The 18th Annual Mat-Su Salmon Science & Conservation Symposium was held on November 20th and 21st, 2025, and it was a tremendous success! We extend our sincere thanks to all the partners, researchers, community leaders, and conservationists who joined us for two days of collaborative discussion, knowledge sharing, and strategic planning under the theme, “Reflecting on the Past, Looking to the Future.” The event was particularly significant as the Partnership celebrates 20 years of collaborative conservation. The Symposium featured a compelling keynote address on Mat-Su’s changing climate and launched the next update to the Partnership’s Strategic Action Plan. For a full recap of the highlights, key topics, and information on when presentations will be posted, please visit the Symposium page.
Mat-Su Salmon Science & Conservation Symposium, November 20th and 21st, 2025
The Mat-Su Salmon Symposium is coming up fast, but registration is still open! Join us for the 18th annual Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium, November 20th and 21st, 2025 at the Palmer Community Center Depot in Palmer, Alaska! The Symposium is an annual forum to share information about salmon and their habitat in the Mat-Su Basin. Find 2025 Agenda here and booklet.
This years keynote speaker is Rick Thoman, climate specialist with the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Join us for his in-person talk, Mat-Su’s Changing Environment: Connecting the Past, Present and Future on Thursday, November 20th from 9:30am to 10:30am at the Palmer Depot. To attend the keynote talk remotely, sign up for a free virtual ticket on the registration site. We are excited to share over 20 amazing presenters and their work!
Don’t forget to join us for the evening salmon social on Thursday, November 20th from 4pm to 7pm at the Matanuska Brewing Company! Anyone interested in fish and their conservation is welcome. Learn more by clicking on the flyer. Special thanks to Matanuska Brewing Company for generously hosting!
The call for oral and poster presentations has closed, but there’s still opportunity to share 3-minute ‘”tidbit” updates — quick, informal project highlights, event announcements or other fishy related updates. Sign up on-site at the Palmer Depot for the day you’d like to present (first come, first served). No abstract or write-up required!
Find more information on the Symposium webpage at www.matsusalmon.org.
Want to be more Involved in the Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership? Join the Steering Committee!
The Steering Committee is the guiding body for the Partnership which brings together nearly 70 organizations and individuals who share a vision of thriving salmon, healthy habitats, and vibrant communities in the Mat-Su. The 10-person Steering Committee ensures that the Partnership follows guidelines set forth by the National Fish Habitat Partnership and achieves goals set out in the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership 2019 Addendum to the Strategic Action Plan.
The Partnership is currently accepting applications for two at-large seats, one local government and one Tribal seat. To learn more about the operations of the Partnership see Mat-Su Salmon Partnership Structure and Operations Framework, and contact the Partnership coordinator with questions or to be put in touch with a Steering Committee member.
If you are interested, send a letter explaining why you want to join the Steering Committee and what you can do to help the Partnership achieve its goals. Send the letter to Jessica Speed (jessica.speed@tu.org) by Noon, June 27th, 2025.
Thank you to Matt Varner (BLM), Maija DiSalvo (unaffiliated) and Theo Garcia (Knik Tribal Council) for their excellent service on the Steering Committee and commitment to the Partnership!
Find a list of current Partnership standing committee members here.
Some Partnership Steering Committee members after a 2023 meeting in Palmer: (left to right) Michael Mazzacavallo/Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Laurie Stuart/Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, Theo Garcia/Knik Tribal Council, Ted Eischeid/Mat-Su Borough. Jessica Speed/Trout Unlimited, Partnership Coordinator (center of photo).
Angler Conservation Funding Opportunity
The NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation and the Recreational Fisheries Initiative are seeking to identify and support projects within coastal Fish Habitat Partnerships (FHPs) that protect or restore habitat AND engage recreational fishing partners.
Read full request for proposals here. Proposals are due by April 18th, 2025
Find summaries of FY23 funded projects – including one in the Mat-Su, here.
Mat-Su Salmon Symposium is Next Week!
Please join us for the 17th annual Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium from 9am to 4pm November 18th and 19th at the Palmer Community Depot (the Depot) in Palmer. The Symposium is a forum to share information on Mat-Su Basin watersheds, salmon, and salmon habitat, promoting an exchange of ideas about salmon science and conservation.
Read the agenda here and see the Symposium booklet – hot off the press! The Partnership is also hosting an evening social and music jam at Feather & Flour in Palmer. Everyone welcome. Find more information on the 2024 Symposium webpage, and register here. Contact jessica.speed@tu.org with questions.
Photo credit: David Herasimtschuck/Freshwaters Illustrated.
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