Welcome to Registration for the 2026 “Hells Gate” WOS Annual Conference in Lewiston, ID
May 14-17 2026
Registration is open through April 30, 2026. To begin registration, click the button below.
For more information about registration, scroll down.
To give conference attendees a preview of the registration process, here is a partial look at the “Planet Reg” webpages via a 4-page .pdf. As you see, there will be various web-links intended to help you through the process: when you are registering in reality, each will take you somewhere (such as to the list of Field Trips), explain something or connect you to someone. In this “preview” look, there are no opportunities to pose questions, rather this hopes to make the registration process look more familiar. Note that this preview does not include meal choices. There is also a “waiver” on the third page: you can find the full text below.
Below is the text from the first part of the above .pdf that explains the registration process. This text does not include the form elements that attendees will fill in or select that are on the bottom of the second page and all of the third and fourth pages.
Your Co-Registrars this year are Elaine Chuang and WOS Treasurer Dick Holcomb. If you run into issues during the registration process, please email your Registrars. (Title your message “WOS Conference” and be certain to include your phone number.) We will address your issue as soon as possible. If you feel you have an urgent issue, please title your email “WOS Conference URGENT.” Again, be sure to include your phone number.
Important features to help streamline the Registration Process:
- * WOS membership (or renewal) is not available here as part of registration, but is instead handled separately via the WOS Membership page.
- * Register for the conference and sign up for both your field trips and meals here in a single registration. You will not be able to add items yourself later. If you make an error or forget to sign up for something, please email your registrars to get it corrected. As above, title your message “WOS Conference” and be certain to include your phone number.
- * Registration will be available only by credit card through PayPal. If you run into any issues during payment, please email your Registrars FOLLOWING completion of your registration. Be assured that selections you made during registration will not be affected. If you have trouble with your credit card payment, please do not register a second time.
REGISTRATION
You may register for up to two people, selecting the registrant type that applies for each person as follows:
- * Current WOS members AND those who will become members by the start of the conference should register as WOS Member Attendee.
- * Students (age 24 and under) should register as Student Attendee.
- * Field trip leaders, speakers and awardees should register as a Field Trip Leader/Special (thus waiving your registration fee). If you are a Field Trip Leader, please do not sign up for your own field trips. You will only register and pay for any additional field trips you want to join.
- * Non-members who do not wish to join WOS may attend the conference by selecting Non-member Attendee.
FIELD TRIPS
Details on all field trips, including trip ID numbers, trip leader, driving distance, hiking required, etc. are available on the WOS Conference Field Trips .pdf. The trips are listed by day with full-day trips first, followed by half-day trips. There are two on-the-way trips and there are two owling trips offered. You may only choose one full- or half-day trip per person, per day. Note that the Field Trip list linked above is the most current version (date is shown on the first page).
Seeking Leaders and Cancellation of Field Trips
As you will see, a number of field trips are offered which do not yet have leaders (indicated by the absence of a named leader, and ??). The board hopes that volunteers will step forward to lead these trips. Contact Jon Isacoff if you are interested in leading a field trip.
Please be aware that field trips for which there is no leader by April 20, will be cancelled on that date. Any participants who have signed up for a trip that is cancelled will be notified, and the Board will make every effort to reassign those individuals to a different trip on the same day. A refund would also be available.
Troubleshooting-filled trips
Unfortunately, some trips may fill up during the time it takes you to register. If your first choice(s) fill up during the registration process, you will get the following message (in red) when you try to complete registration:
“Due to low inventory levels, there now is insufficient inventory to complete your request for the indicated items. Further action on the indicated fields is required before completing this request.”
If this happens, do not exit the window or use the back arrow (which will force you to start your registration over from the beginning). Please click the “Edit” button, and you will be able to make another selection for the field trip that is now full (next to where it says “Inventory Deficiency Here“).
MEALS
Friday evening and Saturday evening meal tickets are ONLY available in advance through online registration. On Friday night, we will enjoy a “heavy appetizers” Buffet. For our sumptuous Saturday Banquet Buffet, you will be asked below only about special dietary choices, if you have any.
This year, there is a full breakfast buffet offered daily at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel as an option to all (note: HCGH bookings do not include complementary breakfast). The buffet is $10, starts at 5 a.m. and is open to anyone. Breakfast tickets for the HCGH should be purchased during online registration. You will see these tickets offered on the meal page.
Trip leaders, speakers and awardees: Please select your meals from the “Trip Leader/Special” sections to waive the fee. We thank you for your generous contributions to this conference.
One may purchase extra meal tickets for individuals who are not attending the conference (simply add in the Attendee meals section).
PAYMENT
Payment options will be via credit card or PayPal. The system will direct you to the PayPal site to complete your payment. If you encounter difficulty with payment, email your Registrars, who can help process your payment manually. (Remember to title your message “WOS Conference” and be certain to include your phone number.) Your field trips will be held until payment is resolved.
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION
Upon completion of registration, a confirmation email with each person’s selections will be sent to the contact email you provided for each person. Once registration is complete, if you need to add, change or delete items, email your Registrars.
THE PATRICK SULLIVAN YOUNG BIRDERS FUND
WOS promotes birds and birding through the Patrick Sullivan Young Birders Fund, which supports education and research. At the conclusion of your registration, you have the opportunity to make a donation.
WAIVER
Here is the full text of the waiver:
By agreeing to this waiver, I am releasing the Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) from any and all liability while participating in any part of the 2026 annual conference. I am aware that field trips sponsored by WOS may involve certain dangers, including but not limited to, the hazards of traveling and walking in undeveloped and natural areas, transportation by private vehicle, injury or illness in remote places without medical aid, and unforeseen events caused by forces of nature. In consideration for permitting me to participate in field trips, I, for my family, my estate, and myself, hereby waive any right of recovery and claims of liability against WOS, their board members and volunteers, including claims for bodily injury, including death, personal injury and/or damage to property, and release WOS, their board members and volunteers, from such claims and any claims made by others for personal injury or property damage allegedly caused by me. Further, I will hold WOS harmless from any loss or damages resulting from the foregoing waiver and release.
This Release and Indemnity Agreement is a contract, not a mere recital, and it shall remain in effect for all field trips and conference activities. This Release and Indemnity Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of Washington state, and that if any portion is held invalid, the balance shall continue in full legal force and effect.