Symposium Registration – California Invasive Plant Council

Join us at CSU Chico, October 25-28, for the 2023 Cal-IPC Symposium. Or connect remotely with our Online option.

This year’s theme, “Reuniting for Resilience,” shares our excitement to gather once again in-person. It’s a reminder that we are most effective when we come together – whether it’s to share landscape-level insights across agency borders, to pull weeds side-by-side, or to mentor the next generation of California stewards.

For those unable to join us in Chico, we are keeping an online platform to stream talks, take questions from both virtual and in-person attendees, and offer our virtual attendees an upgraded suite of accessibility features (including automated language translation and screen reader options). The app will also make the in-person experience richer. We’re saving paper and putting previews of presentations, the entire program, and important notifications right in the palm of your hand – use the app to stay in-the-know!

Three people stand in a dusty road by a field of brown cut Arundo with green resprouting Arundo shoots

In 2014, field trip attendees learned about Arundo control at Stony Creek. Photo: Cal-IPC Archives.

Symposium Content, Oct. 25-27 (In-person and streaming online)

Session talks, discussion groups, and opportunities to connect with sponsors and colleagues
Statewide WMA Meeting – Representatives from California’s Weed Management Areas (WMAs) share information about securing grants, designing projects, researching plants, selecting tools, reporting finds, acquiring permits, and engaging communities.
Herbicide Laws & Regulations – Get 2 hours of DPR CEU credits!
Student/Early Career Panel – Learn more about careers in weed management with experts
Awards luncheon (Food for in-person attendees only)
Photo Contest
Sponsor and Exhibitor Gallery

CSU Chico attendees

Enjoy the perks of coming in-person!

Poster and Lightning Talk Session
Shared meals – Breakfast and coffee breaks Thursday and Friday, Awards Luncheon on Friday.
“Symposium buddies” – To encourage connection and support career growth, we’re offering a “Symposium buddies” option. Think of it as a “mentorship light,” to navigate this experience with a little extra support. Sign up on the registration form.
Evening reception and raffle – This fun social hour invites a little friendly competition and raises “golden dollars” for Cal-IPC. You could be a winner!

Workshops, Wednesday, Oct. 25

Add a workshop to explore a topic in-depth. Workshops are concurrent. Limited availability, so advance registration is required. Chose from:

CLOSED (Workshop Full) Herbicide calibration for invasive plant management – Max attendees 40.
What to do when you’re expecting (a fire) (In-person and Online, Half day, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, free) – Planning for invasive plant aspects of coordinated wildfire response, with instructors from the National Park Service. Max attendees in-person 60.
Hands-on Calflora training (In-person only, Half day, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, free) – Get up-to-date guidance for using this free mapping tool for weeds, including info on color-coding, sharing data, and more. Hands-on walk through using ObserverPro in the field, with instructors from Calflora. Max attendees 40.

Field Trips, Saturday, Oct. 28 (In-person)

Add on to your experience with an excursion to explore projects in and around Chico. Choose from one of the following options:

Oroville Wildlife Area and Thermalito Afterbay (Full day, 9 am – 5 pm, $50 fee includes lunch) – Max attendees 35. Applied for 6 hours of DPR CEU credit.

Biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Water Resources lead a walk-through of riparian woodlands and grasslands along the Feather River. Hear about management plans for water primrose, tree-of-heaven, dittrichia, medusahead, and more. Also learn about a few new discoveries and the challenges and successes with early detection and rapid response.

Terrain and other considerations: We will carpool to 4 separate locations to discuss management and habitat. At one point, we will walk down to the water’s edge to discuss vegetation so the terrain will be unpaved and uneven, but not too steep. There will not be much shade when we are outside the vehicles. Bring drinking water and sun protection, and wear closed toe / closed side shoes.

Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (Half day, 9 am – 1 pm, $25 fee) – Max attendees 30. Applied for 2.25 hours of DPR CEU credit.

Staff and researchers from Chico State and the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) will walk the group through restoration sites in Big Chico Creek Canyon. The primary focus of the day will be on yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) control and meadow restoration. The group will observe other work the BCCER has done in the area, including wildfire fuels reductions and oak woodland restoration, as well as riparian weed removal along Big Chico Creek. All treatments have been done using cultural or mechanical methods, no chemical treatments have been used in these projects. Plans are subject to a slight change if a window for live fire implementation becomes available on the day of the tour.

Terrain and other considerations: We will primarily be on a flat dirt road. At one point, we will walk to a creek, which would be down a gentle slope about 50 feet in elevation. Walking distance will be a maximum of 3 miles. Bring drinking water and sun protection, and wear closed toe / closed side shoes.

Brayton Restoration Project in Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park (Half day, 9 am – 1 pm, $25 fee) – Max attendees 30. Applied for 2.25 hours of DPR CEU credit.

