2027 Western Black Bear Workshop

A WAFWA Sanctioned Workshop

The Western Black Bear Workshop is held every three years by the Wildlife Chiefs Committee sanctioned by WAFWA. The workshop provides a forum where leading black bear managers and researchers share research results, management strategies, and emerging issues in the realms of black bear management throughout North America.

Submit an Abstract

The workshop is now accepting abstract submissions for posters, presentations, and agency updates. Abstracts are limited to 500 words.

The deadline for submission is November 15, 11:59 pm. Successful applicants will be notified before December 31, 2026.

Topics include:

Population demographics, ecology and behavior
Management in dynamic landscapes
Applicable monitoring and research
Human dimensions
Black bears and grizzly bears

Submit Abstract

Workshop Schedule

At this point, the schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Monday, March 29 – Welcome social for attendees begins at 6:00pm PT.

Tuesday, March 30 – Sessions & presentations continue all day. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

Wednesday, March 31 – Sessions & presentations continue all day. Lunch and dinner are on your own

Thursday, April 1 – Sessions & presentations continue all day. Lunch is on your own & evening dinner banquet (free with registration) begins at 6:00pm

Friday, April 2 – Depart or stay longer if you wish.

More Detailed Schedule

Location & Lodging

The 15th Western Black Bear Workshop will be March 29 – April 2, 2027 at the Icicle Village Resort in Leavenworth, Washington.

A discounted group rate of $110.00 per night plus tax is available at the Western Black Bear Workshop Booking Link (coming soon).

This rate will be available through February 27 or until rooms are sold out.

Full breakfast is included with the room rate as well as the banquet dinner. Check in is 4pm, check out is 11am.

Hotel Booking Link

Register to Attend

Early registration: $300 (by Feb 1)
Standard registration: $35 (Feb 2 – Mar 10)
Student registration: $200

Please register by March 10, 2027

Registration Coming Soon

Sponsor Opportunities

We welcome sponsors and vendors! If you are interested, see our SPONSOR BROCHURE for details. Please be aware of WAFWA’s sponsor policy.

Sponsor Here

Travel Options to Leavenworth

Pangborn Memorial Airport (EAT) in East Wenatchee is a small regional airport with two daily flights from Seattle (via Alaska Airlines). If you want to fly as close as possible to the Workshop, you should book your flight way in advance to ensure a seat as there are only 2 flights per day. The airport is a 45-minute drive to the Icicle Village Resort in Leavenworth. Options for traveling from Pangborn Airport include:
- Rental car
- Uber/Lyft rideshare options
- Link Transit bus routes
  - For those with flights arriving at 2:00 pm, the organizers will arrange a free shuttle from Pangborn to Leavenworth (TBA, watch the website)

If you prefer to fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), it is a 2.5-hour drive along Highway 2 through the beautiful Cascade Mountains to the Icicle Village Resort in Leavenworth. Options for traveling directly from Seattle-Tacoma Airport include:
- Rental car
- Wenatchee Valley Shuttle from the Seattle-Tacoma Airport to the Peshastin Park & Ride (then bus/rideshare to Leavenworth, 10 minutes away). One way cost is $79 and round trip is $158. Reservations must be made using the link above.
  - For those taking this shuttle from Seattle to Peshastin (one every 3 hours 5am -5pm PT) the organizers will arrange a shuttle from this drop off location to Leavenworth (TBA, watch the website)

Spokane International Airport (GEG) is a 3.25 hour drive to the Icicle Village Resort in Leavenworth. Options for traveling directly from Spokane Airport include:
- Rental car

Workshop Agenda

This is a tentative schedule as the final agenda will be developed based on submissions.

Monday, March 29 – Registration opens at noon. Exhibitors & Poster presenters begin setting up 12-5pm. Welcome social for attendees begins at 6:00pm PT.

Tuesday, March 30 – Welcome and opening address begin at 8am PT followed by jurisdictional status reports. After lunch, there will be additional sessions & presentations. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Poster session will be included in the afternoon session.

Wednesday, March 31 – Opening remarks begin at 8am PT followed by additional sessions & presentations. Lunch and dinner are on your own

Thursday, April 1 – Sessions & presentations continue all day. Lunch is on your own & evening dinner banquet (free with registration) begins at 6:00pm

Friday, April 2 – Depart or stay longer if you wish. A list of activities is available here: Alpine Lodge Leavenworth Washington