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JAM 2026

February 5 - February 7

Registration is officially open for the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) of the Arizona and New Mexico Chapters of The Wildlife Society and the Arizona/New Mexico Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AZ/NM AFS)!

This year’s meeting is hosted by AZ/NM AFS, with both state chapters of TWS supporting.

📅 Dates: February 5–7, 2026
📍 Location: Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, Sedona, AZ
🎯 Theme: “Staying Relevant While Managing Fish and Wildlife”

This year’s JAM will bring together biologists, managers, students, and partners from across the Southwest to share research, discuss current issues, and strengthen collaboration in fish and wildlife conservation.

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🧭 What to Expect

  • Plenary and technical sessions covering a wide range of wildlife and fisheries topics
  • Workshops and skill-building sessions
  • Student events, resume and interview support, and networking opportunities
  • Awards recognizing excellence in conservation, management, and education
  • Socials, mixers, and the beautiful red rock views of Sedona

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🎓 Thursday Workshops – February 5

We’re offering three professional development workshops before the main conference begins.

Piscicide Workshop — $20, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Learn about piscicide use in fisheries management, including application methods, compliance, and real-world case studies. Licensed applicators can earn Continuing Education (CE) credits through the Arizona and New Mexico Departments of Agriculture.

Trapping Matters Workshop — Free, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Gain a better understanding of the ecological, social, and management roles of regulated trapping. Learn communication skills, review Best Management Practices (BMPs), and participate in hands-on demonstrations.

Resume Building & Practice Interviews — Free, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Start with a short presentation on resume and interview tips, then sign up for an optional 15-minute resume review or 30-minute mock interview (available in-person or virtually). Sign-up times will be provided after registration.

👉 See the Workshop Descriptions for full details.

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📢 Call for Papers – First Call Abstracts Due December 15, 2025

Abstracts are now being accepted for oral and poster presentations.

  • Presentations: 15 minutes + 5 minutes for questions
  • Posters: up to 32″ × 44″, portrait or landscape
  • Topics: research, management, and conservation of aquatic or terrestrial species in the Southwest
  • Student awards available for both oral and poster categories

Special fisheries sessions this year include:

  • Sportfish Management in Arizona and New Mexico
  • Fish Habitat Management and Restoration in Arizona and New Mexico

For full instructions, formatting, and submission contacts, please review the First Call for Papers.

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🏆 AZTWS Awards – Nominations Now Open!

AZTWS is now accepting nominations for our 2026 Chapter Awards. These awards honor outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation, research, education, service, and leadership in Arizona.

AZTWS Award Categories:

  • Doug Morrison Award
  • Professional Service Award (Professional Wildlifer Award)
  • Conservation Award (Non-Professional)
  • Scrapping Bear Award
  • Roger Hungerford Student Award
  • Tribal Conservationist Award
  • Outstanding service to the Chapter Award
  • David E. Brown Lifetime Achievement Award

👉 Full Award Descriptions here

🗓 Nomination deadline: January 15th, 2026
📧 Submit nominations to: thomas.s.correll@usda.gov

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🏨 Registration & Lodging

Register Now: Click here to register

Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock – Room Blocks:

Booking your stay within the JAM room block directly supports the chapters and helps keep future conference costs low.

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We can’t wait to see everyone in Sedona this February! It’s always one of the best opportunities to connect with professionals and students across Arizona and New Mexico who share a passion for wildlife and fisheries conservation.

Additionally, feel free to share this information with colleagues, peers, or anyone who might be interested.

If you have any questions about registration, abstracts, or lodging, feel free to reach out by replying to this email.

See you at JAM 2026!

 

Details

Organizer

  • AZ/NM Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

Venue