Greetings Master Naturalists!
Attached, please find the long-awaited and much-anticipated Schedule of Events for BioBlast `25! Thank you for your patience on this. We are VERY excited about this year's event! In addition to a full, buffet meal being served on Friday evening (thanks to your feedback), we will have a full slate of presentations, one stand-alone field trip, three field trips associated with presentations, and a star-party on Saturday. We also have FOUR outdoor events scheduled for Sunday morning! It is going to be great! Click on "BioBlast Schedule of Events" at the bottom of the page. This is a PDF file that you will need a PDF reader, such as Acrobat Reader, to view.
Please follow these steps for registration and to sign up for presentations and events (a two-step process):
- You MUST register for BioBlast through the AMN website (link below) first (if you have not already done so). You will need to sign in and then scroll down to the link.
- Once you have registered, you will receive an email from Sandy Moore that will contain a link to a Google Forms document that you will use to sign up for individual presentations, events and meals online, as well as noting any special dietary requests. It is very important that you complete this form so we can plan accordingly for meals and venue space-assignment for presentations.
Please be careful not to double book presentations/events as some overlap. Also keep in mind that some presentations/events have attendance limits set by the presenters/event leaders, so complete your registration and sign ups as soon as possible to avoid missing out on something you want to attend.
Also, keep in mind that you are not required to attend presentations or events during every session. So if you don't see something that appeals to you or you just would like to take a break to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute (WRI) grounds or go exploring at Petit Jean State Park, you are welcome to do so. We call this event a "Membership RETREAT & Learning Event" for a reason! You will also have free time in the evenings on Friday and Saturday, and with AMN moving the Annual Meeting out of BioBlast, lunch on Saturday will be free for visiting with friends while you dine. We will have a cash bar available on Friday and Saturday afternoon/evenings for refreshments.
And here is a teaser...I already have about half the presenters penciled-in for BioBlast `26, and am hoping that the AMN Board will decide on a date and location for next year's event at this month's Board Meeting. If that happens, I am hoping to have BioBlast `26's FULL Schedule of Events ready to hand out at this year's event! No last minute planning for next year!
Thank you for again for your patience. Emily Flora, your BioBlast Project Leader, the rest of the BioBlast Planning Team (JB, Denise, and Sandy), and I look forward to seeing you at WRI in October!
John Sommer
BioBlast Program Coordinator |