2012 Dreissena Mussel Early Detection Monitoring Methods and Quality Assurance Workshops

Two workshops addressing critical impediments to the expansion of Western early detection monitoring programs

February 7-10 2012
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth Texas

Organized by Kevin Kelly, Marc Frischer, and Sandra Nierzwicki-Bauer 

• Preliminary Announcement
• Final Agenda for Best Parctices Workshop (Feb 7-8)
• Final Agenda for Laboratory Standards Workshop (Feb 9-10)

• List of those who registered
• On-line Registration (Closed)

• Lodging Suggestions
• Map of Hotels & Parking in Downtown Fort Worth
• Campus Map and Parking Information for TCU (see Workshop Venue below)
• Tuesday Night Dinner
  We are planning an informal get-together for dinner on Tuesday night (Feb. 7) at Fort Worth's famous Riscky's BBQ.
  We are not charging a conference fee, so the cost for dinner will be the responsibility of those attending the dinner.
  Please join us for a beverage and some Texas BBQ (or a salad) after our first day of the workshop.
  We'll meet at Riscky's (300 Main St. near Sundance Square) at 7:00 pm.
   

• The closest airport is the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), 18 miles from downtown Fort Worth.
• If possible, a rental car is recommend because the workshop at TCU is about 4.5 miles from downtown Fort Worth (lodging and evening dining).
• Alternatively you may choose to take a taxi or ride the Trinity Railway Express Train from DFW and then share a ride to TCU each day.
  A taxi from DFW Airport to downtown will cost approximately $45 dollars, excluding tip.
  The TRE Train will cost $3.50 from DFW to either of the two stations in Downtown Fort Worth
  If you plan to take the train, we recommend the Omni Hotel, as it is the closest hotel to a TRE station (they are adjacent).
  
• David Britton will try to coordinate shared rides to TCU if you need assistance.

• Technical staff and researchers involved in Dreissena spp. early detection and monitoring programs.
• Resources managers and decision makers involved in the mitigation of aquatic nuisance species.
• Stakeholders concerned about the spread of Dreissena spp. in North America.

• The workshop will be held on the Campus of Texas Christian University (TCU)
• Tues, Wed, and Thurs (Feb 7-9) we will meet in The Chambers room in Brown-Lupton University Union (Stadium Drive)
• On Friday (Feb 10) we will meet in the Tucker Technology Center (West Bowie Street)
• Here is a TCU Campus Map
• You may park anywhere on campus that is not a reserved spot or lot. TCU Police have agreed not to ticket.
• Floor Plan of the Brown-Lupton Univeristy Union
• The meeting and parking locations highlighted on a campus map (Yellow= Tues, Wed, and Thurs, Green=Friday)

Workshop Products
The product of the first technical workshop will include a detailed report providing clear guidance for laboratories involved in analyzing plankton samples for the presence of Dreissena mussel larvae. Participants will be given the opportunity to contribute to the development of this report during and following the workshop.

The product of the second workshop will be to establish critical community support for a regulatory laboratory accreditation program and provide a roadmap for the development and implementation of such a program. Both workshops will directly address critical needs required to expand early-detection monitoring programs in the Western Region. The report from this workshop will be delivered to the Laboratory Standards working group within the Western Regional Panel. This group has been chartered to explore the development of a laboratory standards program for early detection of Dreissena mussel larvae in plankton samples.