 - 10:30am	Tucson Botanical Gardens (12 Participants) Enjoy Tucson’s mid-town oasis during monsoon season! A brief overview of the Gardens’ history will be followed by a tour of the Gardens led by the Horticulture Manager. Topics during the tour will include an overview of the Gardens’ integrated pest management program, bee box partnership, and soil formation. After the tour of the grounds, the Curator of the Tropical Conservatory will discuss the butterfly program, including a visit inside the greenhouse to see orchids and other tropical plants (butterflies are not present in the summer months). Following the tour, participants can then self-guide to areas of interest, and consider visiting the café and gift shop. (Conservative specimen collecting is allowed on this field trip.)
	9:00am - noon	Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (12 participants) Led by Howard Bryne, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes of one of the best attractions in the Tucson area? Join Howard Bryne, Curator Extraordinaire as he leads you through the back areas of the Sonoran Desert museum, allowing participants to see sections of the facility not open to regular guests. Be prepared to be amazed at Howard’s knowledge of herpetology, entomology, ichthyology and well as desertology. Tour will last until it is done and participants can then venture out and enjoy the rest of the museum at their own leisure. Only collecting allowed is the vast knowledge Howard will be sharing. There are two great cafés on grounds making this the perfect half day excursion for those not ready to tackle a full day field trip.
	EVENING EVENTS
	5:30pm - 9:00pm	Welcome, Keynote Presentation, and Reception Location: Presidio III, IV, V Our IECC 2021 keynote speaker is Sergio Avila! Many of you know Sergio already, as he is a good friend of the Conference. He will be sharing his projects and perspectives on wildlife conservation and social justice in the natural world. A little more about Sergio: For over twenty years, Sergio has worked on local and regional conservation efforts along the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, as a conservation scientist, wildlife researcher and facilitator of bi-national conservation projects. He has led collaborative efforts on connectivity for wildlife, habitat restoration, public education and interpretation in the U.S. southwest and northwest Mexico. For over ten years, Avila tracked and studied borderland jaguars and ocelots in Sonora and Arizona. More recently, he led efforts to protect monarch butterflies promoting pollinator gardens in Arizona, and connecting efforts with a new monarch-monitoring network in northwest Mexico. Sergio now works for the national Sierra Club in the Outdoor Activities Team. His focus is to support staff and volunteers in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Utah, with the mission to connect all people with the natural world and with the Sierra Club, by maintaining and enhancing diversified, superior, volunteer-run outdoor activities that support the Sierra Club’s conservation mission. We all know how special the Tucson area is, and we look forward to hearing about Sergio's experiences when we gather there in July!
	Thank you to our Silver Level Sponsors:


Thursday, July 29
	7:00am - 4:00pm	Registration- Registration may close during paper sessions and lunch.
	7:00am - 4:00pm	Silent Auction
	PAPER SESSIONS - Location: Presidio III, IV, V
	8:00am	Welcome and Announcements
	8:10am - 9:55am	Who We Are And What We Do Louise I. Lynch-O'Brien - University of Nebraska-Lincoln The Philosophy of Entomology Jaret Daniels - Florida Museum of Natural History Back from the brink: Collaborative conservation efforts to help save our only federally listed swallowtail Paige Howorth - San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (short) Laguna Mountains Skipper Breeding and Reintroduction Sarah Jenkins - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo An Update of the Captive Management and Reintroduction of the Salt Creek Tiger Beetle, Cicindela nevadica lincolniana Winnifred Wolfe - Bowditch Middle School (short) Eight-legged Footprints: How Spiders Impact the World Presenter Panel Discussion
	9:55am -10:15am	Announcements and Break
	10:15am - noon	Education is the Key to Success Faith J. Weeks - Towson University “A mealy-what now?” Providing middle school teachers with authentic entomology research experiences to enhance student science curriculum Charles Wallace – Arizona State University Don't Do What I Did: Mistakes to Avoid in Identification Guides Dr. Ron Wagler - The University of Texas at El Paso Incorporating the Giant Peppered Roach (Archimandrita tessellata) into your Science Classroom Miles Maxcer - The Ant Network Ants in Madagascar! \| Ants & Canopy Bootcamp 2019 Gwen Pearson - Purdue Entomology (short) InsectFestivals.org: Can we develop a common evaluation for Bug Festivals? Presenter Panel Discussion
	LUNCH
	Noon-1:30pm	COMPLIMENTARY lunch provided for conference participants
	AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
	1:30pm - 4:30pm	Sparking Curiosity and Connection Through Nature Journaling Led by -Stephanie Dole - Beetlelady LLC Location: Presidio I Nature journaling is the practice of noticing and recording observations from the natural world. It is a powerful tool that connects people to nature and natural processes. This can be especially true for nature journaling with arthropods since they are ubiquitous, easily accessible, and often misunderstood. In this workshop, Dr. Stephanie Dole (Beetlelady) will teach simple ways to get started nature journaling on your own and in the classroom. We’ll talk about tools, techniques, prompts, mindset, and lesson plans that you can bring back to your institution. Then, we will head outside and journal together in the beautiful Arizona landscape.

