What is the Desert Tortoise Council Annual Meeting & Symposium?

The Desert Tortoise Council's Annual Meeting & Symposium is the organization's yearly gathering for desert tortoise research and conservation, and the 52nd edition is announced as a hybrid event — both in-person and virtual attendance options — held February 23–26, 2027, at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Choose it if you want current research, agency updates, and a chance to present or attend talks and posters; the in-person option adds a field trip and face-to-face networking, while the virtual option covers the program without travel.

Announced details for the 52nd meeting

The Council notes that the 2027 location sits close to four state boundaries and near many ongoing research projects, which shapes the field trip and the research presented.

What the program typically includes

The announced program elements are:

• A plenary address
• Invited and featured speakers
• Contributed papers and posters
• A poster session
• Awards, including Best Student Paper
• An annual business meeting
• An annual field trip
• A photo contest, plus a raffle and auction
• Symposium sponsors

Because the program is posted roughly 30 days ahead, treat the list above as the recurring structure and check the posted program for the specific 2027 schedule, session times, and presentation titles.

Who it is for

• Researchers and students presenting contributed papers or posters, or competing for the Best Student Paper award.
• Agency and conservation staff who need current science and management context.
• Members and supporters attending the annual business meeting.
• Anyone unable to travel who wants the talks through virtual attendance.

If your goal is basic species information rather than the conference, the Council's separate pages on desert tortoise biology and the laws protecting them are the better starting point.

How to take part

1. Go to the Desert Tortoise Council website and open the Annual Symposium section.
2. Read the Symposium Overview for format and logistics.
3. Watch for the program, posted about 30 days before the meeting, to decide which sessions or posters matter to you.
4. Register for in-person or virtual attendance once registration opens (the site's registration flow is handled through its own pages; check current terms there).
5. If you plan to present, prepare a contributed paper or poster and note the student award option.
6. If you are attending in person and want the field trip, plan to arrive by February 23, 2027.

Practical notes

• The meeting is in late February in Las Vegas; the field trip falls on the day before the main meeting, so in-person attendees should book travel accordingly.
• Virtual attendance is an announced option, so you do not have to travel to follow the program.
• Registration status, fees, and deadlines are not stated in the available site information — confirm them on the symposium pages before committing.
• The Council also runs an Introductory Training Course and a Health Assessment Training; those are separate from the symposium and have their own registration and waitlist status.