NCTWS 2026 Annual Meeting Information
February 17th - 19th 2026​
Havelock Tourist & Event Center
201 Tourist Center Drive, Havelock, NC
Phone: (252) 444-4348
The NCTWS Annual Meeting will begin at 1:00 PM on Tue., Feb. 17th, with optional field trips followed by registration, dinner and social.
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Registration table will be open the following hours:
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Feb. 17th (Tuesday) afternoon: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Feb. 18th (Wednesday): 8:00-8:45 am, and during morning and afternoon breaks
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Tuesday night dinner (Feb. 17th) is from 6:00-7:00 pm, followed by our social & poster session
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The Corvid Club Social is on Wed. night, 5:00-6:00 pm, prior to dinner. All attendees are welcome to this unique event, where specialized refreshments are served. However, annual Corvid Club donors receive a complimentary Corvid Club-themed cocktail.
Lodging
Group rates are available at two hotels through January 15th:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Havelock NW
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Group room rate is $129/night, not including taxes.
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To reserve, use this weblink: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Havelock NW
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If you reserve by phone (252-447-9000), the group room rate is "Wildlife Society".
Hampton Inn Havelock
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Group rate is $125/night, not including taxes.
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Call 252-447-9400 to make reservations and use group room rate "NCW".
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If you are exempt from the state sales tax, please present your tax-exempt form when you check-in at the hotel front desk.
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Rooms available are 1 King or 2 Queen beds. You can share a room with the roommates of your choice.
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Continental breakfast is available at each hotel.
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Field Trips
The 2026 Annual Meeting will begin with three field trip options, included with your registration. If you would like to attend a field trip, please visit links below to register. Field trip meeting location will be shared with field trip attendees prior to Feb. 17th.
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1. Rare and Imperiled Amphibians of the Croatan – Learn about amphibians of the Croatan National Forest. Join State Herpetologist, Jeff Hall (NCWRC) to visit the Patsy Pond area of the Croatan National Forest. Various amphibians and their habitats will be explored, with a particular focus on the endangered Gopher Frog, its breeding ponds, and conservation efforts underway to recover this species. Click here to register!
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2. Saltmarsh Birds and Habitat Management – Learn about saltmarsh birds and they ecological hardships they are experiencing in the face of climate change. Learn about the unique challenges of saltmarsh birds found in the high marsh, a habitat experiencing "coastal squeeze," on this field trip led by Waterbird Biologist, Kacy Cook (NCWRC). The visit will include information about the vulnerability of this habitat, the condition of associated bird species, unique survey approaches being used to detect birds in the marsh, and habitat management approaches being used to support migration of marshes and enhance habitats. Participants should expect to get muddy feet. Click here to register!
3. Croatan National Forest Birds and Mammals – Explore Croatan National Forest and learn about its diverse flora and fauna. Join Chris Kent, District Biologist (NCWRC), to walk trails in the Croatan National Forest and learn about the long leaf pine ecosystem and its inhabitants. Information will be shared about the fire-dependent vegetation communities at the site and fire management approaches used to maintain ecosystem health. Participants will also have the opportunity to look for and learn about carnivorous plants and the birds and mammals inhabiting the long leaf pine forest along the way. Click here to register!
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