Western Agencies Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop Wenatchee, Washington June 28 - July 1, 2004
Registration Form [PDF format] Call for Papers [PDF Format]
General Information Two hundred years ago Lewis and Clark led an expedition up the Missouri River, through the Rocky Mountains, down the Columbia River, and back again. Their journals included the first written descriptions of the sage grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. Fifty years ago the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies sanctioned a technical committee to address the management needs of these grouse species. In the intervening years, interest in the biology, behavior, status, and management of sage and sharp-tailed grouse has increased dramatically. On June 28 - July 1, 2004, the state of Washington will host the 24th biennial Western Agencies Sage and Columbian Sharp tailed Grouse Workshop in Wenatchee, Washington. The purpose of this meeting is to provide researchers, managers, and conservationists a forum to present and share current information. The workshop also will include a day-long fieldtrip to key sage and sharp-tailed grouse areas in north-central Washington. Wenatchee Wenatchee is a city of approximately 30,000 situated on the beautiful Columbia River in north-central Washington. Because of its warm and dry climate during the summer, the region is renowned for its orchards. This workshop will be at the peak of the cherry harvest and fruit should be abundant. There are also many local activities including fishing, golf, wine tasting, and hiking. Wenatchee is easy driving distance to many spectacular tourist locations including Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan, Grand Coulee Dam, and Dry Falls. The meeting venue is the Red Lion Hotel at 1225 North Wenatchee Avenue (509-663 0711 or 800-RED LION). More information can be obtained on websites for Wenatchee and Washington. Preliminary Program Date Event Monday (June 28) Registration and evening social (7:00 – 10:00 PM) Tuesday (June 29) Workshop presentations (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Evening business meeting (6:30 – 9:00 PM) Wednesday (June 30) Fieldtrip to sage grouse range along Moses Coulee and sharp-tailed grouse range on the Colville Indian Reservation (8:00 AM – 9:00 PM) Thursday (July 1) Workshop presentations (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Evening no-host bar and banquet (6:00 – 9:00 PM) The final program (with abstracts) will be distributed at the conference registration desk. Workshop Hotel The Red Lion Hotel is the site of all workshop presentations. They have reserved a block of rooms for workshop attendees at the government rate of $55.00 for single occupancy. Please contact the hotel directly and make reservations as soon as possible to guarantee your room. Mention that you are attending the 2004 Western Grouse Workshop to insure the lower rate. These rooms will not be available at the lower rate after May 28. Additional accommodations are listed below. Red Lion Hotel 1225 North Wenatchee Avenue 509-663-0711, 800-RED-LION or 800-733-5466 Rates $55 (single), $75 (double) Best Western Chieftain Inn   Comfort Inn Travelodge 1017 North Wenatchee Ave. 509-665-8585, 877-203-8585 Rate $59 for single 815 North Wenatchee Ave. 509-662-1700, 800-228-5150 Rate $65 for single 1004 North Wenatchee Ave. 509-662-8165, 800-235-8165 Rate $49 for single Travel Information Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is approximately 3 hours west of Wenatchee and Spokane International Airport is approximately 3 hours east of Wenatchee. Wenatchee also has a regional airport that is serviced by Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Red Lion Hotel provides shuttle service to and from the Wenatchee airport. Wenatchee is located on U.S. Highways 2 and 97 with easy access to Interstate 90. The conference hotel is located on the east side of Wenatchee Avenue (the main road through town) on the north side of the city. Local Interest Tours If you are looking for something special to do during the conference, the Wenatchee area has numerous options. The conference is offering the following activities hosted by Apple Country Tours, 866-459-9614): Local interest tour # 1 on June 29 (Winemaker dinner, $49 per person) – Join us in the Wenatchee Valley wine region. A delightful evening awaits you that includes dinner, wine, transportation, and designated driver. Limited seating, 6-8:00 PM. Local interest tour # 2 on June 29 (Columbia River Dinner Boat, $49 per person) – Escape to Treasure Island; a special memory awaits you. This evening includes your boat trip and dinner; you pick your favorite spot to relax. Limited seating, 6:00, 7:00, or 8:00 PM. Local interest tour # 3 on June 30 (Wenatchee Valley fieldtrip, $79 per person) – Grab your camera as you travel through the summertime aroma of the Wenatchee Valley. Sample fruits of the region and enjoy personal attention from a regional guide. Visit a local candy factory and explore the evolution of agriculture. See first hand how agriculture relates to you and your health. From tree to table, you will have the opportunity to experience the process of the cherry harvest. The trip includes lunch, cherry pie, drinks, samples, transportation, all entrance fees to activities, and a regional guide. Local interest tour # 4 on July 1 (Ohme Gardens/Leavenworth fieldtrip, $79 per person) – Visit Ohme Gardens, one of the most famous alpine gardens in America. There are winding paths throughout the 9-acre garden where visitors can view pools surrounded by beautiful trees, flowers, and alpine groundcover. Vista areas offer spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains, Columbia River, and the Wenatchee Valley. The Bavarian Village of Leavenworth has opportunities for shopping and exploring. Enjoy a picnic lunch and wine tasting. The trip includes lunch, ‘Apple Capital’ pie, drinks, samples, transportation, all entrance fees to activities, and a regional guide.