Join us at the 2026 Annual Conference, to be held on April 25, 2026, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm in Warsaw, NY.
This year’s theme is “Bluebirds & Other Wonders.” Our spring conference provides bluebird stewards with current information at the beginning of the nesting season, when most monitoring begins.
It all starts with an Early Morning Birdwalk at 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. led by our local bird and nature enthusiast, Hans Kunze. The day features educational presentations, displays, a catered on-site lunch, and an opportunity to learn and share information about the Eastern Bluebird and nature with other bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Venues
Hans Kunze Birdwalk – 6340 LaGrange Rd., Wyoming, NY 14591 (a 10-minute drive from the conference location).
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County – 36 Center Street, Suite B, Warsaw, NY 14569
Our Speakers
Julie Zickefoose
Julie will be presenting “Have You Ever Wondered? What I’ve Learned in 40 Years of Bluebirding”. Julie lives and works quietly on an 80-acre wildlife sanctuary in the back country of Whipple, Ohio. Her credits include being an All Things Considered commentator for five years, 37 years of contributing to Bird Watcher’s Digest, Advising Editor for BWD, illustrated books* including The Bluebird Effect, Natural Gardening for Birds, Letters from Eden, Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into the Nest, and Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-Luck Jay. Her most recent book is Birdwatching for Dummies. Odd, arcane, and occasionally astonishing, her presentation is for those who faithfully monitor and manage nestboxes for bluebirds. Full of hard-won bluebird wisdom. Autographed books will be available for sale.
Matt Nusstein
Environmental Educator at Letchworth’s Humphrey Nature Center will present “Letchworth State Park – A Natural Wonder and All It Has to Offer.” Matt also gives talks on natural world topics, such as ‘Our Changing Forests.’ He is involved in many educational programs at the park, including an event to hang maple taps as part of the park’s maple syrup production activities, celebrating 100 years of New York State Parks (in 2024). Letchworth has been voted Best State Park by USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025. Letchworth Park is only 18-20 minutes away from Warsaw. Conference attendees can extend their stay (at the same group rate price) at Microtel by Wyndham and spend Sunday exploring Letchworth before heading home.
Bluebird eating native fruit – ©David Kinneer
Additional Events
We will also announce the winners of the Fran Hanes and Herman Bressler Awards and recognize the new Board Members. Come ready to learn about nature and participate in our basket raffle and trivia game.
Catered On-Site Lunch
Lunch will include a selection of wraps (with vegetarian and gluten-free options), pasta salad, fruit salad, and coleslaw. Bottled water, chips, and cookies will also be included. Advanced reservation and payment of $15.00 per person are required by April 10, 2025. Make your check payable to NYSBS, PO Box 883, Rouses Point, NY 12979-0883.
More Information
You can view the schedule and find out more information at the New York State Bluebird Society Event.
Save the date and register today!