2026 Call for Proposals


2026 Natural Areas Conference (NAC26): Where Science Meets Stewardship

Call for Proposals is open!

Land stewardship benefits from shared knowledge rich in a variety of perspectives to enrich learning for all

  • NAC26 will gather approximately 350 natural areas practitioners seeking applied science, practical solutions, and knowledge transfer related to the management of natural areas to protect biodiversity.
  • NAC26 provides access to quality science, new knowledge, experience-based practice, and emerging methodologies for those entrusted with the stewardship of natural areas.

Conference Topics

  • Post-disaster Recovery and Restoration of Natural Lands and Waters
  • Conservation of Eastern Deciduous Forest Ecosystems
  • Climate Adaptation and Resilience
  • Wetland Ecosystem Management
  • Aquatic Resource Management and Conservation 
  • Grassland Management and Conservation
  • Advances in Invasive Species Management
  • Rare Species Conservation 
  • Native Plant Conservation
  • Native Plant Materials in Restoration
  • Invertebrate/Pollinator Conservation
  • Restoration of Natural Areas
  • Good Fire/Bad Fire Management (Fire Science and Practice)Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat Management
  • Soil Science and Considerations in Natural Areas Management
  • Value of Small Natural Areas
  • Urban Natural Areas Management
  • Indigenous Perspectives on Natural Areas Management
  • Technology in Natural Areas Management
  • Communicating the Importance of Your Work to Your Audience
  • Engaging New Audiences in Land Stewardship
  • Natural Areas and Recreation
  • Private Lands Conservation Efforts
  • Economics of Natural Area Conservation 
  • Collaborative Conservation 

SHARE YOUR WORK l LEARN FROM YOUR PEERS

NAA is now accepting proposals for Individual, Poster and Symposium submissions. Proposals should fit within the conference topics and can describe a project, methodology, experience-based practice or challenge related to a natural area(s).

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

Please note that all presenters must be registered participants of the conference and will be responsible to cover their own registration, accommodations, and related expenses.


Opportunities

Individual Presentation Guidelines

  • An individual presentation is a 15-minute talk followed by 5 minutes of Q&A.
  • Accepted presentations will be organized into 90-minute concurrent sessions by topic.
  • Each session will include an assigned facilitator who will ensure that presenters stay on time and do not run over. 

Poster Presentation Guidelines

  • Posters are static presentations displayed during the conference in a high-traffic location.
  • Posters are ideal for research or projects in progress or to showcase a novel concept, approach, or topic related to natural areas protection and/or management.
  • Presenters will engage with conference participants during a Poster Reception.
  • Posters must not exceed 4’x4’.

Symposium Guidelines

  • Symposia facilitate the exchange of information and ideas around a topic of regional or national priority for natural areas protection and/or management through a series of multiple presenters and an organizer (who may also be a presenter). 
  • The organizer is responsible for the coordination and communication of the session with the presenters to organize content and to moderate the session.
  • A symposium will be organized into two 90-minute concurrent sessions that follow chronologically in the agenda.
  • We encourage each symposium to include a 30-minute facilitated discussion after the presentations have concluded.
  • The symposium moderator ensures that presenters stay on time and do not run over. 

Story Maps

  • Public speaking is not your thing, but you have a success story, science or experience-based research, best practices, or a methodology to share?
  • Submit a Story Map that will be shared in the conference app and on the NAA website.

Attention Students! Student Poster & Presentation Competition

Are you a full-time student interested in building your resume and professional experience? Submit a poster and participate in the poster & presentation competition. Engage with peers and experience natural areas professionals in a collegial setting.





JOIN US

Support the people who manage our natural areas and protect biodiversity in perpetuity.