	ROUNDTABLE
	1:30pm - 2:30pm	Invertebrate Welfare Roundtable Facilitated by Erin Sullivan, Woodland Park Zoo and Paige Howorth, San Diego Zoo Location: Presidio III, IV, V This informal discussion will focus on applying established concepts of animal welfare to enhance the lives of invertebrates in managed care.
	2:45pm - 3:45pm	THE B.S. OF BITES AND STINGS (HOW INVERTEBRATES LOVE US) Facilitated by Ann McKenzie - MSECR, McPete Scientific, Education and Conservation Resource Location: Presidio III, IV, V A layman's medical approach to skin & body reactions to various invertebrates.
	EVENING EVENT
	7:00pm - 9:00pm	Insect Trivia and Game Night - Location: Presidio III, IV, V

Friday, July 30
	7:00am - 4:00pm	Registration-Registration may close during paper sessions and lunch.
	7:00am - 4:00pm	Silent Auction
	PAPER SESSIONS - Location: Presidio III, IV, V
	8:00am	Welcome and Announcements
	8:10am - 9:45am	Operation Critical Anita Schiller - Harris County PCT4 Biological Control Initiative What do West Nile Virus Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika Virus have in common? They’re viral infections with historic pandemics John Watts – Texas Discovery Gardens Captain Chrysalis – In Search of Acercophagus papaya Martin Feather - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 7.5 years, 85,500 hours, then came COVID Nathan Brockman – Reiman Gardens Managing Invertebrate Care Activities with Trello Presenter Panel Discussion
	9:45am - 10:05am	Announcements and Break -- Please visit the Exhibit Hall and Posters!
	10:05am - 11:20pm	Zoos Working Together Erin Sullivan - Woodland Park Zoo Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group (TITAG) Updates Jessie Sutherland - Point Defiance Zoo Safety Web for Arthropod Reproduction and Management (SWARM) Glennon Frei and Kayla Garcia, Saint Louis Zoo All Hail the Snail! A 5-year review of Partula nail (Partula nodosa) conservation and Future Possibilities Lily Maynard, PhD - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Zak Gezon - Disney's Animal Kingdom Monarch SAFE Presenter Panel Discussion
	11:20am - 12:00pm	USDA Permitting for Insect Zoos and Butterfly Houses Roundtable Facilitated by Wayne Wehling - USDA APHIS PPQ The USDA permitting round table will be an opportunity to discuss changes to permitting requirements that affect the Arthropod exhibit community in the United States. Significant new changes may be in place by conference time. This gathering is an opportunity to ask questions, get answers, and seek change.
	LUNCH
	12:00pm-1:30pm	COMPLIMENTARY lunch provided for conference participants
	AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
	1:30pm - 4:30pm	Cooking with Aquatics: How to create faux samples for distance programming about aquatic bioindicators Location: Presidio I Guiding learners through the concept of aquatic invertebrates as bioindicators is tricky in virtual settings. But then, it’s tricky under normal circumstances if the right habitats aren’t accessible. Using (mostly) edible cooking materials, participants will learn how to create faux aquatic samples for use in distance programming about aquatic invertebrates. Of course, everyone has their own tastes. Whether it’s a pinch of flour to increase turbidity, a drop of green food coloring to get things eutrophic, or a pile of pinto beans to mirror a fast-flowing stream, we will explore recipes and activities to bring aquatic entomology to participants’ doorsteps.

	ROUNDTABLES
	1:30pm - 3:30pm	US Fish and Wildlife. How can we help? Facilitated by Robert Herndon – USFWS Location: Presidio III, IV, V A round table to let folks bring issues and dialogue with USFWS on what we can do to help folks achieve their goals, while doing it legally.
	3:30pm - 4:30pm	Pollinators! What is your institution doing? Facilitated by Erin Sullivan – Woodland Park Zoo Location: Presidio III, IV, V What is your institution doing to help pollinators? Let’s share ideas and inspire each other!
	EVENING EVENT
	7:00pm - 9:00pm	Black Lighting Adventure - Catalina State Park Black lights and sheets will be set up at this amazing location to enjoy the insect life as it flies in. Please note that this event is organized at no cost to conference participants. This means that there will be no meal provided, and participants are encouraged to eat before attending. Car caravans will be coordinated via a sign up sheet in the exhibit hall, and will depart from the resort at 7pm. In case of inclimant weater, please check in at the registration desk to see if the event was cancelled or moved.
	Bronze sponsors Thank you to our Bronze Level Sponsors:



