Keystone Coldwater Conference

The Keystone Coldwater Conference is a significant event focused on the conservation, protection, and restoration of Pennsylvania's coldwater streams, which are vital habitats for wild trout and other species. Set to take place at the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel & Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania, this conference draws an average of 200 participants from a diverse community, including college students, faculty, conservation professionals, anglers, and watershed volunteers. The 2027 conference, themed "Defending and Restoring Coldwater Habitat in a Changing Pennsylvania Landscape," emphasizes the dual mission of protecting healthy streams while addressing the restoration of degraded ones. This theme is particularly pertinent as development pressures and shifting weather patterns continue to impact Pennsylvania's natural resources.
The conference will feature a well-established program that includes educational workshops on Friday, followed by an evening social and a student poster session. Saturday will consist of a plenary session and concurrent breakout presentations that cover various topics such as restoration, protection, advocacy, education, and community engagement. Organizers will also issue a Call for Presentations later this summer, inviting researchers, practitioners, agency professionals, and volunteers to submit proposals for presentations and posters, fostering a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. The Keystone Coldwater Conference is hosted by the Coldwater Heritage Partnership, which provides funding, technical assistance, and recognition for the evaluation and protection of coldwater streams in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with various organizations including the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.