INVITATION TO ATTEND
You are cordially invited to attend and participate in the 32nd Vertebrate Pest Conference, a scientific forum for discussing and exchanging information on human-wildlife conflicts. The conference will be held at the Mission Valley Marriott in San Diego, California. San Diego is California’s second largest city with over 70 miles of beaches and ideal year-round temperatures. San Diego farms have specialized in integrating agricultural activity and urban living, and growing crops that optimize limited acres and result in unique vertebrate pest challenges. More information about the hotel can be found at: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sanmv-san-diego-marriott-mission-valley/overview/.
The Vertebrate Pest Conference, held every two years, is the most recognized conference of its kind. Participants and attendees include leading authorities on vertebrate pest management from around the world. Papers are presented in English.
The pre-registration fee for the full conference is expected to be around $410.
CALL FOR PAPERS
The call for papers is an effort to attract a wide array of potential contributors. Papers can be of a practical nature, focused on techniques and technology, or research oriented. We are seeking papers for proposed special symposia that may include:
- Working Dogs and Wildlife
- New Frontiers in Managing Wild Pigs
- Advancing Fertility Control for Vertebrate Pests: Research, Innovation, and Implementation
Additional contributed papers will be accepted in (but not limited to) the following vertebrate pest categories:
- Field rodent management
- Predator management
- Hazards associated with vertebrate pest control
- Control of birds in urban and agricultural settings
- Threatened and endangered species and vertebrate pest management
- Regulatory issues of vertebrate pest control
- Control of zoonotic and wildlife-associated diseases
- Alternative management methods and materials
- Human dimensions of vertebrate pest management
- Economic, social, and political aspects of vertebrate pest management
Papers for urban/landscape nuisance wildlife and agricultural IPM procedures are encouraged for providing continuing education credit requirements.
SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS
For more information and abstract submission form please visit the Abstract Submission page
CONFERENCE FORMAT
The conference will be held over 4 days and includes a field trip, held on the first day, as well as three days filled with special symposia and concurrent sessions. This format maximizes information exchange and provides networking opportunities that satisfies all interests in vertebrate pest management (e.g., management of birds, rodents, and predators; management in agricultural, urban, and natural landscapes; zoonotic and livestock diseases, etc.). Presentations range from practical management to more technical papers concerning research or new technology.
FIELD TRIP
The optional Conference field trip on March 2nd will explore human-wildlife conflicts in this unique location. It will provide a first-hand opportunity to see wildlife damage as well as management efforts in progress. This will be an all-day event. The field trip fee includes motor coach transportation and lunch.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Monday, March 2, 2026
Field Trip - Vertebrate pest management
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Registration
Keynote Address and Plenary Session
General and Concurrent Sessions
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
General and Concurrent Sessions
Special symposia
Thursday, March 5, 2026
General and Concurrent Sessions
Special symposium
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS OF PARTICIPANTS
The Conference makes significant contributions toward understanding and resolving human-wildlife conflicts and wildlife damage problems, promoting better management methodology, and minimizing adverse environmental and ecological effects. Vertebrate pest management is applied ecology focused on improving agriculture, public and wildlife health, and conservation of natural and human-made resources. The Conference is a forum for sharing knowledge and experiences among researchers, administrators, extension personnel, educators, and practitioners in vertebrate pest management and wildlife damage problems.
Participants vary in professional background, but all have one common interest - wildlife as vertebrate pests. The following are representatives of past attendees:
- Animal control officials and personnel
- Private and commercial pesticide applicators
- Consultants in vertebrate pest problems
- Manufacturers and suppliers of vertebrate pest materials
- Health department officials and employees
- Agriculturists interested in predation and disease transmission reduction
- Extension specialists, advisors, and agents
- Foresters
- Wildlife departments (wildlife managers and enforcement agents)
- Pest control advisors (PCAs)
- Federal and state pesticide registration and regulatory agency administrators and staff
- Sanitarians
- Food processing and warehouse managers
- Educators - pest control subjects
- Students
- Researchers - (public agencies and private sector)
- Natural resource managers
- Private wildlife control operators
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
California Continuing Education (CE) credits for Pest Control Professionals (PCA, QAC, etc.) are anticipated. CE credit for other programs may also be available.