​ANNUAL MEETING OVERVIEW - The program consists of

• Plenary Speaker (Fri)
  
• Technical platform presentations (Fri and Sat) 
  
• Poster presentations during the poster social (Fri)
  
• Short‐course on Ecological Risk Assessment (Thurs)
  
• Raffle (donations appreciated)
  
• Best Student Presentation Awards
  
• Chapter Board meeting (open to all)
  
• Social activities and networking
  

PLENARY SPEAKERS

Jeff Hastings will talk about Landscape Scale Cold-Water Restoration In The Driftless Area Of The Midwest.The Driftless Area (DA) (SE Minnesota, SW Wisconsin, NE Iowa and NW Illinois) was bypassed by the last continental glacier and features steep valleys, sandstone bluffs and more than 600 unique spring-fed creeks and ridges once covered in prairie and scattered oaks. This ancient landscape supports a variety of plants and animals, including dozens of uncommon species of birds of woodland and grassland habitats, reptiles and amphibians, and abundant populations of native fish found in the

high concentration of cold-water streams. Early European settlement and agricultural

practices took a heavy toll on the DA, resulting in devastating erosion and serious

damage to rivers. Land use practices and conservation efforts have helped heal the

land, but the legacy of the past damage is still visible in the sediment-filled valleys,

and steep eroding stream banks. For the past twelve years Trout Unlimited's Driftless
Area Restoration Effort has been working with partners to restore structural diversity,

ecological function and overall health of cold-water streams and the riparian corridors. 

SHORT COURSE

This course, Introduction to Ecological Risk Assessment, will cover the basics of ecological risk assessment of contaminants in the environment emphasizing the guidelines developed by EPA to perform ecological risk assessment. Topics that will be covered include a brief history of the development of the practice of ecological risk assessment, the basics concepts of environmental toxicology and chemistry important to assessing ecological risks of contaminants, and the ecological framework used to perform ecological risk assessment.  The course instructors will use real world case studies based on their own work experience to demonstrate how ecological risk assessments are performed.  Case studies will include both examples of ecological risk assessment performed for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The short course starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. (Centennial Hall). Add the course when you register for the meeting.  Course Instructors:  Charles A. Menzie and Michael Kierski. Both have over 30 years of  experience performing ecological risk assessments for a variety of chemical stressors in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. 

BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETING
The Board of Directors’ meeting will be held on Thursday, March 21, 6:00 to 7:30 PM (location TBD).  All Midwest SETAC members are welcome and encouraged to attend, and we encourage everyone to attend and volunteer with us!

INFORMAL GATHERING THURSDAY EVENING
Please join fellow meeting attendees at an informal “Meet‐n‐Greet” the night before the meeting begins. Check back for the exact location, we are working to locate a pub that is within walking distance o campus. This event is not included in the registration fees (food and beverages are on your own).

MEETING REGISTRATION
The meeting registration fee includes meeting attendance, beverage breaks, lunches, and the evening poster social.Meeting registration does not include annual chapter membership; dues must be paid in addition to the meeting registration fee.. Membership can be purchased during the registration process or onsite, but the SETAC membership at the Chapter or North America levels is not required. Visit the Midwest SETAC Membership web page for more information.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Midwest SETAC has secured a limited number of hotel rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott located at 500 Front Street S, Downtown La Crosse, about 1.5 miles from the meeting location. Nightly rates start at $94 plus tax (currently 17.4%). To receive the conference rate, reservations must be made by March 8, 2019 or until the room block is sold out, whichever comes first. To make a reservation, use the link below or call 608-782-1000 and request the “Midwest SETAC” room block. 

CAMPUS MAPS & PARKING

A map of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse campus can be obtainedwith the button below. 

RAFFLE  - contributions for the RAFFLE will support the student program.  Please bring something to donate and then take your cahnce to win other items!

QUESTIONS / SUGGESTIONS 
If you have questions or suggestions, contact Tham Hoang at thoang@luc.edu (773-508-8194) or any of the member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors.

STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD PROGRAM
Midwest SETAC has established a program to support student travel to our annual meeting. The purpose is to encourage student participation by defraying the cost of attending the annual meeting. All students, including Chicago-area students, are encouraged to apply. A limited number of travel awards (up to approximately $250) will be made for this meeting. Students from the local Chicago-area will be eligible for up to approximately $50. Student Travel Award applications are due 15 February (Friday) 2018 at 11:59 p.m. Central. Awards will be announced by mid-March 2018 and will be awarded directly to the students at the meeting. Interested student applicants should submit the following package of information:

1. Completed Student Award Application.
   
2. A copy the applicant’s abstract the upcoming Midwest Chapter meeting.
3. A one-paragraph of the student’s research goals and accomplishments
   

Note: All student travel award applicants must also be members of Midwest SETAC. For more information (including joining/renewing your membership, application requirements, and limitations), please visit the menu above titled Student Awards. Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:  1) submit an abstract for the upcoming meeting, 2) officially serve as a student representative on the Midwest Board of Directors, 3) represent a student affiliate chapters at the business meeting (1 student/chapter).

Thu, Mar 21    Registration for the Short-Course and Meeting           12:00 p.m. - 2 p.m. 1403 Centennial Hall

                        Short-Course:  Ecological Risk Assessment                1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1403 Centennial Hall

                        Midwest Board Meeting                                                6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 20 Crowley Hall

                        Informal Gather at Local Pub (TBD) (not in mtg reg)   8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.      

                      The Smokin' Blue Lounge in Piggy’s Restaurant (501 Front Street South)                                                                 ________      
Fri, Mar 22     Registration for the Meeting                                         begins ~7:30 a.m.  1300 Centennial Hall

                        Presentations and Plenary Speakers                           8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1309 Centennial Hall`
                        Poster Presentation Session and Poster Social           5:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  E-Café, Room 0110, Student Union      ___    

Sat, Mar 23     Presentations, Lunch, Raffle, Business Meeting,
                        & Awarding of Student Presentation awards, Raffle    8:30 a.m. to ~1 p.m.   1300/1309  Centennial Hall                                                                                                

Terms and Conditions  / Cancellation Policy: 

The registration fee less $50 handling fee will be refunded if the cancellation request is received in writing (email or fax) before 8 March 2018. No refunds are made after this date nor will any refunds be made for non-attendance. However, substitutions for attending may be accommo-dated. To cancel your existing registration, please contact Terresa Murdoch at the SETAC office (terresa.murdoch@setac.org).  To withdraw a presentation or make changes to the presenters, contact thoang@luc.edu as soon as possible. 

IImages from our 2019 Scientific Meeting

The meeting will be held in La Crosse, Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Check out the updated meeting information

• We are pleased to announce the 27th Annual Meeting of the Midwest Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (MWSETAC).
  

• Meeting Theme:  Healthy Ecosystems for a Healthy Life.
  

• Short Course on "Ecological Risk Assessment" on Thursday, March 21st from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Details below. 
  

• All of the meeting will be held at the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse along the bluffs of the Mississippi River.
  

Dates to Remember:
8 Mar          Last day to:

                    -Book hotel room under the Block reserved

                   - Register online (11:59 p.m.)
                   - Cancel registration without penalty

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION (see link at top for submitting abstract)

• Platform presentations are scheduled for 15 minutes with 5 minutes for questions and discussion.
• Poster presentations are scheduled during the evening Poster Social 

Abstract Guidelines:

• Character limits are 250 for the title and 2,500 for the abstract (including spaces).
• Presenters should indicate their preference for type of presentation (platform or poster).
• Students should indicate their desire to be included in the best student presentation competition on their abstract submission. Please visit our Student Awards webpage for more information & eligibility requirements.
  
• Notices of abstract acceptance will be sent via e‐mail at the end of February 2019.
  
• Please note that pending abstract acceptance, the submission of an abstract implies a commitment for the presenting author to register, attend, and present at the 2019 Midwest SETAC Regional Chapter Meeting.