William Shakespeare loved birds, and his plays and sonnets are alive with avian imagery—symbols of freedom, jealousy, love, betrayal, and prophecy. Bringing together Western Field Ornithologists’ (WFO’s) passion for birds with the creative spirit of Ashland, Oregon—and our partners at the Oregon Birding Association and Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO)—makes this the perfect place to celebrate WFO’s 50th Annual Conference, an extraordinary milestone for our organization.

Ashland and the surrounding region, the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawa peoples, also hold a special place in my family’s story, rich in both biodiversity and theater. While living in Eugene, we often paused in Ashland and its beautiful Lithia Park on our drives between Oregon and the Bay Area. When my children were young, we romped through the playgrounds; as they grew, we explored the trails, bird habitats, and the lovely Japanese garden. Over the years, Ashland became a destination for us to experience Shakespeare, August Wilson, and many emerging playwrights.

As my daughters Blythe and Fianna Wilde (2017 WFO Scholars) entered high school, Ashland drew them again—this time for a two-week seminar where they learned the art and business of theater production, an experience that deeply shaped their lives. In parallel, birding became a shared family passion, and our visits often extended into the Siskiyous and Klamath Basin in search of the region’s extraordinary birdlife. The Klamath–Siskiyou region of northern California and southern Oregon is rich in biodiversity and home to nearly 250 avian species.

Today, my daughter Fianna, a field biologist, has continued that connection, working in collaboration with KBO on projects in northern California’s Salmon River, the California Redwoods, Vesper Meadow, and Quartz Valley Indian Reservation.

About her experiences, Fianna recalls: “I awoke to the laughter of Acorn Woodpeckers at the campsite near Ashland. After a day of plant surveying in Vesper Meadow, I went looking for Great Gray Owls and saw a Sandhill Crane family silhouetted by the orange glow of sunset.”

She adds, “Working with KBO, I learned that this celebration of biodiversity is supported by strong partnerships built on trust, care, and practice. I hope that by coming to the conference you can nurture relationships with this special place and people.”

Whether your passion is for birds, theater, or both, we anticipate a program filled with wit, science, and camaraderie. We invite you to join this community of people who care for this amazing region! Join us in Ashland, September 17–20, 2026, as WFO celebrates field ornithology, friendship, and discovery with our 50^th Annual Conference.

November 2025 | Shaun Wilde, Managing Director