River Restoration Northwest is dedicated to convening diverse perspectives in the river restoration community.
As the summer season begins, February may feel far off but it’s already time to start planning for the 24th RRNW Symposium coming up February 2-6, 2026.
We are accepting abstracts and sessions proposals starting today and look forward to reading about the exciting work you all want to share!
If you have questions, please contact symposium@rrnw.org.
Submit by using one of the links below:
This year’s themes include:
- The Next Generation: Barriers, Alternative Funding, and the next Big Thing in Restoration
Breaking Bottlenecks, Funding the Future, and Defining Tomorrow’s Priorities - Restoration in the Anthropocene: Balancing Priorities
Focusing on where the river hits the road focusing on the human–nature interface and urban/ecological conflict zones - Restoring the Continuum: Fluvial, Limnological, and Estuarine Restoration
Linking Landscapes Through Water: Restoring Continuity Across Aquatic Ecosystems - Putting the Ecology in Ecological Restoration
Fish, pinnipeds, land conservation, habitat connectivity - Emerging Technologies in Restoration
Remote Sensing and Open-Source tools for advancing the science, prioritization, and planning of river restoration.
Deadline for Oral/Poster Presentation
Abstract and Session Submissions
New this year, abstracts and sessions will have the same timeline for submission.
- Submission start date: June 16, 2025
- Submission deadline: August 22, 2025
Complying with all of these instructions must be received via online submission by 11:59:00 PM PST. Note that incomplete abstracts will not be considered for acceptance.
Instructions
Submissions will only be received electronically, via our online system.
No more than two (2) submissions per person (i.e. Convener, Lead Author, and/or Presenter)
Submissions must not be:
-
- autobiographical;
- commercial/promotional;
Oral/Poster Presentation Abstracts
RRNW session format generally consists of three or four oral presentations that build upon a common theme. Sessions are presented in a plenary format to an audience of 300-400. Presentations should appeal to a broad audience.
The number of accepted oral presentations is limited by our commitment to a plenary format. Therefore, abstract screening is rigorous and competitive. Authors must indicate during the submittal process if they wish to be considered for Oral only, Poster only, or either format.
- Selecting Oral only will result in your abstract will be considered for an oral presentation only.
- Selecting Poster Only will result in your abstract being considered for a poster presentation only.
- Selecting either format will result in your abstract being reviewed first as a candidate for an oral presentation, and if not selected it will be considered as a candidate for a poster presentation.
Authors will be notified of acceptance after the review process is complete.
- Oral presentations are 20 minutes in duration, this includes 5 minutes for audience questions and responses. Oral presentations are grouped into sessions of three to four based on content. Due to limited duration, only one presenter is allowed per presentation.
- Poster presentations are highly valued and encouraged, as they allow extended interaction between authors and symposium participants. Posters are displayed for a full day with an active poster session duration of two hours. Poster authors are expected to be present at their poster exhibit during the poster session. Poster presenters may also elect to provide a 3 minute “lightning talk” presentation during the plenary session.
- Posters are to be traditional large-format hard copy displays. Accepted posters are displayed for a full day; the active poster session will be two hours long, and introduced during the plenary session by the RRNW Poster Moderator. Authors of selected posters are required to submit an electronic introductory slide to the moderator prior to the Symposium for use in the introductory presentation.
- Poster authors are expected to be present at their exhibit station during the poster session.
- Detailed format guidelines and restrictions applying to the Oral presentations and Poster presentations will be provided to all authors after notification of acceptance.
- All accepted presenters are required to register for the symposium and attend the symposium
See examples of previously accepted session proposals and presentation abstracts here:
Selection Criteria
All submissions are subject to review by the program committee, comprised of RRNW Board of Directors. The program committee will review all submissions based on the following:
Relevance to River Restoration – The extent to which the abstract addresses key issues, challenges, or advancements in river restoration.
Impacts and Applications – The potential impact of the research or project on river restoration practices, policies, or broader environmental and social outcomes.
Innovation and Originality – The novelty of the research or project, including new techniques, ideas, or approaches to river restoration.
