Keynote Speakers Throughout the Years

keynote speakers through the years

2025 Dr. Ben Mirin
Birding Without Borders: An Epic World Big Year

Noah Strycker, 32, is Associate Editor of Birding magazine and a regular contributor of photography and articles to major bird magazines and media and has published several books.  In 2015, Noah set a world Big Year record in 2015, and his book, Birding Without Borders, relates the experience.  He has studied birds around the world and also works as a naturalist guide on expedition cruises to Antarctica and Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.  He is based in Oregon, where his backyard has hosted more than 100 species of birds.

Ted is the editor of Birding magazine and has written several books on birds. He is known for his engaging talks and deep knowledge of bird behavior.

Diego is a Colombian ornithologist and birding guide. He has extensive experience studying and guiding birdwatching tours in Colombia, sharing his passion for the country’s rich avian diversity.

In 2022, the Shorebird Festival highlighted the incredible Schantz Scholars Hannah Clipp and Joel Such to present on their work and birding experiences.

Eli is a professor of biology at Houghton College and the author of The Delightful Horror of Family Birding. He combines his love for birds with storytelling, making his presentations both informative and entertaining.

Eli is a professor of biology at Houghton College and thxqe author of The Delightful Horror of Family Birding. He combines his love for birds with storytelling, making his presentations both informative and entertaining.

The Genius of Birds

Jennifer Ackerman has been writing about science and nature for three decades.  Her book, The Genius of Birds, explores the intelligence of birds.  A national bestseller, the book has been published in 15 languages and has been a finalist for several awards.  Jennifer has three previous books, including Bird by the Shore, and has appeared in National Geographic Magazine, The New York Times, Scientific American, Best American Science Writing, The Nature Reader, Best Nature Writing, Flights of Imagination: Extraordinary Writings About Birds, and The Penguin Book of the Ocean.

The Genius of Birds

Jennifer Ackerman has been writing about science and nature for three decades.  Her book, The Genius of Birds, explores the intelligence of birds.  A national bestseller, the book has been published in 15 languages and has been a finalist for several awards.  Jennifer has three previous books, including Bird by the Shore, and has appeared in National Geographic Magazine, The New York Times, Scientific American, Best American Science Writing, The Nature Reader, Best Nature Writing, Flights of Imagination: Extraordinary Writings About Birds, and The Penguin Book of the Ocean.

Connections - Range Mapping Birds and Humans to Connect Conservation
J. Drew Lahham, Master Teacher and Distinguished Alumni Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Clemson University. A birder since the age of eight, he is a is an active member on several conservation boards. A self-identified “ornibirderthologist,” Dr. Lahham teaches intensive bird conservation workshops in the Palmetto Pro Birder series for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. Drew is a widely published nature writer and poet whose most recent works speak to his passion for connecting head to heart with word art.
Owl, A Year in the Life of North American Owls
Paul Bannick is an award-winning wildlife photographer specializing in the natural history of North America with a focus on birds and habitat. Coupling his love of the outdoors with his skill as a photographer, he creates images that foster the intimacy between viewer and subject, inspiring education and conservation. Paul is both the author and photographer of two books, Owl: A Year in The Lives of North American Owls (Braided River) and The Owl and The Woodpecker, Encounters with North America’s Most Iconic Birds(Mountaineers).
Birds on the Wind
Kevin Karlson, accomplished birder, professional tour leader and wildlife photographer who has published several books and many bird and nature related articles for magazines and journals over the last 20 years; and Dale Rosselet vice president for education for New Jersey Audubon and oversees the statewide public and school-based education programs, and author of many natural history curriculum guides and books.
1001 Secrets Every Birder Should Know
Paul Bannick is an award-winning wildlife photographer specializing in the natural history of North America with a focus on birds and habitat. Coupling his love of the outdoors with his skill as a photographer, he creates images that foster the intimacy between viewer and subject, inspiring education and conservation. Paul is both the author and photographer of two books, Owl: A Year in The Lives of North American Owls (Braided River) and The Owl and The Woodpecker, Encounters with North America’s Most Iconic Birds(Mountaineers).
How Birds Do It
Dr. David M. Bird, Professor of Wildlife Biology and director of the Avian Science and Conservation Centre of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dr. Bird has published over 200 scientific papers on birds of prey.
The Perils and Pitfalls of Birding
Bill Thompson III, Editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest and the author of 18 books about birds, including his most recent, “The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America.” He writes the Bill of the Birds blog and creates a regular podcast for bird watchers called This Birding Life.
Birding Together: How Birding Can Save Your Life, and Maybe, Just Maybe, Save the World

Jeff Gordon, President, American Birding Association

Cranes of the World: Biology, Statutes, Threats & Conservation Efforts

Dr. George Archibald, cofounder of the International Crane Foundation, considered one of the world’s leading authorities on cranes, well known in conservation circles for his efforts with cranes and has accumulated numerous awards and recognitions for his work from international conservation organizations and from royalty.

