​Join fellow Wildlife Viewing & Nature Tourism Professionals!

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism (WVNT) Working Group, is pleased to announce the 3rd Wildlife Viewing & Nature Tourism Academy. The Academy theme is Practical Training for Practitioners. Please join us in Fort Walton Beach, Florida at the Hilton Garden Inn, February 17-21, 2020. 

What Is the Academy & Who Should Attend 

The Wildlife Viewing & Nature Tourism Academy is ​a hands-on practical training aimed at showing how to make what you do better and easier. All wildlife diversity, wildlife viewing and nature tourism professionals within state and federal agencies and associated NGOs are encouraged to attend. 

Academy Updates

Ride/Room Share Options: Click here to check out the ride/room share options.  Use this document to coordinate rides from the to local airports and to line up a room share.  ​

NOW ACCEPTING IGNITE PROPOSALS. Ignite talks provide a great platform for people to quickly share project updates, notes from the field, or other important topics that don’t require a full 20-minute presentation. By automating slide progression and condensing the talk to 5 minutes, it provides a fun platform for both the presenter and audience! Ignite proposals must be submitted by October 31, 2019 to be considered. Learn more.

ATTENDEE REGISTRATION IS OPEN. Full event registration and one day only options are available. Sign up early and save. 

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE. The Academy offers you the opportunity to make face-to-face CONNECTIONS with leaders from North America’s Fish and Wildlife Agencies and conservation groups. You’ll have ACCESS to people who need your products and services and the EXPOSURE will reinforce your brand awareness and maximize visibility in the wildlife
community. Learn how you can get involved. 

Invitation to Participate

Plans are underway to make the 3rd Wildlife Viewing & Nature Tourism Academy our best yet! Join us as we continue the exchange of information and resources among wildlife viewing and nature tourism professionals.

This Academy is unique bringing together professionals from state, federal, non-profit, and private organizations to share and discuss real-world examples, case studies, and processes for nature tourism programs and projects throughout North America. Join us to learn more about what professionals in your field are doing throughout the continent.

We are adding something new this year, so if you missed the chance to submit a full session but have a great project, case study, or idea you’d like to share, please consider submitting an Ignite session. This will be a fun, quick way to get some great new ideas and projects out there to the group. I can’t wait to hear about all of the fantastic work everyone is doing! 

As Chair of the WVNT Working Group, I feel confident you will benefit from this academy. From our keynote presentations and breakout sessions to the networking events and field trips, the days are full of high value opportunities. Make plans now to join us in Florida!

Shelly Plante
Nature Tourism Manager
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department