2024 Mat-Su Salmon Science & Conservation Symposium

Registration and call for abstracts has opened for the 17th annual Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium in Palmer, Alaska! The Symposium is a forum to share the latest scientific research, restoration and conservation efforts related to salmon and their habitat in Matanuska-Susitna basin. It is also an opportunity to discuss challenges, new ideas, and network with a broad range of attendees. We hope you will join us!

Please consider sharing a poster, 15-minute oral presentation, 3-minute tidbit update, or come to learn, discuss and network! Presentation abstracts are due Thursday October 18th, 2024. Find presentation guidelines .

Register by October 30th to be included in the Symposium booklet.

This year’s Symposium theme is Making the invisible, visible: Unravelling freshwater mysteries through science and storytelling, and we have four keynote presenters who will highlight different aspects of this theme!

Founder and director, Jeremy Monroe, and award-winning natural history photographer, David Herasimtschuk of Freshwaters Illustrated will present Seeing and Sharing Freshwater Ecosystems Through a Wider Lens: Reflections from 20 Years of Educational Filmmaking. This will be a recorded presentation on the morning of Monday, November 18th, followed by a virtual Question and Answer with the keynotes. Freshwaters Illustrated is a non-profit whose mission is to raise public awareness about the life, study, and conservation of freshwater ecosystems through visual media and storytelling.

Dr. Jenifer McIntyre is an Associate Professor of aquatic toxicology at Washington State University’s School of the Environment. In 2020, Dr. McIntyre and colleagues discovered a novel chemical called 6PPD-quinone leaching from vehicle tires that is one of the most acute toxicants known to science, explaining acute die-offs of coho salmon in roadway-impacted watersheds. On the morning of Tuesday, November 19th, Dr. McIntyre will talk about 6PPD-quinone in the Pacific Northwest: Its impact, discovery and how it is being addressed. Dr. Patrick Tomco is an Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Lab at University of Alaska Anchorage and will follow Dr. McIntyre’s presentation with an update on the status of our knowledge about 6PPD-quinone here in Alaska! Both Drs. McIntyre and Dr. Tomco will present in-person at the Palmer Depot, in Palmer, Alaska.

We are excited to share these amazing presenters and their work! Learn more at www.matsusalmon.org.

To assist in cost recovery for hosting the Symposium, please note that registration prices have increased to $50/person/day this year. Student tickets remain free, and there are also additional scholarship opportunities. If cost would prohibit attendance, please reach out. We want to ensure the Symposium is as accessible as possible.

Have questions? Contact [email protected].

Host or Publisher Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership