Welcome
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 2011 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The meeting will take place at the Hilton in Minneapolis, July 6-11. The 2011 JMIH includes the 27th annual meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society, the 54th annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, the 69th annual meeting of the Herpetologists’ League, and the 91st annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.
Located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis is a fantastic city harboring numerous lakes and waterfalls that were sculpted by receding glaciers of the last ice age. We are confident that you will find Minneapolis to be a very inviting location for the meetings. Minneapolis and its twin city, St. Paul, have a variety of activities to offer those attending the meeting, as well as traveling companions. Minneapolis is second only to New York City in live theater per capita – The Guthrie, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and Cowles Center are just a few of the many locations where the city’s renowned performing arts scene can be enjoyed. Those interested in the arts will want take some time to browse the collections at Walker Arts Center, Weisman Art Museum, and Minneapolis Institute of the Arts. Meeting goers traveling with children will find the Bell Museum of Natural History’s Touch-and-See Room, the Children’s Museum, Como Park Zoo, riverboat cruises, bicycle and watercraft rentals, and the Science Museum of Minnesota particularly welcoming. And of course, for those shopping enthusiasts, the Mall of America is located just 15 minutes away from downtown Minneapolis.
Our meeting will be held at the luxurious and centrally located Hilton on Marquette Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Within easy walking distances of the hotel, you will find a wide variety of restaurants, pubs, and establishments for evening entertainment. Those with a penchant for ethnic cuisines will want to take some time to explore Lake Street, which can be reached with a short bus or taxi ride, or search this website to discover the cities’ rich culinary diversity.
In addition to the myriad of hiking/biking trails and wonderful public gardens found throughout the cities, travelers and outdoor enthusiasts will want to experience at least some of what Minnesota has to offer beyond the limits of the Twin Cities. Hiking trails along deeply carved river valleys await in southeastern Minnesota’s Driftless Area. Spend a few days exploring the upper Mississippi River and its river towns. A two hour drive NNE brings you to Duluth and the shores of Lake Superior, where you can enjoy the vibrant downtown waterfront, or continue north to visit a series of scenic state parks and waterfalls along the forested shores, to the harbor town of Grand Marais, or up towards the Canadian border and the Grand Portage National Monument (and don't forget to keep an eye out for Lake Superior whales while driving along the shore). A four hour drive to the NNW brings you to Lake Itasca and the source of the Mississippi River. And, for meeting goers looking to turn their trip into a real adventure, thousands of pristine lakes and legendary fishing are calling you in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness along the Canadian border.
Located just to the south of the boreal-forest ecotone, Minneapolis is generally quite pleasant in July – the average maximum daytime temperature is 83 degrees, with evening temperatures often falling into the low sixties (but please check the weather forecast since it is quite possible that we will have highs in the 90s, and lows can be in the 40s if we have a cold front move through).
We expect a large turnout for the 2011 Joint Meeting and unparalleled scientific and social interactions. We look forward to seeing you in the City of Lakes this summer!
Ken Kozak
Local Host Committee
Ken Kozak, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota
Pat Ceas, St. Olaf College
John Moriarty, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota