Due to the temporary closure of the McGuire Center (MGCL) for renovations, next year’s combined meeting of SLS & ATL offers us an unusual new opportunity. We’ve settled on a fun and interesting off-campus site for our traditional conference, described below. The lepidopteran fauna of the new venue (Cuscowilla) was the subject of a 2025 study by several of our SLS-ATL specialists; the published report was brought to fruition by David Fine and Montana Atwater in a fine recent issue of Southern Lepidopterists’ News (August 2025, attachment n2).
The planning now underway for the April 2026 meeting is reminding us of the myriad details Debbie Matthews has so selflessly arranged in the past, allowing us all to enjoy an uninterrupted series of stellar joint meetings. Our sincere thanks are extended to Debbie for her years / decades of devoted work! She richly deserves the coming year of ‘decompression’, as she hands the reins over to us.
Launching our meeting at a new, temporary venue will be a new experience, and in the coming weeks we will invite (need! / encourage / coerce!) volunteers to help with some of the preparations. This winter, we will circulate a volunteer sign-up sheet, seeking help in accomplishing specific tasks. Any assistance offered by our members, Santa’s elves, or our extended circle of friends will be much, much appreciated !!
Sincerely, SLS-ATL Annual Meeting co-Chairs JFD (John) & MCM (Marc)
Call for Papers (downloadable)
Registration Form (downloadable)
You can also make your payment on the TLS site here.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENTS
►[Due date for REGISTRATION is March 21, 2026.] ►[Keith Willmott has offered to be the ‘single payer’ for larger, anticipated expenses, via ATL checks.] ►[Jeff Slotten will keep track of SLS & ATL volunteers’ incidental expenses (e.g., veggie trays, misc. supplies).]
MEETING LOCATION & DATE – Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center, 10 mi. south of Gainesville, Florida, from Friday to Sunday, 17-19 April 2026 (shown in attachment 2; map, attachment 3).
VENUE & COLLECTING, Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center (Micanopy)
►[Our 2026 contact person at Cuscowilla is: Ms. Jamie Bass (Tel. (352) 574-2372, <>).] ►[Blacklighting & moth-collecting are welcomed every night.] ►[New moon is April 16-17.] ►[Vaughn Shirey from MGCL will help with communal light sheet(s).]
SCIENTIFIC TALKS – Fri. aft.[optional] & Sat. morn.-aft.-eve.; no talks are currently planned for Sun.
►[In-person and recorded talks will be scheduled, but no LIVE virtual talks.] ►[Titles & abstracts must be received by March 15, 2026, to be included in the printed program.]
BUSINESS MEETINGS of ATL & SLS
►[Our 2026 contact person for the Zoom connecting is: Joe Martinez (Tel. (786) 650-9753).] ►[ALL lepidopterists are welcome at both of these meetings!!]
LODGING & ROOM BLOCKS
- - - - - - ● Motel chains nearby - Several well-regarded establishments offer reasonably-priced accommodations in the Gainesville area. ►[Some of these are listed here: <https://www.booking.com/city/us/gainesville>.] - - - - - - - - - - ● Cuscowilla itself - On-site accommodations are available. ►[Our 2026 contact person at Cuscowilla is, as above: Ms. Jamie Bass (Tel. (352) 574-2372 <>).] ►[n=5 cabins are being held for us (at $100 each per night) for the period April 16 (early arrivals) to April 20 (late departures). Each cabin accommodates 20 guests, and each room is outfitted with double bunks.] - - - - - - - - - - ● Hilton UF Conference Center, Gainesville ►[Our 2026 contacts at Hilton UF in Sales (Tel. (352) 371-3600) are: Kjërstin Terry, Kristin Bond, & Christina Rodenwoldt (Tel. (352) 384-3412).] ►[n=10 Standard King rooms ($249./night) are being held for us for Thursday through Sunday, April 16-20, as follows: Apr.16, 5 rooms; Apr.17,10 rooms; Apr.18,10 rooms; Apr.19, 5 rooms.] ►[Our 2026 booking link for making reservations is: < https://group.hilton.com/jjbg2l >.] ►[Our event name is Southern Lepidopterists’ Society.] ►[The 2026 release date for our 10 held rooms (after which they will be available to the general public) Is March 16.] - - - - - - - - - - ● Sweetwater Branch Inn, Gainesville ►[Our 2026 contacts at Sweetwater (Tel. (352) 373-6760) are: Ginny Schatzman (Tel. (352) 373-6760, <>) & owner & General Mgr. Cornelia Holbrook (a long-time friend of lepidopterology).] ►[n=5 units are being held for us for the weekend of the meeting, Apr.16-20.] ►[Room choices can be made individually, from among the illustrations & descriptions at <https://www.sweetwaterspa.com/lodging>.] ►[To reserve units individually, please call at your earliest convenience.] ►[The 2026 release date for these units is March 16.] - - - - - - - - - - ● Herlong Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Micanopy (attachments 4,5) ►[Our contact is owner & nature-lover Kim Shore (Tel. (352) 466-3322 OR cell (352) 278-6284, <>).] ►[n=11 units in this beautiful mansion are being held for us for Apr.17&18.] ►[Room choices can be made individually, from among the illustrations & descriptions at <https://herlong.com/portfolio/herlong-suite>.] ►[Rates are based on double occupancy.] ►[Prospective guests are encouraged to make individual arrangements at their earliest convenience.] ►[The 2026 release date for these units is March 1.]
MEALS
- - - - - - - - - ● Overall (snacks & carry-out) - - - - - 1. Publix Catering, Gainesville, e.g., at Butler Plaza West (Tel. (352) 375-2968) ►[A wide variety of offerings are available, including, e.g., deli platters, fruit & vegetable platters, dessert platters, party trays.] 2. Blue Highway Pizzeria in Micanopy, along U.S.441 (Tel. (352) 466-0062) ►[Our 2026 contact is Frank, Mgr., <>.] ►[Menu is online.] 3. Pearl Country Store & Barbecue in Micanopy, along U.S.441 (Tel. (352) 466-4025) ►[Our 2026 contacts are James (Catering Mgr.), Serenity, & Damon.] ►[Dinner & lunch platters: pick up in bulk, they can help serve.] - - - - - - - - - - ● Thursday - Local sources (Overall, above). - - - - - - - - ● Friday 1. light snacks, soft drinks (lemonade, iced tea) - Local sources. 2. pizzas, veggie trays, soft drinks - Local sources. - - - - - - - - - ● Saturday - - - - - Lunch 1. Lunch on Saturday: Subway sandwiches will be provided for us thanks to the generosity of Tom and Ada Neal (<>).] 2. Gluten-free pizzas are available from Blaze Pizza (Tel. (352) 377-6644 (alternatively, Five Star Pizza). These will be picked up & brought to Cuscowilla if desired. ►[Our 2026 contact at Blaze Pizza is Sherry, Mgr.] - - - - - - - Dinner 1. Dinner on Saturday at Cuscowilla will be catered (self-serve, buffet-style) by Hill’s BBQ of Gainesville. ►[Our 2026 contacts at Hill's BBQ & Catering (Tel. (352) 376-8072, <>) are: Paul Anderson, Amy (scheduling), & Michael.] ►[Alcohol at Cuscowilla will be okay if brought in and handled privately (e.g., in coolers).] 2. Menu choices have been submitted to Hill’s BBQ, and gluten-free options will be available. 3. For advice on purchase of spirits, online advice is recommended: Evite’s Drink Calculator, .] - - - - - - - - - - - ● Sunday - Local sources (Overall, above).