SALISH SEA ECOSYSTEM CONFERENCE

April 21 - 22, 2020 in Vancouver, BC

Call for Sessions - Deadline for Submission: July 12, 2019

The Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference brings together scientists, researchers, decision-makers, managers and knowledge-holders from First Nations and Tribes, agencies, community organizations, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and academia. Participants present the latest scientific research on the state of the ecosystem, share information about the application of knowledge from science and other sources, and guide future actions for protecting and restoring the Salish Sea Ecosystem.

The theme for this year's conference is "Shared Knowledge for the Future." An important aim of this conference is to work toward strategies for recovery and management that integrate across cultures, disciplines, and boundaries, and bring knowledge to action.

To this end, the conference conveners are calling for session proposals from the Salish Sea community. Sessions are groups of presentations that are organized around a unified topic. Each session is scheduled for 1½ hours and includes a collection of presentations.

Given the multi-sector nature of the conference, and in consideration of the issues we face, proposals that are applicable and engaging to the wide range of participants are encouraged.




SSEC 2020 Focal Topics

Conference organizers identified three focal topics that reflect overarching challenges and opportunities that human and biological communities within the Salish Sea face now and into the future. Conference organizers will review session proposals and will determine the conference tracks at that time. Session proposals will be considered within each focal topic, or across them. While these three focal points offer a useful frame for the conference, organizers acknowledge and will consider session ideas outside of these three broad topics.

Focal Topic 1: Transboundary Issues
The management of natural resources is complex within the Salish Sea. Approximately 8 million people live around the shared marine waters. Management decisions are made and influenced by the US, Canada, the State of Washington, the province of British Columbia, various treaties, Tribes, First Nations, local governments, and special districts.

Many environmental issues and threats should be considered through a transboundary lens in order to promote increased understanding, collaboration, and development of solutions. The conference will address a sampling of such issues based on proposals received and opportunities for building collaborations across the border.

Sessions might address:

Salish Sea, state of understanding and modelling
First Nation and Tribal perspectives and initiatives
Southern resident killer whales, Chinook salmon, and people
Fishing and the Pacific Salmon Treaty
Hatchery effectiveness (e.g. mass marking)
Contaminants
Habitat restoration initiatives
State of forage fishes and knowledge
Air quality
Coordination, communication and governance
Salish Sea curricula

Focal Topic 2: Climate Change Impacts and Collaboration
Environments and habitats in the Salish Sea have changed, and will continue to be impacted in response to global climate change.  Across the Salish Sea watersheds and marine waters, we are witnessing shifts in temperatures and seasonal events, biological communities, water pH, and more.  Management agencies throughout the Salish Sea are developing resources and plans, but there is a continual need for further collaboration and learning across sectors.  We see climate change and population growth as the pre-eminent threats to the Salish Sea.

Sessions might address:

Climate change monitoring indices and trends
Climate models and projections
Population growth projections and planning
Ocean acidification
Climate action plans
Climate adaptation programs
Any of the following issues with considerations for climate change:

  • Shoreline restoration and armoring removal
  • Changes in salmon behaviors and survival
  • Stream restoration
  • Nearshore and estuaries restoration
  • Education programs
Focal Topic 3: Shared Innovations
Conference organizers are interested in sharing advancements, opportunities, and innovative applications that may benefit communities, agencies, and decision makers across the Salish Sea region.  Within our region, we have a rich research and development community, including academic centers.  Projects that cross disciplines, incorporate aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion and are applicable and engaging to a wide range of participants are encouraged.

Sessions might address:

Environmental justice
Community-based participatory research
Big data systems and analyses
Remote sensing opportunities
Wildlife and fish tagging technologies and applications
Genomics and DNA tools and research
Mapping and spatial and temporal models
Education paradigms

Other
Do you have a suggestion that does not fit into one of these "Focal Topics"? 
Please propose your session using the "Other" link below.

Types of Sessions

At this time we are accepting session proposals. We encourage proposals within the following four 90-minute formats:

TYPEDEFINITION
Traditional SessionSix participants, each sequentially presenting a paper, 15 minutes long. Typically presentations are 11 minutes, with 3 minutes Q&A, allowing 1 minute for session introduction & transitions
Alternative SessionFour participants, each sequentially presenting a paper, 20 minutes long
Panel SessionSession Chair moderates discussion with panel of speakers, with the panelists responding to each other and to audience inquiries throughout the session. Panel discussions typically conclude with a discussion or Q&A period
Snapshot SessionThis is a highly structured and fast moving style that allows for a greater number of presentations, each 5 minutes long. Speakers are strongly encouraged to use the Ignite format utilizing 20 slides that auto advance every 15 seconds

Please note that we are seeking only session proposals at this time. NO individual abstracts will be considered at this time.

A separate Call for Abstracts and Presenters will be released after session proposals are selected. Any submissions for individual presentations will be automatically rejected.

Deadline for Submission is July 12, 2019

Begin a Session Proposal:

Focal Topic 1: Transboundary Issues


Proposals are no longer being accepted.

Focal Topic 2: Climate Change Impacts and Collaboration


Proposals are no longer being accepted.

Focal Topic 3: Shared Innovations


Proposals are no longer being accepted.

Other


Proposals are no longer being accepted.