Schedule

For registered participants only. Meeting point: Outside, in front of the Hotel's lobby at 7:45. Leave Hotel Delta at 8:00, back by 12:00. Description: A guided tour by Nature Cantons-de-l'Est to one of the region’s rare ombrotrophic bogs. We will discover flora characteristic of boreal wetlands, which serve as a breeding ground for several species of boreal forest birds. The stars of the site are the Palm Warbler and the Canada Warbler. Difficulty level: easy (flat terrain on trails and boardwalks). Required equipment: Sturdy footwear, a snack. Binoculars recommended. Fee: 25$ Website: https://naturecantonsdelest.ca/nce/parc-johnville/

For registered participants only. Meeting point: Outside, in front of the Hotel's lobby at 7:45. Leave Hotel Delta at 8:00, back around 17:00. Description: Parc national du Mont Mégantic contains the easternmost of the Monteregian Hills, with low-elevation forests dominated by sugar maple giving way to fir-spruce boreal forest on the mountain tops. On Sunday 6 July, a morning bus from Sherbrooke will take us to the park in a bit more than an hour. Guided by Pr Mark Vellend, we will hike from the main welcome center to the top of Mont St-Joseph and back over 4 hours or so, seeing the full elevation gradient, transitioning between the temperate and boreal forest biomes. We will return to Sherbrooke in late afternoon. Depending on weather, the views from the peak are lovely. The hike is about 3.5 km each way, with the first half an ascent pretty much the whole way, rising about 450 m in elevation. Difficulty level: moderate. Required equipment: Sturdy shoes or boots, your own food and plenty of water, and clothes appropriate for the weather, keeping in mind that it will be colder on the mountain top than it is in Sherbrooke. Fee: 60$ Website: https://www.sepaq.com/pq/mme/index.dot?language_id=1

Our team will be ready to assist with your registration, provide conference materials, and answer any queries. Coffee will be available upon your arrival.

For registered participants only. Organizers: Computational Biodiversity Science and Services BIOS2 (Université de Sherbrooke), Isabelle Lebeuf-Taylor (University of Alberta). Helpers: Francis Banville and Mobina Gholamhosseini. Abstract: Python is a general purpose programming language that is useful for writing scripts to work effectively and reproducibly with data. In this workshop offered by the Computational Biodiversity Science and Services program is an introduction to Python designed for participants with no programming experience. It starts with some basic information about Python syntax, the Jupyter notebook interface, and move through how to import CSV files, using the pandas package to work with data frames, how to calculate summary information from a data frame, and a brief introduction to plotting. The last lesson demonstrates how to work with databases directly from Python. The workshop will have a duration of eight hours and the instructor will be our fellow and certified Carpentries instructor Isabelle Lebeuf-Taylor. The language of instruction will be English, with support in French.

For registered participants only. Organizers: Erik Dean (Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution - Living Data Project), David Hunt (Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution - Living Data Project) Abstract: Do you want to be more efficient in collaborating with others, and more reproducible and transparent in your own analytical workflow? Learning the popular Git protocol can help you meet these goals. Combined with a user-friendly web platform called Github, the Git protocol allows many users to work on the same code simultaneously while keeping a clear history of all changes. Versioning tools like Git are useful even if you work alone; you will never need to have a file named “code_v_23_final” again! This half-day workshop will introduce participants to the basics of using Git and Github using a variety of hands-on exercises, as well as integrations with common coding platforms such as RStudio. No prior Git experience is required; organizers will demonstrate how to install Git on Windows and MacOS (Linux tutorial available upon request). Only basic R skills are required; participants should have R and RStudio installed and ready on a computer they provide for the workshop. This CIEE-sponsored workshop will be held in English.

For registered participants only. Organizer: Aerin Jacob (Nature Conservancy of Canada) Abstract: This interactive half-day workshop is meant for anyone with a background in science who is keen to learn and practice communication. It is relevant for researchers, practitioners, and science enthusiasts at all career stages. We will learn and practice foundational concepts and practical tools, including identifying key audiences, jargon and altneratives, and how to distill key messages that stick. We will address common pitfalls and solutions, how communication relates to the broader application of science, and where to go for further resources. The workshop will be taught through a combination of lecture, individual and group work (written and spoken), and Q&A. While this workshop would pair well with "Intro to Storytelling in Science", also taught by Aerin Jacob, you can take either one alone.

