Welcome!

The Northern Wild Sheep and Goat Council is proud to host its 24th Biennial Symposium on Dena'ina land nestled in the Chugach Mountains along the shores of Cook Inlet at the historic Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, Alaska. This year’s theme centers on recovering populations in a changing environment, and our scientific plenary and panel discussions are designed to span the breadth of relevant topics. Through presentation and discussion of the latest research achievements and management challenges this symposium aims to address critical conservation issues to ensure the well-being of these iconic species.

The symposium will kick-off with a welcome mixer on the evening of April 29th, followed by a day of discussions, punctuated with a day of exploration on May 1st, and concludes with a final day of discussion on May 2nd. Breakfasts and lunches are included with your registration however, the Captain Cook is located in the heart of downtown Anchorage with a number of excellent cafes, restaurants, and pubs just around the corner.

Anchorage serves as an ideal gateway to the Last Frontier providing opportunity for three different field trips. The first, a bus trip up Turnagain Arm to Prince William Sound where, aboard the S.S. Glacier Quest, we will search for mountain goats among the glaciated and montane coast (May 1st). The second, a trip up the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway between the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains to the Matanuska Glacier area and spectacular Sheep Mountain in search of Dall sheep. The return trip will include a stop at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Foraging Ecology and Wildlife Nutritional Analysis (FaWNA) Lab and ungulate captive facility (May 1st). And finally, on May 3rd, a post-symposium trip to Denali National Park with multiple options for exploration.

Our dedicated planning team has worked hard to blend stimulating and insightful discussions, the wild nature of Alaska, the culture of Alaska, and most crucially, highlighting northern wild sheep and goats, creating a unique experience for all enthusiasts. Please join us in the last frontier for our 2024 symposium!

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Dale Toweill

Dale has worked as the Principal Wildlife Research Biologist, Trophy Species Manager, and Statewide Wildlife Policy Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and as Statewide Program Leader for Idaho’s “trophy species” programs. He co-authored the book, Return of Royalty: The Wild Sheep of North America, which received the international CIC Literacy Award “Prix Technique”. His professional service includes the National Research Council, the White House Advisory on National Climate Change, and Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AWFWA) representative to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Honors and awards include the American Library Association’s award for Outstanding Academic Book and The Wildlife Society’s award for the Outstanding Publication in Wildlife Ecology and Management for Elk of North America, and again for North American Elk: Ecology and Management. Dale received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation.

Wayne Heimer

Wayne has participated in the NWS&GC symposium for 50 years. During the 27 years since retiring from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Wayne has been an informed opinion writer on “stuff he’s seen” regarding the biological and human aspects of Dall sheep management. At ADF&G, Wayne spent his last five years as a state-federal management conflict analyst. Before that, he served five years in general wildlife management. During the 15 years of preparation for those assignments, Wayne worked specifically with Dall sheep, first as a researcher and eventually as a manager. His academic background includes foci on chemistry and biology followed by grad-school specialties in molecular biology and arctic environmental physiology. It was in these studies he developed an appreciation for species adaptation to environment. Wayne’s basic premise is that “Everything is caused by something,” tempered with repeated close shaves using “Occam’s Razor.” The general definition of management he offers is the result of his experiences.

Location Information

  • The Hotel Captain Cook
  • 939 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK, 99501 US
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Special hotel rates for attendees

Our council has set up a room block with a negotiated rate for conferences attendees. The block consists of Deluxe King rooms with mountain or inlet views for $169 per night. To access the room block please follow the below link or use the Group Code NWSGC24. 

Hotel Captain Cook - Room block

*As of 4/4/24 the King rooms are fully booked. There are Double bed rooms still available. You can book these rooms by calling 907-276-6000 or 800-843-1950 and providing our conference name.


Schedule

4/29 5pm–7pmWelcome Mixer

Quarter Deck

4/29 6pm–9pmRegistration

Alcove

4/30 8am–5pmSymposium Proceedings

Fore Deck

4/30 7pm–9pmPoster Session

Fore Deck

5/1 8am–5pmField Trip of choice

5/1 6:30pm–8:30pmBanquet

Aft Deck

5/2 8am–5pmSymposium Proceedings

Fore Deck

5/3 5am–After 10pmDenali Fieldtrip

Registration

Full Registration includes the Welcome Mixer April 29th and the Symposium Proceedings on April 30th and May 2nd.

The virtual meeting registration options include online attendance to the stream of the symposium proceedings. Questions and contributions can be made through the stream chat.

Events

To add an event to your experience simply click the "ADD" button. Please note that none of these events are included in the full registration. You are welcome to register additional guests to the events. To do so click the "ADD" button again to add more guests.

  • Banquet

    Banquet

    May 1st

    $100.00 ea.
  • Prince William Sound Glacier and Goat Cruise

    Prince William Sound Glacier and Goat Cruise

    May 1st

    $150.00 ea.
  • Sheep Mountain & FaWNA Lab

    Sheep Mountain & FaWNA Lab

    May 1st

    $60.00 ea.
  • Denali

    Denali

    May 3rd

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Thank you from the Northern Wild Sheep & Goat Council

We look forward to hosting you at this year's symposium

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