About this Event
2026 Minnesota Ornithologists' Union Paper Session
The 2026 MOU Paper Session will take place on Saturday, December 5, in the North Star Ballroom of the St. Paul Student Center (2017 Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota).
This year's theme Citizen Science highlights the important role that birders, volunteers, and community members play in advancing our understanding of birds and contributing to their conservation. Presenters will share how citizen science initiatives, from long-term monitoring programs to emerging technologies and collaborative research projects, are helping scientists track bird populations, study their behavior and habitats, and address conservation challenges across Minnesota and beyond.
The session will feature talks from researchers and conservationists, including projects that incorporate public participation, innovative approaches to bird monitoring, and emerging student research.
This year's keynote speaker is Matt Young, President and Founder of the Finch Research Network (FiRN), who will join us remotely via Zoom to present "From Finches to FiRN, the Crossbill Project and the Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project."
New this year, we'll also feature a panel discussion bringing together representatives from several Minnesota citizen science initiatives to share their experiences, discuss the impact of volunteer contributions, and highlight opportunities for birders to get involved in research and conservation efforts across the state.
Between presentations, attendees can enjoy the annual book sale and new silent auction, visit vendors and informational tables, and connect with fellow birders, researchers, and conservationists.
Registration & Lunch Information
Pre-registration closes at 10 PM on Thursday, December 3.
IMPORTANT: We strongly encourage attendees to pre-register if they would like a catered lunch. A limited number of lunches may be available for purchase on the day of the event, but availability and meal choices cannot be guaranteed.
Walk-in registration will still be available on the morning of the event for $16.00, but lunch will not be guaranteed for walk-in registrants.
Book Sale & Silent Auction
As in previous years, the MOU will hold its popular book sale fundraiser at the Paper Session! Attendees can browse a wide selection of bird-related books, including field guides, scientific literature, vintage and collectible editions, and other birding favorites.
New this year, we're excited to introduce a silent auction! The auction will feature a selection of special and collectible bird books, artwork, and other bird-related items. Be sure to stop by, browse the offerings, and place your bids throughout the day!
All proceeds from the book sale and silent auction will support the MOU's Savaloja grants program, helping fund avian research that we can all look forward to learning about at future Paper Sessions.
Speakers:
Keynote:
Matt Young, President and Founder of the Finch Research Network (Zoom presentation)
- From Finches to FiRN, the Crossbill Project and the Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project
Other Speakers:
Kristin Hall, Program Head, MNDNR-EWR Nongame Program; Mark Martell, retired, Citizen Scientist; Mary Lee, Environmental Specialist, MN Army National Guard
- Monitoring and Tracking Kestrels from the Arden Hills Army Training Site – An 11-year Summary
Dr. Elena West, Teaching Assistant Professor, Avian Ecologist, University of Minnesota
- Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery Project
Steve Weston, Christmas Bird Count State Coordinator, National Audubon Society
- Audubon National Christmas Bird Count
Dale Gentry, Director of Conservation, Audubon Upper Mississippi River
- Where Migrants Pause: Mapping Stopover Sites to Inform Avian Conservation in Minnesota
Citizen Science Monitoring Projects: A Panel Discussion
Elena West, Teaching Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
- Sounds of Nature Bioacoustics Research
- Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery Project
Nancy Engel, Board President, BBPMN
- Bluebird Program of Minnesota
Mags Edwards, Community Science Program Coordinator, MN DNR
- Chimney Swift Monitoring Program
Vanessa Green, Director, Twin Cities Osprey Watch
- Twin Cities Osprey Watch
Stay Tuned for Presentation Details and Full Event Agenda!
Table Exhibitors:
- Red-headed Woodpecker Project, Contact: Siah Sinclair ([email protected])
- Minnesota DNR – Wildlife Management Areas
- Audubon Upper Mississippi River, Contact: Rob Schultz ([email protected]); DJ Langefels ([email protected])
- Minnesota Master Naturalist Program, Contact: Amy Rager ([email protected])
- BirdingWithGregg.com, Contact: Gregg Severson ([email protected])
- Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, Contact: Sparky Stensaas ([email protected])
- Kollath-Stensaas Publishing and Stone Ridge Press, Contact: Sparky Stensaas ([email protected])
- Urban Bird Collective, Contact: Monica Bryand ([email protected])
- Minnesota DNR Chimney Swift Roost Monitoring Project, Contact: Mags Edwards ([email protected])
- Bluebird Program of Minnesota, Contact: Nancy Engel ([email protected])
- The Captain Perkins Project – A Great Lakes Bird Migration Initiative, Contact: Anna Peterson ([email protected])
- Minnesota Bird Coalition, Contact: Jeanine Thiele ([email protected])
- National Eagle Center, Contact: Scott Mehus ([email protected])
Looking to renew your MOU membership or make a donation? Click here.
Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
REGISTRATION, SOCIAL HOUR, BOOK SALE, SILENT AUCTION
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Opening Remarks/2027 Bird of the Year Announcement
Info: Clinton Dexter-Nienhaus, MEEd, Head Naturalist, Friends of Sax-Zim Bog
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:45 AM
Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery Project
Info: Dr. Elena West, Teaching Assistant Professor, Avian Ecologist, University of Minnesota
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Audubon National Christmas Bird Count
Info: Steve Weston, Christmas Bird Count State Coordinator, National Audubon Society
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
BREAK
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Keynote: From Finches to FiRN, the Crossbill Project and the Evening Grosbeak
Info: Matt Young, President and Founder of the Finch Research Network (Zoom presentation)
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Where Migrants Pause: Mapping Stopover Sites to Inform Avian Conservation in M
Info: Dale Gentry, Director of Conservation, Audubon Upper Mississippi River
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
LUNCH
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM
MOU BUSINESS MEETING AND AWARDS
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:15 PM
Citizen Science Monitoring Projects: A Panel Discussion
Info: #5
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:15 PM
Presentation #6
Info: Elena West, Teaching Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Sounds of Nature Bioacoustics Research
Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery Project
Nancy Engel, Board President, BBPMN
Bluebird Program of Minnesota
Margaret Edwards, Community Science Program Coordinator, MN DNR
Chimney Swift Monitoring Program
Vanessa Green, Director, Twin Cities Osprey Watch
Twin Cities Osprey Watch
🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Afternoon Snack Break & Silent Auction Winner Announcements
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM
Monitoring and Tracking Kestrels from the Arden Hills Army Training Site
Info: Kristin Hall, Program Head, MNDNR-EWR Nongame Program; Mark Martell, retired, Citizen Scientist; Mary Lee, Environmental Specialist, MN Army National Guard
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Graduate Student Research
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Event venue & nearby stays
St. Paul Student Center, Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, USA, United States
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