2026 Waterbird Society Meeting, Cape May, NJ

The 2026 Waterbird Society’s Annual Meeting will be held in Cape May, New Jersey; a perfect location for the 50th Anniversary Celebration. New Jersey Audubon Society will be the primary host at this fall migration hotspot. 

Cape May is a world-renowned birding destination at the mid-point of the Atlantic Flyway. The City of Cape May, “The Nation’s Oldest Seashore Resort,” is located at the southern tip of the Cape May Peninsula in New Jersey. The city is designated the Cape May Historic District, a National Historic Landmark due to its concentration of Victorian buildings. Cape May boasts highly rated beaches, fine dining, lodging and shopping, and birding, of course.

Participants will be within hearty walking distance of many Cape May attractions such as The Nature Conservancy’s South Cape May Meadows, Cape May Point State Park,  and grand Victorian homes, with the beach right across the street. Although the meeting is likely to keep everyone busy Tuesday through Thursday, on Friday, a boat trip with Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center, as well as a few field trips will be offered. Maps to other birding hotspots can be found on this website.

Three days of:

• Plenary presentations
• Symposia and workshops
• Fun and engaging student events to foster networking and professional development
• A welcoming community of passionate scientists and conservationists

Early Bird Registration Rates (June 15 – August 31, 2026)

Early Bird – Student : $250.00

Early Bird – Non-Student (Professional): $550.00

Regular Registration Rates (onwards from August 31 – October 15, 2026)

Regular  – Student: $300.00

Regular – Non-Student (Professional): $650.00

Registration Includes:

• 3 continental breakfasts (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
• 3 lunches (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
• 1 coffee break/day (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
• Opening Reception on Monday (hors d’oeuvres; cash bar)
• Poster session on Tuesday (hors d’oeuvres; cash bar)
• Banquet on Thursday evening (buffet dinner, cash bar)
• Friday Field Trips, TBD

Cancellation Policy: Full refund prior to August 31st.

September 1st - October 15th cancellations will be refunded registration costs minus a $50 cancellation fee.

No refunds will be provided on or after October 16th

Registration Optional Add-On: Friday Whale Watch and Research Boat Trip

Location:
South Jersey Marina
1231 Route 109

Date & Time:
Friday, November 6
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Cost:
$35per person

Important Dates

• Early Bird registration until August 31st, then regular registration rates begin.
• Utilize the lodging discount at The Grand Hotel - use ASAP while room availability lasts.
• Order T-Shirts by September 15th to guarantee pickup at the conference.
• No Refunds after October 16th

The Atlantic Marine Bird Cooperative (AMBC) will hold its Annual Meeting in the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hotel on Monday, November 2^nd, in conjunction with the Waterbird Society Meeting. You need not be a member to attend. You can add the AMBC meeting to your WBS Conference Registration in the Additional Items portion of registration, or you can register to attend ONLY the AMBC meeting. Either way the cost is $10.00.

For more information, contact Caleb Spiegel at Caleb_Spiegel@fws.gov

Since 2005, theAtlantic Marine Bird Cooperative (AMBC)has brought people together to better understand and conserve northwest Atlantic marine birds and their habitats from Florida to Atlantic Canada, through cooperative science-driven actions. Actions are facilitated through a series of active working groups which include Community Science & Marine Bird Health, Forage Fish, Marine Spatial Planning, and Seabird Colonies & Adjacent Waters. The annual AMBC meeting is a place for discussing projects, sharing ideas, and fostering productive partnerships related to northwestern Atlantic marine birds. Participants will present on recent work, convene working groups to develop plans and advance initiatives, and have an opportunity to review and discuss progress, processes and future directions of the AMBC. We are honored to meet in conjunction with the Waterbird Society's 50th meeting! Participation in the AMBC meeting and presentation symposium is open to all. AMBC has also submitted a presentation session for the WBS meeting.

About NJ Audubon

New Jersey Audubon is a privately supported, not-for profit, statewide membership organization. Founded in 1897, and one of the oldest independent Audubon societies.*

* New Jersey Audubon is an independent Audubon and is not a chapter of the National Audubon Society.  When you become member you join a vital team some 18,000 strong that is helping to preserve New Jersey's wildlife and at-risk natural habitats. Your membership provides the essential financial support we need to maintain our wildlife sanctuaries and conduct critically important programs in Conservation, Advocacy, Research and Environmental Education.

To become a member and learn more about our mission, please visit njaudubon.org.

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