2025 Annual Symposium
Living Systems, Lasting Impact: Biology Driving Sustainability
October 9-10, 2025
ULL Abdalla Hall, Lafayette, LA
HOTEL INFORMATION
A block of rooms is available again this year at the Hilton Garden Inn Lafayette/Cajundome for Symposium Attendees at the rate of $110/night. When registering online or by phone (337-291-1977), reference group code LAPBS. Register by September 17, 2025 to obtain the discounted rate.
Hilton Garden Inn Lafayette/Cajundome
2350 W Congress St
Lafayette, LA 70506
Call for Presentations
Students and professional biologists are invited to present research that is relevant to Louisiana’s natural resources. Professionals are limited to presenting posters, while undergraduate and graduate students may present either an oral or poster presentation. Abstracts (<300 words) for poster and oral presentations are due to Elliot Boudreaux (elliotb@fenstermaker.com) by 5pm on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Student Presentation Awards
LAPB will award cash prizes for First ($200) and Second ($125) place student oral presentations and student posters. Submit your abstract to have an opportunity for these and other awards!
The LA Association of Professional Biologists (LAPB) Scholarship is a competitive scholarship that awards $1,000.00 to a student(s) pursuing or planning to pursue college studies in the following curriculums: Wildlife or Fisheries Management, Forestry, Wetland Science, Marine Biology, or other closely related field.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must:
- Be a LA resident.
- Be enrolled as a full time undergraduate or graduate student in a Louisiana Public College or University in one of the curriculums stated above.
- Have graduated from an accredited high school or must have completed the 12th grade level of home study program.
- Submit two reference letters, one of which must be from a recent school teacher or counselor.
- Submit a brief statement/essay with application (less than 250 words) discussing career goals.
- Complete this application and provide all required information by September 26.
- Incoming freshman may be given preference.
Applications should be submitted to Maxwell Cox (max.cox@usda.gov).
Based on available funding and quality of applicants, more than one recipient may be chosen in any given year. Recipient(s) will be announced on the first day of the annual LAPB Fall Symposium.
Photo Contest
The LABP photography contest is open to all registered conference attendees. Winners will be chosen by attendees and awards will be given during the evening social– so make plans to attend the social!
Photography Contest Guidelines:
-
Photographs must be captured with a digital or film camera
-
Photographs must be in color or black-and-white prints, with a minimum size of 8” x 10″ and maximum size of 8” x 12”
-
Entries must be mounted on a stiff 11” x 14” black backing. Framed prints will not be accepted
-
Do not place your name or caption on photo. Place your name on the back of your backing
-
Any wildlife/biology/landscape/research, etc. type theme will be allowed.
-
There is an entry fee of $5 per photo with a maximum of 10 entries per individual.
Registration is the first day of the symposium (Thursday). Entry deadline is Thursday 12 noon.
Outstanding Publication
Nominations for Outstanding Publication Awards should be sent to Heidi Adams (hadams@latech.edu) by 5pm on Friday, September 19, 2025. Articles should have been published in 2024, at least one author must be a paid member of LAPB/TWS, and the paper must fit one of the following categories: Popular, Basic Research, General Conservation, Fisheries, or Wildlife.
LAPB
Membership
Annual membership dues for LAPB are $25 for professionals and $10 for students, and can be paid here.
Registration for the symposium is $10 (FREE for presenting students). There will be a nominal fee for a catered supper if you wish to attend the evening social on October 9.
Register here, or at the door on October 9.
This year the LAPB Symposium will include a student workshop on Wednesday, October 8th from 1 PM to 5 PM. Register for the workshop ahead of time by emailing Elliot Boudreaux (elliotb@fenstermaker.com) by 5 PM on Friday, September 19, 2025.
The workshop will include a rotation of four stations:
-
Equipment & Trailer Safety
-
Pesticide Safety & Certification Basics
-
Property/Fire Management
-
GPS & Mapping Tools