Search this site

Abstract submission is now closed.


People

WDA Officers:

Charles van Riper III,
President

Lynn Creekmore,
Vice-President

Pauline Nol,
Secretary

Laurie Baeten,
Treasurer

Scott Wright,
Past President

Webmaster contact

For comments/questions about the site, please click here
Conference Home‎ > ‎

Social Activities and Field Trips

 Please check this page in early 2009 for information on social activities and field trips.

What special events are planned for the week?

Sunday - Welcome reception
Monday - Keynote presentations, picnic
Tuesday - Student presentations, auction
Wednesday - Field trips* NEW this year
Thursday - Polar Bear Club Gathering, Banquet
Friday - Symposia and special sessions*
*Please pre-register for the field trips, as well as the symposia and special sessions 

See program for specific information relating to session topics and times.

Excursions

As is customary for the WDA Conference, the afternoon of Wednesday August 5th has been set aside for conference attendees to relax, play, and experience some of the unique flavors of the conference venue. With that in mind, the WDA 2009 Conference organizers have arranged the following excursions to give attendees a taste of the Pacific Northwest. 

Please note that these excursions are optional and will require an additional ticket purchase along with general conference registration. Space is limited on some of the excursions, and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rafting

Spend an afternoon with Wild and Scenic River Tours (www.wildandscenic.com) rafting the north fork of the beautiful Nooksack River.  Its Class III/IV rapids promise an exciting (but safe) ride, while the calm waters in between provide ample opportunities for wildlife watching, fossil finding, and spectacular views of nearby Mount Baker. We’ll stop halfway for a riverside deli lunch including smoked salmon and other delicacies. No experience necessary, though you must be at least 10 years of age to participate. Bring your bathing suit, sandals, and a change of clothes! 

Cost: $75

Salmon Fishing

Join Captain Frank Dickerson of Riptide Charters (www.rtcharters.com) for an afternoon of salmon fishing on the fertile waters of the Puget Sound. Pink salmon are running this year, and we may also come across King, Sockeye, or Coho. Your catch will be cleaned and packaged on board, ready for the BBQ. With Captain Dickerson’s 15 years’ experience on Puget Sound and a limit of six fisherman on his boat, this promises to be a memorable afternoon of sun, sea, and salmon. Get your tickets early!

*A second boat has been added, and limited spots are available.  Pease email Jordan Mencher at jmencher@u.washington.edu to put your name on the list if you are interested.

Cost: $165, limited to 6 tickets.

 

Whale Watching
 
Hop aboard the 99 ton Island Explorer III for a six hour cruise around the San Juan Islands in search of orcas. Orca pods J and K are year-round residents of the waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, so chances are very good that we’ll encounter them. Our host, Island Adventures (www.island-adventures.com), is a well-established whale watching operation and a member of the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest, dedicated to research, education and responsible whale watching, so we can rest assured that our presence will have minimal impact on the whales, seals, river otters, seabirds and other wildlife we’re likely to encounter. We will be accompanied by an experienced naturalist with information and presentations to add to our experience, and to top off the afternoon we’ll be treated to a beautiful Pacific sunset on the return trip.

Cost: $95, limit 145 tickets.

Golf 

Semiahmoo Resort is home to two of Washington’s top public courses. Follow this link to the Course!

The Spa at Semiahmoo

It's all about treatments, wellness and atmosphere...this link will take you there