Will you be joining us at the Annual Meeting on Friday, June 6, 2025?
About the Day
Our Annual Meeting—held this year on Friday, June 6—is a special opportunity to come together as a community—board members, councilors, and special guests—to celebrate Manomet’s progress and look ahead to the future. The day begins with two distinct tracks, each with their own agenda: The Board of Trustees will begin the morning with the board meeting and then join the full group in the tent for the rest of the day. Councilors and Special Guests will begin with informal campus activities before the whole program kicks off.
Once everyone is together, we’ll hear from Board Chair Dan Sarles and President Lizzie Schueler, followed by a dynamic round of sessions covering everything from teacher learning and community engagement to the latest in coastal and bird science. We’ll wrap up the day with cocktails, good conversation, and a cookout on the bluff.
Whether you’re a longtime Trustee or new to the Manomet team, we can’t wait to share this inspiring day with you!
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA:
Breakfast 8:45am – 9:30am
HQ Kitchen
Board of Trustees Meeting 9:30am – 11:45am
HQ Classroom
COUNCILORS & SPECIAL GUESTS AGENDA:
Breakfast 9:00am – 10:00am
HQ Kitchen
Drop In: Live Bird Banding at the Lab
9:00 –10:30am | Trevor Lloyd-Evan Bird Banding Lab Patio
Get an up-close look at the science behind bird banding with Director of Landbird Conservation Evan Dalton. Stop by the patio outside the Trevor Lloyd-Evans Bird Banding Lab any time between 9:00am and 10:30am (weather permitting) to see the banding lab in action, learn how we gather data to track bird populations, and maybe even witness a bird release firsthand. A rare chance to see migration science unfold right before your eyes!
Guided Property Walk: Welcome to Manomet HQ!
9:30 – 10:30am | Meet at Trevor Lloyd-Evan Bird Banding Lab Patio
Join expert birder Lisa Schibley, North American Coordinator for the International Shorebird Survey (ISS), for a guided walk around Manomet’s stunning 40-acre coastal campus. We’ll explore trails through forest and field, scan the bluff for migrating birds, and enjoy all the signs of spring on this beautiful stretch of Cape Cod Bay. Whether you’re an avid birder or just bird-curious, this relaxing walk is a great way to experience the natural beauty of our headquarters—and maybe spot something unexpected!
Speed Science: Big Ideas in Bite-Sized Talks
10:30 – 11:45am | Small Tents, Manomet HQ Lawn
Curious about the breadth of Manomet’s work? Drop by our Speed Science tents and hear from five of our experts giving quick, dynamic talks about their latest work across the Western Hemisphere. Whether you’re interested in rivers, coasts, birds, or communities, there’s something for everyone. In just a few minutes, you’ll get a snapshot of the science and stories driving real conservation impact. It’s science, fast and fascinating.
- Anne Zegers, Sea Run Fisheries Monitoring Coordinator – River Herring Monitoring
- Evan Dalton, Director, Landbird Conservation – Landbird Science at Manomet
- Mike Molnar, Director, Coastal Zone Initiative – Developing Coastal Restoration Opportunities
- Lily Green, Science Educator and Interim Lead, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice – Equitable Engagement with Communities
- Arne Lesterhuis, Senior Shorebird Conservation Specialist – Shorebird Surveys at Wuthering Heights
COUNCILORS, SPECIAL GUESTS, & TRUSTEES:
Break
11:45 – 11:55am
What’s New on the Mudflats in Massachusetts | Under the Tent
11:55am – 12:30pm
Grab your (metaphorical) binoculars and boots and join Senior Fisheries Program Manager Emily Farr and Senior Conservation Biologist Alan Kneidel for an inside look at the latest discoveries on the tidal mudflats of New England. From tracking migratory shorebirds to working hand-in-hand with local communities and shellfish harvesters, this session will explore how Manomet’s science is shaping conservation on the ground—and in the mud. You’ll hear about new data, surprising trends, and the work we are doing to help shorebirds and shellfish thrive and to give municipalities the tools to manage the mudflats in Massachusetts and Maine.
Lunch | Under the Tent
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Annual Meeting | Under the Tent
1:30pm – 4:30pm
Welcome Remarks | Dan Sarles, Chair, Board of Trustees
1:30pm – 1:40pm
Teaching the Teachers: Expanding the Reach of Science Education
1:40pm – 2:20pm
How do we inspire the next generation of scientists and environmental stewards? We start by supporting the people who teach them. Join Kathryn Atkins, Director of the Wade Institute for Science Education, and Dr. Molly Jacobs, Manomet’s VP of Environmental Education and Outreach, for a conversation on how hands-on, inquiry-based learning is transforming science education for K -12 teachers and informal educators. Learn how this powerful partnership is scaling up impact across New England and beyond—by equipping educators with the tools, confidence, and curiosity to bring real-world science into every classroom.
President’s Address | Lizzie Schueler
2:20pm – 2:45pm
Dig Deeper: Breakout Sessions
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Attendees have the opportunity to join one of the following:
Shorebirds of Louisiana’s Wetlands
3:00pm – 3:25pm
Join Elijah Wojohn, Shorebird Conservation Biologist, for a journey into the heart of Louisiana’s rice fields, crawfish farms, and working wetlands—key stopover habitats for more than 28 species of migratory shorebirds. Learn how Elijah and the Manomet team are partnering with farmers, agencies, and land managers to turn working lands into vital waystations for shorebirds flying thousands of miles across the hemisphere while restoring soil health, air and water quality, and reducing soil erosion. From incentive programs and monitoring efforts to cattle-grazed grasslands and regional conservation strategies, this session highlights the innovative, on-the-ground work happening in the Gulf that’s making a difference for birds—and for people. Don’t miss this inspiring look at how collaboration and conservation go hand in hand in Louisiana’s dynamic wetlands.
Building a Resilient Great Green Coast
3:25pm – 3:50pm
Join Juliana Bosi de Almeida, Arne Lesterhuis, and Rob Clay from Manomet’s Flyways team for a journey to the vibrant, mangrove-lined, mudflat-rich coastlines of the Guianas and northern Brazil—the “Great Green Coast.” Discover how Manomet and our partners are advancing shorebird conservation in one of the most critical—and overlooked—regions for migratory birds in the Western Hemisphere. Learn how local engagement, habitat protection, and innovative science are helping to build resilience along this essential stretch of the Atlantic Flyway.
Resilient Brockton – Climate Education for Community Impact
3:55pm – 4:25pm
Join Clare Cunningham, Manomet’s Education Manager, for an inside look at how Resilient Brockton—a bold initiative developed along with our partner Wildlands Trust—is transforming how climate education is delivered in one of Massachusetts’ most diverse cities. Learn how outdoor learning spaces, youth leadership, and community-driven science are creating a replicable model for climate resilience and environmental stewardship in underserved communities. Discover why Manomet’s work in Brockton might just be the blueprint for the future of environmental education.
Cocktails & Cookout | On the HQ Lawn
4:30pm
We’ll cap the day off with cocktails, a cookout, and a fun chance to chat and connect on the scenic Manomet bluff overlooking Cape Cod Bay.
QUESTIONS?
We look forward to seeing you! Feel free to contact Linda Harding at lharding@manomet.org with any questions.