The 2017 meeting of the Southwestern Association of Naturalists, or SWAN, will be held April 13-16 in Lawton Oklahoma and will be hosted by Cameron University.
SWAN is primarily dedicated to the natural history of North America, and boasts strong member support from Mexico and several Latin American countries. The term “southwestern” is loosely applied, considering members attend from as far east as Georgia and as far north as Kansas and Missouri.
Previous meetings were held in San Diego (2015) and Mexico City (2016).
“The meeting is an opportunity for students and researchers to come together to discuss and present new research pertaining to the natural history of species and communities throughout the region,” said Dr. Day Ligon, associate professor of biology. “In addition to presenting their own research, students can benefit from opportunities to socialize and network with colleagues from other universities and conservation agencies.”
The annual meeting is usually held in a locale that offers a biologically interesting backdrop.
“This year, that backdrop is the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma, which are known for iconic wildlife such as elk and collared lizards,” said Ligon. “Furthermore, it is always held in mid to late April, a time of year when many plants and animals are becoming active.”
For the latest event information, visit SWAN’s Facebook page.