Clarity and Coherence – The clarity with which the abstract is written, including the organization of ideas, coherence of arguments, and overall readability.
Community Engagement and Involvement – The extent to which the abstract involves project partners, including local communities, policymakers, and other relevant groups, in the research or project.
Thank you for your interest in presenting at RRNW’s Annual Stream Restoration Symposium. If you have questions, please contact symposium@rrnw.org.
Evaluation of submissions may result in decisions to merge or otherwise adjust proposed sessions. RRNW reserves the right to cancel an accepted session if an insufficient number of proposed presentation abstracts are accepted.
All program participants are required to register for in-person attendance at the Symposium.
Resources
- The Makings of a Good RRNW Presentation – some best practice tips based on the abstracts we receive
- Accepted Abstract Examples – examples of previously accepted session proposals and presentation abstracts
Session Proposals must be completed and received by 11:59 PM PST on Tuesday August 1, 2023.
RRNW session format generally consists of three or four oral presentations that build upon a common theme. Sessions are presented in a plenary format to an audience of 300-400.
Session Conveners are to propose a session theme, provide a session abstract describing the proposed theme, and list 3 or 4 oral presentations that support the proposed theme. Presentation topics should acknowledge the range of discipline and perspective among the river restoration community. The program committee may decline to consider session proposals that lack this organization and focus.
Session proposals will be screened for completeness, ranked through a transparent process, and decisions made at least two weeks ahead of the deadline for presentation abstract submissions. Conveners will be notified of session acceptance and are expected to ensure that all proposed presentation abstracts are submitted on time.
Acceptance of a session proposal does not ensure that all presentation abstracts proposed for the session will be accepted. Conveners must work with their presenters to ensure abstract submissions are strong and meet requirements. Each presentation abstract is subject to individual review and ranking, and will be selected on its own merit.
Call for Session Proposals
The Deadline for Session Proposals, Oral Abstracts, and poster abstracts has passed.
Deadline for Session Proposal Submission
Session Proposals complying with all of these instructions must be received via online submission by 3:00 PM PST on Tuesday July 13, 2021.
Instructions
Submissions will only be received electronically.
No more than two (2) submissions per person (i.e. convener, lead author, and/or presenter).
Submissions must not be:
- autobiographical;
- commercial/promotional;
Session Proposals
RRNW session format generally consists of three or four oral presentations that build upon a common theme. Sessions are presented in a plenary format to an audience of 300-400. Presentation should appeal to a broad audience.
Session Conveners are to propose a session theme, provide an abstract describing the proposed theme, and list 3 or 4 oral presentations that support the proposed theme. Presentation topics should acknowledge the range of discipline and perspective among the river restoration community. The program committee may decline to consider session proposals that lack this organization and focus.
Session proposals will be screened for completeness and ranked with decisions made at least two weeks ahead of the deadline for oral abstract submissions. Conveners will be notified of session acceptance and are expected to ensure that all proposed presentation abstracts are submitted on time.
Acceptance of a session proposal does not ensure that all presentation abstracts proposed for the session will be accepted. Conveners must work with their presenters to ensure abstract submissions are strong and meet requirements. Each presentation abstract is subject to individual review and ranking, and will be selected on its own merit.
Evaluation of submissions may result in decisions to merge or otherwise adjust proposed sessions. RRNW reserves the right to cancel an accepted session if an insufficient number of proposed presentations are accepted.
All program participants are required to register for the symposium by January 1, 2022.
See examples of previously accepted session proposal here:
Session Selection Criteria
All submissions are subject to review by the program committee, comprised of the RRNW Board of Directors. The program committee will review all submissions based on the following:
Relevance - to river restoration science and of interest to range of disciplines.
Contribution - to advancement of the science and practice of river restoration.
Originality - to provoke fruitful debate and discussion in the audience.
Creativity – as stimulus for plenary session audience interaction.
Rigor - (esp. for case studies) in approach and monitoring data to support conclusions.
Organization – (for Session Proposals only) with sufficient focus, detail, and variety of component presentations.