For registered participants only. Organizers: Michael Catchen (Université de Montréal), Timothée Poisot (Université de Montréal), Ariane Bussières-Fournel (Université de Montréal) Abstract: How can we use tools from applied machine learning to make transparent, interpretable predictions about the future of biodiversity? In this workshop aimed at graduate students, postdocs, and ECRs, we will use a mix of discussions and practical case-studies to develop a big picture understanding of this question. Specifically, the workshop will be divided into (i) a 60 minutes conceptual introduction to interpretable machine learning, followed by (ii) a 120 minutes practice-based session in which participants will build a model. Using a species whose distribution is relevant to both conservation efforts and public health surveillance, the main outcome of this workshop will be to introduce tools from interpretable machine learning in the context of biodiversity modelling. At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to link tools and concepts from applied ML to ecological problems, and understand the purpose of each tool to apply them to their research. Participants will also discuss core concepts of reproducibility and transparency, and how these practices can be incorporated into their research activities.

For registered participants only. Organizers: Benoît Leblanc (Université de Sherbrooke), Baptiste Brault (Université de Sherbrooke) Abstract: Take part in a workshop to explore the potential of comics in scientific communication. The workshop will begin with a lecture introducing the strengths of comics as a communication tool, highlighting their ability to make complex ideas accessible to all. This introduction will be followed by a second part focused on the codes and design of comics, providing a better understanding of the essential steps in their creation. You will then move on to hands-on practice in small groups: based on your research topics or interests, you will develop a preliminary storyboard for a comic. This step will help you think about structure and narrative angle while exchanging ideas and suggestions with other participants. The goal is not to produce a finished work but to lay the groundwork for a clear and engaging story. No particular drawing skills are required, as the exercise emphasizes reflection and collaboration. An enriching moment to combine creativity and knowledge sharing. Two 90-minute sessions, one theoretical and one practical, with the option to withdraw between the two.

Take a breather and mingle with peers during our coffee break. It's the perfect opportunity to discuss the morning's insights, refresh, and energize yourself for the upcoming sessions.

For registered participants only. Organizer: Shalene Singh-Shepherd (The Royal Society) Abstract: Royal Society Publishing would like to hold a workshop covering all aspects of the publishing process aimed at early career researchers who would like to know more about how to improve your chances of getting their research published. The workshop will cover a variety of topics including:- choosing the right journal- understanding the publishing process and journal policies- preparing your paper for submission- enhancing the visibility of your work. We will also explore other themes in publishing like the open science movement, the peer review process and the role of the editor.This will be an interactive workshop with a number of exercises where attendees will get the opportunity to discuss publishing questions with others, followed by feedback sessions. There will also be lots of opportunities for questions. The workshop will be hosted by Senior Publishing Editor, Shalene Singh-Shepherd (Proceedings B) and will run for 90 minutes. Proceedings B Editor-in-Chief Spencer Barrett and a couple of journal editors will also be present to explain the role of editors.

This is an excellent opportunity to network, reflect on the morning's work, and prepare for the afternoon sessions. Please note that bringing outside food into the Delta is prohibited. Those who did not select meals during registration must consume their meals outside the conference center.

For registered participants only. Meeting point: Outside, in front of the Hotel's lobby at 12:15. Leave Hotel Delta at 12:30, back by 17:00. Description: A 3.6-km walk, half on boardwalk, to see the swampy end of Lake Magog, guided by Pr Marco Festa-Bianchet. Turtle nesting habitat, beavers, muskrats, fish, acquatic plants, lots of birds (several breeding pairs of Wood Ducks, presence of Osprey and Bald Eagle). Difficulty level: easy (flat terrain on trails and boardwalks). Required equipment: Sturdy footwear, a snack. Binoculars recommended. Fee: 25$ Web site: https://www.iledumarais.org/index.html

For registered participants only. Organizers: Computational Biodiversity Science and Services BIOS2 (Université de Sherbrooke), Andrew MacDonald (Université de Sherbrooke). Helper: Gracielle Higino. Abstract: Shiny is free and open source web framework for developing web applications, originally in R and since 2022 in Python. In this workshop offered by the Computational Biodiversity Science and Services program is an introduction to Shinny Apps in R, where we'll find out what exactly a Shinny App is, how it works, and how to build one using shinyDashboards and Golem. The workshop will have a duration of four hours and the instructor will be our community manager and certified Carpentries instructor Andrew MacDonald.

