WALPA recently made a hard decision to move our 34th annual conference to an online Zoom webinar format on October 20-22nd, 2021. We will save the trip to Richland for autumn 2022! Nonetheless, we have planned a full slate of workshops, plenary speaker, technical sessions, and posters that you can access from the comfort and safety of your own home. We are also planning a breakout room social for late Thursday afternoon to allow time for catching up with friends, networking, and spirited discussions! Our theme, It Takes a Village, was chosen to highlight the collaborative nature of our efforts to understand, protect, and restore our lakes in the Pacific Northwest.
Conference proceedings will kick off Wednesday with two workshops. The morning workshop will address successful approaches to nutrient management and the afternoon workshop focuses on aquatic invasive plant and animal identification and control. Thursday will start with a plenary presentation by Justin Bush, Executive Coordinator of the Washington Invasive Species Council, followed by individual presentations and posters through mid-day Friday. Topics will include aquatic invasive species, harmful algal blooms, nutrient management, aquatic plant and HPA permit updates, recreation access, volunteer monitoring programs, and more.
Special thanks to our sponsors (so far!): CD3 Systems, Herrera, and YSI at the Gold level, and EutroPHIX as a Bronze-level sponsor.
Conference fees have been reduced to $100, with the discount for students remaining the same. Please see below for the link to register for the conference and workshops. Thanks to those who have already registered! We will contact you directly to offer options with regard to the higher in-person fee you paid. We will be sending out links to registrants a week before the event.
Unfortunately, this change means that there will be no auction or photo contest this year, but we hope to enjoy them again in 2022. We are saving our auction offerings and best pictures for when we can be together again.
Register for the conference and workshops! Click on this link to register and learn more about the conference.