Registration, Hotel & Travel

Registration, Hotel, & Travel Information

Why should you attend the 2026 Natural Areas Conference?

The NAC gathers over 350 natural areas practitioners in one location featuring plenary and concurrent sessions, symposia, round tables, field workshops, and poster presentations.

The NAC is the forum for information-exchange among natural areas practitioners across North America. Participants have shared countless stories about how information gained from their participation in this conference had a direct impact on the lands they steward.
The NAC provides science-based content for natural area practitioners and researchers seeking applied science, practical solutions, and knowledge transfer related to the management of natural areas on a day-to-day basis; such as land stewards in land trusts, nature centers, and nature preserves who manage land for their conservation or natural area values.
The NAC supports the conservation and the protection of biodiversity by providing access to quality science, new knowledge, best practices, and emerging methodologies for those who steward natural areas.

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

Conference Registration

We heard you! Informal conversations are as important to sharing knowledge and experience as the presentations. It is when we are together, in a relaxed setting, that colleagues make connections, share openly, and become resources to each other.

Your time is valuable and resources are tight. Our goal is to create a quality experience for the best value. That is why the registration fee includes more meals and reception opportunities than most other industry conferences.

Registration includes:

Plenary & Concurrent Sessions, Posters, and Round Tables
Welcome Reception – Monday
Poster Reception – Wednesday
Meals:
- Breakfast – Tuesday & Thursday
- Lunch – Tuesday & Thursday
Beverage Breaks

Also available (optional): pre-conference (Monday, Oct. 5) & field workshop opportunities (Wednesday, Oct. 7).

Conference room with people at tables. — *NAC22 - Photo courtesy of Derick Montgomery*

Questions?

Contact info@naturalareas.org

Full Conference Registration

$750

Available on August 1, 2026
Register by September 25, 2026

One-day Registration
Tuesday, Oct. 6

$375

One-day Registration
Thursday, Oct. 8

$375

Student Registration

$499

Full Conference Late Registration

$800

Available on September 26, 2026

Conference Registration Cancellation Policy:

Refund Deadline September 7, 2026 – Conference registrations canceled on or before September 7, 2026 less a $50 administrative fee.

Conference registrations canceled on or after September 8, 2026 will not be refunded; however, registration fees may be transferred to another individual.

Conference Venue & Hotel Information

Crowne Plaza Asheville

1 Resort Drive, Asheville, NC 28806, 828-254-3211
Hotel Reservation (includes our special rate)
Hotel Website

$199 per night - Cut Off Date: Monday, August 31, 2026

Make your reservation today!

Hotel Cancellation Policy: A credit card will be required to complete the reservation. Reservations canceled within 48 hours of the arrival date will be charged for the first night’s room and tax.

Early Departure Policy: Individuals checking out early without 24 hour notice will be charged a $50.00 early departure fee.

Need additional assistance?

Call toll-free at 1-844-330-0296 (24/7) to our central reservations call center and mention the group name Natural Areas Conference or the group code NAA to receive the special group rate.
Call the local number at 828-285-2603 during normal business hours Monday - Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm and ask for in-house reservations mentioning the Natural Areas Conference.

Crowne Plaza Asheville hotel exterior of building

Outdoor patio firepit and chairs

Getting Here

Getting to Asheville by Air

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)

Rated as one of the fastest growing airports in the U.S., conveniently located just 20 minutes south of downtown Asheville. The Asheville airport serves dozens of direct flight options to Asheville from major airlines.

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

Located approximately 90 minutes from Asheville, NC, GSP offers over 100 daily non-stop flights and many more connecting options. Ground transportation includes rental cars and airport transport service through Eastern Transportation, as well as access to ride share services.

By Car

Registration, Hotel & Travel