DVOC Banquet 2026 - featuring speaker Aaron Coolman

It's that magical time of year again... banquet season!

Join us on Friday, October 23rd, 2026 at 6:30pm for a tasty buffet-style dinner and presentation by Aaron Coolman. Aaron will explore the life history of Northern Saw-whet Owls. In addition, he will guide us through his ongoing saw-whet research, as well as highlighting the results and efforts of other researchers from around the continent. Aaron’s work leverages advanced wildlife telemetry and analysis to better understand saw-whet annual cycles.

Please note this year's event is on a Friday night!

Where: 1301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19147
When: Friday, October 23rd at 6:30 pm
Tickets: $59

Schedule:
6:30pm: Cocktail Hour with Cash Bar
7:30pm: Buffet-Style Dinner & Presentation by speaker Aaron Coolman

The Histories and Mysteries of Northern Saw-whet Owls

Speaker: Aaron Coolman
Aaron will explore the life history of Northern Saw-whet Owls. In addition, he will guide us through his ongoing saw-whet research, as well as highlighting the results and efforts of other researchers from around the continent. Aaron’s work leverages advanced wildlife telemetry and analysis to better understand saw-whet annual cycles.

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Aaron is pursuing a Master’s in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He also holds a position as an Avian Ecologist and Motus Coordinator at Willistown Conservation Trust in Chester County. Originally from Ohio, he has lived in the mid-Atlantic for 10 years, with a brief stint traveling as a seasonal biologist working and volunteering on various projects from breeding marsh bird surveys in the Chesapeake Bay and waterfowl productivity counts in the Prairie Potholes, to waterbird migration watches in the Great Lakes and owl banding at remote research sites.

Menu (Buffet-Style)

Garden Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette (v) or Ranch

Entrees:
Chicken Française
Penne Pasta Primavera with sautéed vegetables in a red sauce (v)
Center Cut Sirloin Steak

Sides:
Rosemary Red Bliss Potatoes (v)
Wild Rice Blend
Sautéed Vegetable Medley (v)
Asparagus (v)

Dessert:
Cheesecake

Cash Bar
(v) = vegan

All are welcome.
Questions? Email banquet@dvoc.org

Where: Sheet Metal Workers International Association, 1301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA
When: November 21st at 6.30pm

Join us for another year of food and fun at our Annual Banquet & Art Show! This year's event will feature ABA President Jeff Gordon as our speaker. All are welcome to attend, and artists of all levels are encouraged to bring an original piece to display in the pop-up art show. Questions? DVOCbanquet@gmail.com.

Can't attend? Donate tickets instead.

Speaker: Jeff Gordon
It’s Too Late to Stop Now: Sharing the Gospel of Birding in the 21st Century

The American Birding Association, founded in 1969, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2019. Join ABA President Jeffrey Gordon for a celebration of the power of birding to heal and transform, not only our own lives but even our world.

Jeff will share some of the highlights of the ABA’s first half century and from his own 40+ years as a birder. But most of all, he will talk about the path to 2069 and how we advance boldly toward making the world a better place for the birds and birders who will follow us.

Join us for a humorous, heartfelt, and opinionated look at the joys, virtues and occasional frustrations of a life spent birding, the road we’ve traveled together, and what lies ahead.

Jeffrey Gordon is the president of the American Birding Association, a position he has held since late 2010. Jeff is also a well-known writer, photographer, tour leader, and naturalist. He is a frequent speaker and field trip leader at various birding and nature festivals. He is a DVOC member and has helped support Bird Philly as a rider on our World Series of Birding team. For more information on the ABA and on Jeff, visit www.aba.org

Speaker: Kevin Karlson & Pete Dunne
"BIRDS OF PREY”
Kevin Karlson and Pete Dunne will provide a visually stunning program that reflects the mood and content of a new book (Birds of Prey) by Pete Dunne and Kevin Karlson (April 2017, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers). The show starts with a video introduction by Pete, and then Pete’s recorded words explain the concept of the book as images of raptors are shown. All the raptor groups are then briefly presented by Kevin, with images from the book and special stories about birds of prey shared. A special musical ending highlights some of the most spectacular raptor images ever assembled by 19 top North American photographers. Kevin will be available to sign copies of their newly released book (April, 2016, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers, Boston MA)

DVOC Members and Non-Members – Everyone Welcome – Bring Guests!!

Menu

Select one from 4 Menu Options:

1. Herb-Stuffed Chicken w/ Mango and Fire-Roasted Red Peppers
2. Fresh Grilled Vegetable Plate w/ Eggplant, Peppers, and Asparagus (Vegan)
3. Roast Beef
4. Blackened Ginger Catfish

Includes Mixed Green Salad w/ Champagne Vinaigrette, Herb-Roasted Potatoes,
Grilled Broccolini, and Mango Mousse Cake w/ Berries or Vegan Fruit Plate

Cash bar is available

Parking is free.

Get Tickets

If you cannot pay by PayPal, please contact dvocbanquet@gmail.com to arrange alternate forms of payment. You can still submit the form above to record your menu choices and then exit out of the PayPal page.

If you would rather submit a paper form, you can download it here and send it along with a check to the address provided in the form.

The Witmer Stone Award, the Julian K. Potter Award and the Rosalie Edge Conservation Award are presented at the annual banquet.

Lauren Diamond - Chairperson (dvocbanquet@gmail.com)
Anita Guris
Bernice Koplin
Brittany Stewart

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