Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center | 6-8 March 2026
We hope you can join us for the first weekend-long HerpFest in more than a decade! We can only accept the first ~100 registrants (room capacity limit), so please register early.
Venue—We will meet at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center, a biodiversity hotspot that is teeming with herps and many other endemic organisms. We have exclusive use of the field station for the entire weekend.
Housing—This field station has dorm-style rooms with bunk beds (sleeps 24 total). In addition, four rooms with one or two beds each and attached bathrooms are available for those who need them (max capacity: four/room). Total housing max is ~50 persons including beds + cots and/or sleeping bags on floors and in paved areas outside. Once all beds are claimed, remaining registrants will have to sleep on the ground, and once we hit max capacity, attendees will have to secure their own housing off site. Fortunately, Borrego Springs has numerous options for overnight visitors (motels, hotels, short-term rentals, etc.).
Meals—Two breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are included for all registrants. All meals will be relatively simple vegetarian with vegan options (e.g., breakfast: fruit, yogurt, bagels; lunch: build-your-own sandwiches; dinner: salads + chili and spaghetti). There are no cooks on site, so we are responsible for preparing all meals and clean up. Your support in community preparation and/or cleanup is appreciated. Please bring your own drinks if you prefer something other than water, coffee, or tea. The station has a grill for those with more carnivorous tendencies (BYOM).
Fees—Three options are available:
(1) Meals (6) + two nights sleeping on site: $80 (we’re charged per person/night, regardless of sleeping in a bed or on the floor)
(2) Meals (6) + one night sleeping on site: $65
(3) Meals (6) only: $50
Please pay by Monday, 9 February via Venmo to Robert-Espinoza-37 and write HerpFest and name(s) of attendees in the What’s it For box. Refunds can be claimed no later than Friday, 20 February.
Presentations—If you wish to give a presentation (oral or poster), please provide the requested information on the registration site. We will accommodate as many oral presentations as possible, so the number and length of talks (likely 5 or 10 min) will depend on the number of submissions. We appreciate your flexibility. For those who would like to present a poster, there will be wall space for hanging them.
Program Overview—Friday: arrive afternoon/evening, dinner, socializing and/or night driving (weather permitting). Saturday: breakfast, presentations, lunch, presentations, dinner/poster session, night driving and/or travelogue. Sunday: breakfast, pack to-go lunches, clean up, and depart by 11 AM.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Bobby and Brad, HerpFest 2026 co-organizers
HerpFest 2026 logo by Cynthia J. Hitchcock. Stickers available on site for all registrants.