Registration is open for the 19th annual Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium! Join us November 19 and 20, 2026 at the Palmer Depot in Palmer, Alaska (610 S. Valley Way).
Whether you are a scientist, conservation practitioner, local leader, or simply someone passionate about wild salmon, this gathering is for you. Join around 100 others who care about Mat-Su salmon to share information, spark new collaborations, and celebrate the Matanuska and Susitna River watersheds. See event flyer.
*NEW!: Be among the first 20 people to register and get a free 16oz. stainless steel mug with the Partnership’s logo on it! Must be at the Symposium to pick it up!
Got compelling research, a successful restoration project, or fresh insight to share with the community? The call for presentation proposals is open. We welcome diverse perspectives and topics related to salmon and their habitat in the Mat-Su.Presentation options include 12-minute oral presentation, poster presentation or short 3-minute maximum “tid-bit” update.
Presentation abstracts for oral and poster presentations due by October 23rd. Read presenter guidelines for more details.
This year’s Keynote speakers:
Dr. William Atlas has spent two decades working in partnership with local and Indigenous communities to develop salmon monitoring and conservation programs. He serves as Wild Salmon Center’s director of Innovation and Sustainable Fisheries, and is co-founder of the Salmon Vision collaborative, a mission-driven AI company co-developing AI tools for salmon conservation and management alongside conservation practitioners from Alaska to California. He holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from Simon Fraser University where he was supported by a Hakai Research Fellowship and worked closely with the Heiltsuk First Nation to develop the Koeye River weir, a community-led project now entering it’s 15th season of operation. Currently he serves as the Central Coast First Nations representative on the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Northern Panel, as well as a member of the Central Coast Management Council’s coho technical working group and population benchmarks subcommittee. He is lead or coauthor on more than 25 peer reviewed research papers spanning diverse topics including fisheries co-governance, salmon ecology and population dynamics, and the application of AI in salmon conservation. His talk, titled Local Stewardship of Wild Salmon Promotes Sustainable Fisheries, Resilient Populations, & Enduring Cultural Connections, will focus on what he’s learned over two decades of partnership with local and Indigenous communities who are leading the way towards a more sustainable future for wild salmon..y tuned for more details about his upcoming talk on Thursday morning, November 19th.
Amy Bushatz is the founder, editor and reporter for the Mat-Su Sentinel, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news website covering Mat-Su. Amy and her family moved to Mat-Su in 2016 following her husband’s active duty Army service. A journalist with more than 20 years of news writing and editing experience, Amy launched the Mat-Su Sentinel in 2024 because she saw a gap in consistent, accurate news reporting in the region and wanted to be part of the solution. Amy holds a master’s degree in public service from the University of San Francisco and is a 2019 graduate of the George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. Join Amy on Friday morning, November 20th for a presentation on working with the media. Participants will learn how journalists find and shape stories, demystify the media, and how to communicate with elected officials and members of the public. The session will include a memorable and interactive workshop on crafting your story.
We are so excited to share these amazing presenters with you!!
Cost: To assist in cost recovery for hosting the Symposium, registration is $50/person/day. Tribal members, students and community members are free. There are also additional scholarship opportunities. If cost would prohibit attendance, please reach out. We want to ensure the Symposium is as accessible as possible. Price includes lunch & refreshments.
Have questions? Contact jessica.speed@tu.org. Thank you to our generous Symposium supporters shown on the flyer!
*Flyer banner photo credit: Jeff Fischer, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