Saturday, July 31
	7:00am - 1:00pm	Registration -Registration may close during paper sessions and lunch.
	7:00am - 1:00pm	Silent Auction
	PAPER SESSIONS - Location: Presidio III, IV, V
	8:00am	Welcome and Announcements
	8:10am - 9:30am	Shiny and New—Invertebrate Facility Design Justin Dunning, Kurtis Herperger – Victoria Butterfly Gardens Inverts eh! -- Please join us in a virtual flash tour of the Victoria Butterfly Gardens and Insectarium located in beautiful Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada. This colourful tour is hosted by Justin Dunning (Living Collections Manager) and Kurtis Herperger (Gardens Manager). Amanda Lorenz - Michigan State University The Bug House at Michigan State has been serving the University and wider community for over twenty years. Founded as a space for members of the Department of Entomology to engage the public in entomological outreach, the focus of the Bug House is to increase awareness of the positive roles insects and other arthropods play in the environment and their importance to human life. This presentation will discuss the facility and current educational programs through which the Bug House engages the University and surrounding community. Dave Clark - London Zoo ZSL London Zoo’s Tiny Giants exhibit -- Our building showcasing invertebrates, originally opened as Web of Life in 1999 & then more recently called BUGS, has had a makeover. Now titled “Tiny Giants, from minibeasts to coral reefs”, all the interpretation has been renewed with some updated interactives, and due to the closure of our ancient Aquarium, we now have an 8 metre long coral reef exhibit. Join Head of Invertebrates Dave Clarke for a whistle-stop tour of the new display. Ernesto Rodriguez - El Bosque Nuevo El Bosque Nuevo Butterfly Farm Presenter Panel Discussion
	9:30am - 9:50am	Announcements and Break
	9:50am - Noon	Let's Talk About Husbandry Maia Holmes - Colorado State University Diet Matters in the Growth of Captive African White Spotted Assassin Bug (Platymeris biguttatus) Michelle Faehr - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden I Love You, Just Not in My Leaf Mold! A Guide to Nutrient Rich Leaf Mold, Without the Pesky Predators Jeremy Jensen - Thanksgiving Point The environmental conditions that leads to vinegaroon ecdysis Mary Allen - Harris County Precinct 4, Texas Biological Control Initiative More Than Fish Food: Raising Dero spp. for Aquatic Carnivores Tayler Schwartz - Disney’s Animal Kingdom Training Jumping Spiders To Follow A Target Susi Ngoi - San Diego Zoo How to Fill a Room With Spiders Presenter Panel Discussion
	WORKSHOPS
	1:30pm - 4:30pm	Starting (and Running) an Educational Podcast Led by Charles Wallace – Arizona State University Location: Presidio I Less technically demanding than video and more accessible than live events, podcasts are a powerful tool for science communication, but it can be difficult to know where and how to start. Charles Wallace is one half of independent science podcast Assigned Scientist at Bachelor’s (https://asabpodcast.com/) and in this workshop will guide you from idea to implementation, addressing questions such as: should you make a podcast? How good of a microphone do you actually need? Can you make a good podcast on a budget? How do you tailor content to your audience? Will you get sued? And more...
	1:30pm - 4:30pm	Creative Oasis Led by Georgia Blum, Lady Buggy Location: Presidio II Have you ever wanted your own pair of custom painted bug-themed shoes, but never had the time, supplies, or confidence to make them yourself? In this workshop, there will be no lecture or presentation. Just a dedicated time and space to create. You supply your white fabric/canvas item of choice such as shoes, cap, or bag, and I supply everything else you need to produce your own buggy masterpiece! There will be plenty of paints/brushes etc, plus examples and advice on techniques if you wish. Let’s spend a relaxing few hours together visiting, painting, and being inspired. No experience necessary.
	ROUNDTABLE
	1:30pm - 3:00pm	Browse/Vegetation Needs Facilitated by Julie LaTurner - Houston Zoo Location: Presidio III, IV, V Browse for invertebrates is very important, if not critical. This would be a round table to help each other with what types of browse we have been successful with and for what species. Lets share successes, surprises and challenges to supplying our collections with browse, not only for bug keeping veterans, but also for those new to the field.
	BANQUET - Location: Presidio III, IV, V
	6:00pm	Final Silent Auction bids, Cash Bar and Banquet
	9:00pm	Dancing until...?
	We are pleased to announce that the following institutions are offering free admission during the week of the conference. Just show your conference ID badge to receive admission: Reid Park Zoo, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Tohono Chul and Tucson Botanical Garden (50% discount).