The call for 2027 Symposium Abstracts and Sessions opens soon.
- Submission start date: June 15, 2026
- Submission deadline: August 21, 2026
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
- RRNW Poster Presentation Guidelines – guidelines for posters intended to improve the uniformity, quality, and overall professionalism of poster presentations
2027 Symposium Themes include:
Project Failures: Lessons Learned
Failure is an inherent part of innovation, yet it is often underreported. Projects that fall short of expectations can provide some of the most valuable insights for improving future work. What unexpected outcomes have forced you to rethink your approach? Were there overlooked processes, site conditions, or assumptions that altered project trajectories? How can we create space within our field to openly share failures and integrate those lessons into better design, monitoring, and adaptive management practices?
Creative Funding Sources & Solutions
Funding remains one of the greatest barriers to implementing and monitoring restoration efforts. As funding opportunities become more scarce and competition increases, practitioners are called upon to find innovative ways to finance restoration implementation and monitoring. What unconventional funding mechanisms have you leveraged? How can partnerships, community investment, or cross-sector collaboration unlock new opportunities? Are there models that successfully integrate restoration funding with broader social, economic, or climate resilience goals?
Estuary Restoration
Estuaries are among the most productive yet heavily altered ecosystems, serving as critical transition zones for fish, wildlife, and human communities. How do we design projects that align with natural water level fluctuations and sediment regimes? What can we learn from historical estuary extents to guide present-day recovery? Where are the priority habitats and emerging hotspots for restoration activity across the region? We want to hear about your spruce swamps!
Water Management and Irrigation as a Restoration Tool
Drought and climate variability make water a less reliable resource year-after-year. Water management and agricultural production can be used to support ecological function. Where and how can we effectively apply managed aquifer recharge? Are there projects where irrigation system improvements have increased in-stream flows?
Restoration under Invasion: Adapting to Invasive Species
Invasive species are a major concern in many restoration projects and one of the leading threats to juvenile salmonids. What strategies have proven effective in managing persistent invaders like reed canary grass? How do invasive aquatic species, from mussels to predatory fish, influence restoration success? Can restoration design itself be used as a tool to resist or outcompete aquatic invasive species like small mouth bass and brook trout?
Restoration for Risk Management: Wildfire & Flood Risk
As climate change intensifies disturbance regimes, restoration is increasingly being called upon to reduce risk to both ecosystems and human communities. Wildfires and floods are reshaping river systems in ways that challenge conventional design and management approaches. How do post-wildfire changes in sediment supply, hydrology, and wood dynamics affect restoration priorities? In what ways can restoration projects align with flood risk reduction frameworks such as FEMA Public Assistance or mitigation programs? What regulatory or policy shifts are needed to better integrate restoration into risk management strategies?
Deadline for Oral/Poster Presentation
Abstract and Session Submissions
Same as last year, abstracts and sessions will have the same timeline for submission.
- Submission start date: June 15, 2026
- Submission deadline: August 21, 2026
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.
The call for 2026 Symposium Abstracts and Sessions has closed.
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.
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.