2026 Tennessee Biodiversity Summit Registration

Thank you for your interest in attending the Tennessee Biodiversity Summit!

Event date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Event Location: Middle Tennessee State University's Student Union Grand Ballroom, 1768 MTSU Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37132

All wildlife enthusiasts, including students, researchers, wildlife professionals, and backyard birders, are invited to attend the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's second annual Tennessee Biodiversity Summit. Those participating in this one-day summit will learn about ongoing projects committed to protecting the rich biodiversity of the state. This event aims to recognize the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which strives to preserve, conserve, manage, and protect the fish and wildlife of the state and their habitats, and to recognize the work being accomplished across the state and beyond for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the citizens of Tennessee and its visitors.

Eight dynamic speakers will deliver presentations centered around this year's theme, Moving the Needle: Wins in Conservation. Over twenty educational booths will be available to educate, answer questions, and provide actionable resources for those interested in conservation. Donations will be accepted through an event silent auction, where all proceeds directly benefit conservation in Tennessee, including the return of the Red-cockaded woodpecker and its historic habitat. Pre-event excursions are optional and require pre-registration. Limited spaces available.

A complimentary lunch is included with registration through October 1. A complimentary lunch is not available for participants registering after October 1st.

Questions: Ashley Garrison, Ashley.Garrison@tn.gov, (931) 456-3060

Name

First NameLast Name

Date of Birth

Date

Organization

Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip CodeCountry

Email

example@example.com

Phone Number

Format: (000) 000-0000.

Continuing Education Credits (CEC/CEU) (Select all that apply)

Other CEC/CEU program (write-in)

THANKS TO GENEROUS SPONSORS, EVENT FEES ARE GREATLY REDUCED.

REQUIRED: Select your Registration Type (General Admission $50 OR Student Registration $25). Students must show proof of student status upon event check-in.

OPTIONAL: Add a Red-cockaded Woodpecker conservation donation ($10, $25, $50, or $100). Learn more about the RCW return to Tennessee: https://tnswap.com/rcw/

Help support the return of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker to Tennessee. Your additional donation goes directly to RCW recovery efforts. You can add a $10, $25, $50, or $100 donation to your registration in the payment section below.

Registration & Donations

Pre-event Hike (Tuesday, October 20)

Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area — Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT. Limited to 25 participants. Join Roger McCoy, Director of Conservation and State Naturalist, and other division biologists and land managers for a tour of Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area. This natural area supports several rare plants and animals within its high-quality cedar glade and barrens community. This two-hour event includes a relatively flat hiking trail. Dress for the weather, bring water, and prepare to be awed. Exact location provided after the close of registration.Percy Priest WMA — Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT. Limited to 25 participants. Join Mark Vance, TWRA Wildlife Management Area Manager and host of Vance's Ventures, for an adventurous hike through Percy Priest Wildlife Management Area. Two-hour event with a relatively flat hike. Mixture of agricultural fields, old fallow fields, shallow ponds, on Percy Priest Lake. Dress for the weather, bring water, binoculars optional but helpful for fall migrants. Exact location provided after the close of registration.

Lunch Selection

A complimentary lunch is included with registration through October 1. A complimentary lunch is not available for participants registering after October 1st.

BUY YOUR EVENT T-SHIRT: To purchase your 2026 Tennessee Biodiversity Summit or RCW T-shirt, please visit cumberlandsignworks.com/twra_biodiversity_summit/shop/home. To ensure your T-shirt is delivered prior to the event, please order on or before September 21, 2026.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Find the complete agenda and speaker biographies at tnwildlife.org or visit the Tennessee Biodiversity Summit webpage at tn.gov/twra/wildlife/tennessee-biodiversity-summit.html. For questions, contact Ashley Garrison at Ashley.Garrison@tn.gov or (931) 456-3060.

Tennessee Biodiversity Summit 2026

Registration & Donations

Credit Card