For registered participants only. Organizers: Sandra Emry (Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution - Living Data Project), David Hunt (Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution - Living Data Project) Abstract: One of the ubiquitous tasks in science is “data wrangling”: the dark art of shepherding real world data from collection to a dataset suitable for analysis. Wrangling involves reproducibly checking for errors and outliers, combining columns and rows from different datasets, and arranging datasets into tidy formats. In any analysis, data wrangling can often be the majority of a workflow, but learning the available tools and techniques can be overwhelming. This half-day workshop will introduce participants to the basics of organizing, combining, cleaning, and quality control of datasets in ecology and evolution. Using the R statistical language and RStudio, we will introduce participants to relevant packages, their capabilities, and basic examples of use. These skills are relevant for anyone not familiar with such packages, but are oriented towards new graduate students and undergrads, or those requiring a refresher. Only basic R skills are required; participants should have RStudio installed and ready on a computer they provide. The organizers will provide datasets and scripts for the participants. This CIEE-sponsored workshop will be held in English.

For registered participants only. Organizer: Aerin Jacob (Nature Conservancy of Canada) Abstract: Storytelling is foundational to being human. People have been telling stories for thousands of years and a compelling narrative is one of our most powerful forms of communication, including in science. Effective grant proposals, presentations, and peer-reviewed papers all depend on some kind of story structure. But not everyone is a “born storyteller” … What makes one story easy to remember or emotionally moving while another one falls flat? Where do you start? That’s where this workshop comes in. Anyone can learn to tell a better story — there’s some even some science involved. This workshop is relevant for researchers, practitioners, and science enthusiasts at all career stages. We will learn concepts and techniques to create and use narrative, ultimately helping you to inspire, inform, and build support for your science. This workshop requires 1-2h of homework ahead of time (mandatory). While this workshop would pair well with "Intro to Science Communication", also taught by Aerin Jacob, you can take either one alone.

For registered participants only. Organizers: Bethann Garramon Merkle (University of Wyoming), Stephen Heard (University of New Brunswick) Abstract: All of us mentor developing scientific writers. Providing feedback on draft writing is a central and powerful approach to that, but without careful design, feedback can be painfully time-consuming and ineffective to boot. How can we spend less time but provide better help for our students’ development as writers? In this 2-hour workshop, Bethann Garramon Merkle and Stephen B. Heard (authors of the forthcoming book Teaching and Mentoring Writers in the Sciences: An Evidence-Based Guide) will help you explore techniques for efficient and effective mentoring. What role (coach, gatekeeper, editor, collaborator, etc.) do you want to play as you consider a draft? How can you and your mentee agree on the stage of development a draft represents, and thus what kind of feedback it needs? How can you (and should you?) help students meet reader expectations without extinguishing their personal voices? We’ll provide both instruction and hands-on practice that will empower participants to rethink writing mentorship and to try new approaches to mentoring efficiently and effectively.

For registered participants only. Organizer: Andrea Wishart (Canadian Science Publishing) Abstract: Peer review is a critical component of the modern process of sharing scientific findings, yet today’s graduate students and early career researchers are rarely given formal training in how to perform peer review. This lack of training means researchers may go on to give low-quality or unhelpful reviews, or are not as effective in addressing review comments they receive as authors. This can slow down the publication process for individual authors, but more importantly, can delay advancements in research and development that benefit society more broadly. This workshop will be the second of two components, the first being a webinar prior to the conference. Led by both editors and staff of Canadian Science Publishing journals, participants will be guided through the peer review process and learn the skills to perform constructive, effective peer review themselves. Students and early career researchers will learn how they can gain peer review experience, from performing and getting credit for co-reviewing with a more established researcher, to setting themselves up to be discovered by editors as future reviewers.

Take a breather and mingle with peers during our coffee break. It's the perfect opportunity to discuss the morning's insights, refresh, and energize yourself for the upcoming sessions.

Can we tech our way out of the biodiversity crisis? The conservation technology era is upon us. We have an unprecedented ability to understand biodiversity patterns and trends, but is it enough? In this talk, I will highlight some emerging trends in technology—especially in machine learning—and how these new technologies speak to the longstanding gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity. This is especially relevant for Canada with climate change set to substantially alter species distributions, but not enough spatially- and temporally-resolved data to detect these changes. Sometimes, we have enough data to make reasonable model-based scenarios of biodiversity change and I will discuss some of our work on terrestrial species and food webs for Canada. In other times, we just need more data and to collect it as efficiently as possible. Technology can help us, but sometimes we still have to roll up our sleeves!

Welcome reception, where researchers and enthusiasts gather to exchange innovative ideas and celebrate advances in ecology and evolution!