The View from Lazy Point

Carl Safina, founder of The Blue Ocean Institute, recipient of many awards for his books about the natural world including Eye of the Albatross and Song for a Blue Ocean, and a Guggenheim Fellowship for The View from Lazy Point.

Ocean Nomads, the Albatrosses

Peter Harrison, Editor and Illustrator of Seabirds, An Identification Guide, author and photographer of Seabirds of the World, Co-founder of Zegrahm Ecological Expeditions.

Celebrating Birds in Culture

Paul Baicich, consultant to the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Birding Initiative program, co-editor of the Lane Field Guides series and Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings, former editor of the American Birding Association’s magazine, Birding.

The Boy Who Ate Too Much – A Yupik Story

Jack Dalton, founder of Raven Feathers & the Wind, professional storyteller, writer and teacher, his CDs, DVDs and books celebrate his Yup’ik heritage. Jack has been honored by the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education as a Distinguished Dignitary.

Birding: Present and Future

Richard Crossley, birder, photographer, co-editor of the Shorebird Guide, author of the Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds, winner of the 2011 PROSE Award for Excellence in Reference Works.

The Family that Birds Together

John Acorn, Canadian television personality and creator/host of Acorn, the Nature Nut, author of many books on birds and bugs and the natural world, singer, songwriter with many CDs and DVDs about nature, lecturer at the University of Alberta, research associate at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, research associate at the E. H. Strickland Entomology Museum.

Ravens, the Wolf Birds

Bernd Heinrich, Professor Emeritus of Biology, University of Vermont, author of numerous award winning books including Mind of the Raven and Winter World.

Return to Wild America, Searching for a Continent’s Natural Soul

Scott Weidensaul, author of more than two dozen books including Living on the Wind, a 1999 Pulitzer Prize finalist, lectures widely on wildlife and environmental topics, active field research, specializing in birds of prey and hummingbirds.

On Golden Wings
Photography of Birds
Waterfowl of North America
The Future of Birds

Peter Stangle, Southeast Regional Director National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Director of Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Initiative, Partners in Flight program.

Jewels of the Forest

Jack Jeffrey, US Fish & Wildlife Service Hawaii, photographer and conservationist, worked to benefit Hawaiian forestlands and endangered and threatened species, his photos have appeared in Audubon, Smithsonian, Time, and Life.

The Fabulous World of Birds

Don and Lillian Stokes, authorities and educators of birding, creators and hosts of the first birdwatching TV shows on national television: “Stokes Birds at Home” and “Bird Watching Workshop with Don and Lillian Stokes”, authors of 32 books including Stokes Field Guide to Birds.

Seven Years and Seven Continents

Peter Harrison, Editor and Illustrator of Seabirds, an Identification Guide, author and photographer of Seabirds of the World, Co-founder of Zegrahm Ecological Expeditions.

Great Travelers: Birds and Humans

Kenn Kaufman, author of Kingbird Highway, Lives of North American Birds, and other books and field guides including Peterson Field Guide to Advanced Birding, contributing editor to Birder’s World and Birdwatcher’s Digest.

Birding Basic, Behavior and Biology

Dr. Dennis Paulson, Zoologist and Author of Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest and many publications on biodiversity and biology of dragonflies and birds. Director Emeritus, Slater Museum of Natural History.

Early Days of Ornithology, Audubon and Wilson

Dr. Dennis Paulson, Zoologist and Author of Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest and many publications on biodiversity and biology of dragonflies and birds. Director Emeritus, Slater Museum of Natural History.

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network: International Wetland Preservation and Shorebird Migration

Dr. Dennis Paulson, Zoologist and Author of Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest and many publications on biodiversity and biology of dragonflies and birds. Director Emeritus, Slater Museum of Natural History.

Relating Motherhood to Bird Migration

Dr. Dennis Paulson, Zoologist and Author of Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest and many publications on biodiversity and biology of dragonflies and birds. Director Emeritus, Slater Museum of Natural History.