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15th Annual TCBES Symposium
15th Annual TCBES Symposium, 'Aligning with ʻĀina: Cultivating Resilient Communities'
The 15th Annual Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Symposium was held on April 10th and 11th, 2025, from 9 AM to 3:00 PM at UH Hilo Campus Center 301. This year’s theme was "Aligning with ʻĀina: Cultivating Resilient Communities."
The symposium showcased students and researchers in our community who are doing important work to cultivate resilience in both ecosystems and human communities.
The next TCBES Symposium will be held in April 2026.
Moments from the 2025 TCBES Symposium
How to Present
Abstract submission is now closed. They will open again in April 2026.
The TCBES Symposium welcomes undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals to share their research. If you are a student and would like to be considered for student awards, please indicate your student status when submitting your abstract. The first-place oral presentation award is eligible for a prize of up to $100.
Presentation Options:
5-Minute Talk
Ideal for proposing research ideas. No data is required for this presentation format.
10-Minute Talk
A standard conference-length presentation suitable for sharing research results. Please limit your talk to under 12 minutes, leaving 3 minutes for questions and transitions between speakers.
Poster Presentation
Posters may present completed projects, sections of ongoing projects, or works-in-progress. A dedicated poster session will be held during one of the symposium afternoons. Posters should be no larger than 48 x 52 inches and must be printed. Students should consult their advisors regarding poster printing funds. For additional printing questions, please contact an event organizer.
For any questions regarding symposium presentations, please email kctcbes@hawaii.edu.
Awards & Recognition
Our goal is to increase undergraduate and graduate student participation in both oral and poster presentation sessions. To encourage broad participation, this event is free of charge, and prizes will be awarded for outstanding presentations in various categories.
Whether you are a graduate or undergraduate student, faculty member, or agency professional, we invite you to attend, share your work, and learn about the latest research happening within our community.
Silent Auction
The TCBES Symposium and other events throughout the year are funded by proceeds from the annual TCBES Kaiameaola Silent Auction. All proceeds support future club activities and events. This auction is usually in-person only at the TCBES Symposium.
Please read the rules on the Silent Auction below before bidding. For any questions, email kctcbes@hawaii.edu.
Rules for Bidding:
- All bidders must be able to pick up their items in Hilo; shipping is not available.
- To place a valid bid, you must submit your bid amount, full name, and contact information (phone number and/or email) in the product’s comment section.
- Bids placed outside the auction’s start and end times will not be counted.
- The highest qualifying bid wins the item.
- Each new bid must be at least $1 higher than the previous bid to count.
- Accepted payment methods: cash, check, or Venmo. Credit cards, debit cards, crypto, and Cash App payments are not accepted.
- Age restrictions may apply for certain items (e.g., liquor or winery gift cards). A valid ID is required to purchase age-restricted items.
- All sales are final. There are no exchanges or refunds, and items are sold as is. Guests are responsible for items once claimed.
Winners will be announced at the end of the day on the symposium's final day. Items can be claimed after the Symposium closes. Those who do not claim their items that day will be contacted within a day to arrange payment and pickup.