We will be touring a restoration site along the Sacramento River outside of Chico, in the northern central valley. Invasive plant extirpation has been a priority in this area and active control efforts are ongoing. We will talk about efforts to control a variety of agricultural weeds including Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), and Italian rye grass (Lolium multiflorum) using physical and chemical approaches. Come see how River Partners and State Parks have undertaken weed control efforts on this 25-acre former walnut orchard along the Sacramento River.

Terrain and other considerations: The terrain is all dirt that is relatively flat. There is partial shade, but sunscreen is still recommended. Bring drinking water and sun protection, and wear closed toe / closed side shoes.

Big Chico Creek Access with CA State Parks (Half day, 9 am – 1 pm, $25 fee) – Maximum attendees 30. Applied for 2.75 hours of DPR CEU credit.

We will be walking a loop trail at Big Chico Creek Access; a unit of Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park that was once an almond orchard. This unit includes 96 acres of riparian habitat and provides important flood conveyance during California’s wet winters. In some areas of this old almond orchard State Parks has taken a passive restoration approach and we will see how active and passive restoration strategies have differing effects on habitat structure and composition. Join us for a morning stroll and learn more about the management efforts occurring within this unique piece of the Sacramento riparian corridor.

Terrain and other considerations: The Big Chico Creek Access trail is a 0.6 mile-long loop that is dirt and mostly flat. It is a fairly easy trail that weaves through a Riparian woodland offering ample shade along the way, though sun protection is still recommended. Bring drinking water and sun protection, and wear closed toe / closed side shoes.

DPR Credits

We are in the process of applying for continuing education units from the California Dept. of Pesticide Regulation. In past years, we have been approved for 2 units fulfilling Herbicide Laws & Regulations, as well as 12-13.5 hours of “other” units for in-person attendees. Workshops and Field Trips often fulfill several hours of “other” units, but available spots fill up quickly.

Please note: Attendees to the Online Symposium will have more limited opportunities to receive DPR credit, due to the additional workload associated with a hybrid event DPR credits. We are applying for the 2 units fulfilling Herbicide Laws & Regulations, and 5 additional hours of “other” units. To maximize your DPR credits, it is recommended to join us in-person. All applicable sessions will be marked on the program, and clearly indicate whether credits are available to attendees joining online or in-person. We are predicting that we will receive final DPR unit approval by the end of September. Thank you for your patience.

Student Contest and Travel Awards

Student presenters who choose to participate in our student contests for talks and posters receive feedback from expert reviewers. Cash prizes are awarded to top presenters!

Student presenters joining us in-person are eligible for Travel Awards to help with travel costs to Chico. Learn more on the Student Section website.

Rates for 2023 Cal-IPC Symposium, CSU Chico (In-person), Oct. 25-28

Includes breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, plus reception Thursday evening.

Early Bird through Aug. 25/ Regular through Oct. 10 / Late registration form closes Oct. 18, 5pm. Limited registration available at the door, at “Late” rates. (Max attendees: 330)

Member: $325 early bird / $350 regular / $375 late
Non-Member: $375 early bird / $400 regular / $425 late
*Student & **Limited Income Member: Free early bird / $15 regular / $30 late
*Student & **Limited Income Non-Member: $25 early bird / $30 regular / $45 late
Presenter – Submitted Abstract: $225 early bird / $250 regular / $275 late (Presenters whose Abstracts were accepted for the 2023 Symposium)
Board & Volunteer: $195 (Thank you to Cal-IPC’s Board Members and dedicated volunteers!)
Presenter – Special Plenary Speakers: $0 (Invited by the 2023 Cal-IPC Symposium Planning Committee)
Presenter – *Student: $0

In-person additional costs/discounts:

Charge for DPR continuing education credits: $50
Field Trip, Oroville Wildlife Area, full-day (10/28): $50
Field Trip, Big Chico or Bidwell-Sacramento, half-day (10/28): $25
Discount for attending SERCAL: Subtract $25 with discount code

*Student: Discounts for individuals in a degree program or up to 1 year post-graduate.
**Limited Income: Cal-IPC is committed to creating equitable access to our resources. This rate is designed for members of our community for whom the cost of registration would be a barrier to participation. Thank you!

Return policy: Please purchase carefully. No refunds.

Rates for 2023 Cal-IPC Symposium, Online streaming, Oct. 25-27

Early Bird through Aug. 25/ Regular through Oct. 10 / Late registration closes Oct. 23, 5pm.

Member: $75 early bird / $100 regular / $125 late
Non-Member: $100 early bird / $125 regular / $150 late
Student & *Limited Income Member: Free
Student & *Limited Income Non-Member: $15 early bird / $25 regular / $35 late
Presenter – Submitted Abstract: $25 early bird / $50 regular / $75 late (Presenters whose Abstracts were accepted for the 2023 Symposium)
Presenter – Special Plenary Speaker: $0 (Invited by the 2023 Cal-IPC Symposium Planning Committee)
Presenter – Student: $0

Online streaming additional costs/discounts:

Charge for DPR continuing education credits: $25
Discount for attending SERCAL: Subtract $25 with discount code

Questions or concerns, please email symposium@cal-ipc.org.

Return to the Symposium Landing Page