Tennessee Biodiversity Summit

The second annual Tennessee Biodiversity Summit has been set for October 21, 2026.

This year's theme is MOVING THE CONSERVATION NEEDLE.

The exciting agenda and keynote speaker will be announced in the coming months. 

All wildlife enthusiasts, including students, researchers, and wildlife professionals, are invited to attend the Summit. Nature enthusiasts participating in this one-day summit will learn about current and past projects and research that protect the rich biodiversity of the state.  Come as a learner. Leave an educator. Continue a Legacy. 

The goals of this event are to recognize the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which strives to preserve, conserve, manage, and protect the fish and wildlife of the state and their habitats, and to recognize the work being accomplished across the state and beyond for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the citizens of Tennessee and its visitors.   

*Educational vendors will be set up during the event.

*Interested in sponsoring or becoming a speaker at the next Tennessee Biodiversity Summit? Please email Ashley Garrison.

Agenda

2026 Summit Agenda

Coming Soon

2025 Summit Agenda 

All times are CDT (Central Daylight Time)

8:00 am:  Doors Open, Continental Breakfast, Networking

9:00 am:  Welcome: Josh Campbell, TWRA Chief of Biodiversity

9:15 am:  Keynote Speaker: Roger McCoy, Director of Conservation, Finding and Enhancing Your Niche in Biodiversity

10:00 - 10:30 am:  Break

10:30 am:  Speaker: Bo Baxter, Director of Conservation Fisheries,  A 35 Year Love Affair, Propagation and Reintroduction of Tennessee’s Imperiled Fishes

11:00 am:  Speaker: Dr. David Aborn, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Migrating Into The Future Of Bird Conservation In Tennessee

11:30 am: Speaker: Dr. Matthew Niemiller, University of Alabama, Championing Amphibians and Cheering for Hellbenders 

12:00 - 1:15 pm:  Lunch and Special Announcement: Josh Campbell, TWRA Chief of Biodiversity 

1:15 pm: Speaker: Dr. Emma Willcox, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Up to “Bat” for the Tri-colored

1:45 pm: Speaker: Parker Hildreth, TWRA, The Crayfish of Tennessee

2:15 - 2:30 pm:  Break

2:30 pm:  Speaker: Brittany Bajo-Walker, TWRA, A Bowl! A Button! A Bivalve! Tracing the Historical Uses and Ecological Value of Tennessee's Freshwater Mussels

3:00 pm:  Speaker Josh Campbell: Chief of Biodiversity, TWRA, Securing the Future, Tennessee’s STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN

3:30 pm:  Closing Remarks and Adjourn

Speakers

Coming Soon

Sponsors

*Interested in Becoming a Sponsor? Contact Ashley Garrison.

Golden Eagle Sponsorship Level

The Greg A. Vital Center for Natural Resources and Conservation (VCNRC) at Cleveland State Community College houses the Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, and Agriculture programs. The aim of the center is to provide students with a quality education while affording them opportunities to attain real world experience in their chosen field. The VCNRC employs innovative classes and state of the art technology to immerse students in their field of study. The VCNRC is unique at the community college level in Tennessee and produces well trained students who have transferred to senior institutions and then gone on to work for many different state, federal, and private organizations across the United States.

Silver Haired Bat Sponsorship Level

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation includes several divisions including the  Division of Natural Areas (DNA) and Tennessee State Parks. The DNA is dedicated to the protection and proper management of native plants, animals, and natural communities across Tennessee. Along with managing a state-wide system of natural areas, the DNA is a lead authority regarding the location and ecology of Tennessee’s rare species.

The Tennessee Valley Authority TVA’s mission is simple, in a sense: to serve the people of the Valley region. The TVA works in three main areas including energy, environmental stewardship, and economic development. 

Bronze Darter Sponsorship Level

Registration and Meals

Registration

Nonrefundable

General admission includes a light breakfast, lunch, and a snack: $50.00

Student admission includes a light breakfast, lunch, and a snack: $25.00

Registration WITHOUT LUNCH can be purchased at the event.

Meals

Participants are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. 

Participants can receive a light breakfast of pastries, coffee, a boxed lunch (wrap choice, salad, chips, cookie, and beverage), and an afternoon snack.

Other dining options include purchasing from several Union Building choices. 

Location and Parking

Location

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Grand Ballroom in the Student Unions Building
Address: 1768 MTSU Blvd,
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Rutherford Parking Lot: 35.845732678340035, -86.3514592823737

Parking

Participants will park for free in the designated Rutherford Parking Lot. Shuttle buses to the Student Union Building are available one (1) hour before the event and one (1) hour after. All bus shuttles are ADA-compliant. 

Handicapped parking is available outside the Rutherford parking lot in designated handicapped spaces near the Student Unions Building.  All visitors parking outside of the Rutherford parking lot are required to obtain a permit from the Parking and Transportation Services Office at 205 City View Dr. Parking outside of the Rutherford parking lot is $2.00 per day.