Reunions
Making Connections, Renewing Friendships
To date, 21 Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Retiree Reunions have been held. The first was in 1999 at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, when 13 retirees gathered. The NCTC is considered the ‘home” of the FWS. It houses the staffed FWS museum and archives and was a fitting location for this initial gathering. By 2002 when the reunion met in Spearfish, South Dakota, to help celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Service’s Fishery Resources Program in conserving America’s fisheries, attendance swelled to over 200 retirees and spouses from all parts of the U.S. The D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives was host to this celebration recognizing the Fisheries Program’s proud past. The most recent reunion was held in June 2023 at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The next reunion is planned for May 12-14, 2025 in Madison, WI. For more information about reunions, click here and contact our communications board member.
You can explore more information about future and past FWS Retirees Reunions below:
Our upcoming 22nd Reunion of the FWS Retirees Association, May 12-16, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin!
We are planning a full agenda, including field trips, lots of good food, amazing speakers, and best of all, fellowship with your FWS friends. It’s exciting to again have as our keynote speaker Douglas Brinkley (he joined us at the last Reunion, NCTC), and field trips to the International Crane Foundation, Aldo Leopold Foundation, and Necedah NWR. Click here for the reunion program.
Link to sign up – it will soon to be too late.
FWS Retirees Madison Meeting Sign up Form
The signup form also includes a link to make your reservations at our host hotel, the Hyatt Place Madison/Downtown, if you haven’t done so already. We hope to book at least 50 rooms! The Hyatt Place has asked that we use that link to guarantee a special daily room rate for our attendees ($159 king bed or $169 for 2 queen beds, plus applicable taxes) which includes breakfast. Please make sure to include your arrival and departure dates. The Welcome Reception is on Monday evening, May 12, and closing Banquet is on Thursday evening, May 15.
On Line Auction of Kent Olsen Artwork
Click here to see the art and how you can bid on the artwork even if you are not attending the reunion.
Our traditional Silent Auction returns! Bring your items that you would like to contribute for our fund-raiser, and we will display them at our evening banquet on Thursday night.
All for now, and hope to see you in Madison!