Each year, after the shovels have been put away and waders stowed, a broad cross-section of individuals and organizations interested in salmon and involved in on-the-ground efforts to ensure that important habitats are identified, safeguarded, and restored in the Mat-Su region gather for the Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium. This 2-day event provides a forum for the sharing of information and lessons learned, celebrating of successes, and planning for the future of salmon and their habitat in this region.

Over 120 participants representing dozens of private, non-profit, governmental, and tribal entities met in Wasilla November 7-8 for the 5th annual symposium.  Dr. Bob Lackey from Oregon State University kicked off this year’s event and generated lively discussion with lessons learned from the Pacific Northwest with a presentation titled “Straight Talk about the Future of Salmon.”

This year’s event was particularly special because Corinne Smith, Mat-Su Basin Program Director for The Nature Conservancy, received national recognition for her contribution to aquatic resource conservation. “Corinne has done so much for habitat conservation and scientific research not only in the Mat-Su Basin, but all of Alaska. Congratulations on a well-deserved award” said the National Fish Habitat Partnership’s Board Chair Kelly Hepler. “On behalf of the National Fish Habitat Board, it is an honor to award her with the 2012 Scientific Achievement Award.”

Sue Rodman and Cecil Rich (the ADFG and USFWS statewide National Fish Habitat Partnership Coordinators in Alaska) jointly presented Corinne Smith (4th from right) with the 2012 Scientific Achievement Award from the National Fish Habitat Partnership. 

The Scientific Achievement Award honors outstanding achievement in the use of science to improve fish habitat conservation. Corinne spearheaded the development of the Mat-Su Partnership in 2005 and initiated its strategic planning process. Additionally, she and Marcus Geist developed a map atlas to prioritize conservation of salmon watersheds in the Mat-Su Basin. Through her leadership and advancement of science applications, the accomplishments of the Mat-Su Partnership have steadily expanded.

We are less than one week away from our 5th Annual Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium (November 7-8, 2012)! This year’s theme is linking science and policy for a future with abundant wild salmon in the Mat-Su. 

The 2012 Keynote Speaker is Dr. Bob Lackey, from Oregon State University, where he is a professor of fisheries and political sciences. In his book Salmon 2100: The Future of Wild Pacific Salmon, Dr. Lackey creates an anthology of policy prescriptions to keep salmon in the Pacific Northwest into the next 100 years. Come talk with Dr. Lackey, and discuss how we can apply lessons learned elsewhere, and keep abundant wild salmon in the Mat-Su through 2100!   Dr. Lackey’s full bio…