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2021 Conference
February 16th, 2021 to February 19th, 2021
A River Runs Through It: People, Wildlife, and Habitat
RiversEdge West’s 19th Annual Research and Management Conference is coming! The 19th Annual Conference will be held in Grand Junction on February 16-19, 2021 at Colorado Mesa University. We invite you to explore the ways in which river restoration impacts people, wildlife, and habitat for native species. In the spirit of collaboration and restoration, RiversEdge West is partnering with The Wildlife Society—Colorado Chapter and The Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University.
Background
RiversEdge West has been conducting riparian restoration research and management conferences with a focus on impacts to riparian habitat in the Southwestern U.S. since 2001. The primary goal of REW’s annual conference is to connect the people managing riparian lands and stream environments with the techniques, scientific findings, lessons learned, and products that help make restoration successful. This venue also serves as a valuable networking opportunity to build relationships that foster innovation and collaboration, present new projects, and advance research.
Share your work or session proposals
The proposed topic(s) should be novel, timely, and interesting to a broad range of managers, scientists, conservationists, and citizens who are working to bring back damaged riparian areas and streams. Submissions that incorporate lessons learned, impacts to wildlife, climate change/adaptation, innovative approaches, applied science, best management practices, and/or analyses of riparian or stream restoration are strongly encouraged. The topic and proposed speakers should not duplicate or substantially overlap sessions previously presented at prior RiversEdge West or Colorado Chapter of The Wildlife Society Conferences.
Potential topics include (but are not limited to):
- Stream and Riparian Restoration Impacts on Wildlife: Does stream restoration create quality aquatic and riparian habitat for wildlife? As we look to the future, what are the key challenges and opportunities for restoring riparian and aquatic habitat?
- Lessons Learned: What have we learned from past stream and riparian restoration experiences? It is much easier to discuss successes but there is a wealth of information gained from restoration efforts that were not able to meet their objectives. What did not work? Would could have been done better? We want to hear about those lessons.
- Revegetation: What native aquatic and riparian plants are you finding successful in your restoration projects or research? E.g. sourcing, successes, failures, alternatives, genetics of effective cultivars.
- Science, Technology, and Monitoring: What technology/tools/guides/research is out there to make restoration tactics and monitoring of results more efficient and effective?
- Climate Change: How can we adapt restoration responses such that they are more likely to be successful in a rapidly changing climate? The profound impacts of climate change on river systems cascade through aquatic and riparian habitats, affecting both the people and wildlife that depend on them. What tools, experiences, and monitoring can we use to develop climate-adapted stream and riparian restoration?
- Fundraising and Grant Writing: What are the limitations to funding and how can we fill them?
Abstracts for oral presentations and symposia are due on October 16, 2020. Abstracts for poster presentations are due January 15, 2021. Email your abstract(s) in a Word document to Cara at ckukuraitis@riversedgewest.org.
Tentative Schedule:
- February 16th: Workshops hosted by The Wildlife Society, 9 am - 5 pm
- February 17th: Concurrent Sessions, and Poster Session/Happy Hour, 8 am - 7:30 pm
- February 18th: Concurrent Sessions, Happy Hour, and/or TWS Banquet Dinner and Auction, 8 am ~ 8 pm
- February 19th: Field trips and Workshops hosted by RiversEdge West, 8 am - 12 pm
Become a Sponsor
Partner with us at the leading riparian restoration conference in the West.
Your sponsorship and/or exhibit space will directly support all aspects of the conference - from scholarships for students and networking events to the cost of facility rental and meals. Willow Sponsors ($1,000) and above receive complimentary registration(s). Cottonwood Sponsors ($2,500) and above also receive complimentary exhibit space. Learn more about sponsor benefits here.
To become a sponsor, make an online donation, mail in a check, call us at (970) 256-7400 or email Cara at Ckukuraitis@riversedgewest.org.
Exhibitors
Conference attendees are taking a leading role in restoring riparian ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and are an important audience for your organization’s message. Since we are partnering with The Wildlife Society this year, you'll have the unique opportunity of reaching an even broader audience. We are expecting upwards of 400 people in attendance.
Your presence as an exhibitor increases your visibility at the Conference and provides the opportunity to interact with restoration and wildlife-minded professionals from across the West; from land managers and researchers to landowners, non-profits, agencies, and private individuals. One conference registration is included per exhibit table.
To reserve your exhibit space, select the appropriate exhibitor category during your conference registration (opening in the Fall of 2020).
More information coming soon!
To view our past conferences, click here.
RiversEdge West's
mission is to advance the restoration of riparian lands through collaboration, education, and technical assistance.
