Hosted by partners across the Ozark and Ouachita region, this event brings together river professionals, watershed leaders, and outdoor recreation experts from across the country. Set against a backdrop of forested hills, clear streams, and vibrant river towns, the region offers the perfect setting for conversations about stewardship, restoration, and access.
Oklahoma is proud of its protected Scenic Rivers and decades-long patronage of clean water. In Arkansas, the Buffalo National River—the nation’s first National River—and a diversity of rivers and water trails are supported by the Natural State Initiative, which positions the area as a year-round outdoor destination while protecting and restoring riparian ecosystems and honoring both cultural and ecological values. Both states are home to region-defining whitewater parks and whitewater paddling!
Hosted by partners across the Ozark and Ouachita region, this event brings together river professionals, watershed leaders, recreation managers, Indigenous partners, and conservation practitioners from across the country for a week of learning, collaboration, and field exploration.
Set against a backdrop of forested hills, clear streams, and vibrant river communities, the region offers an ideal setting to explore the intersection of stewardship, restoration, and equitable access. From the iconic Buffalo National River to Oklahoma’s protected Scenic Rivers, this landscape reflects a deep commitment to conserving riparian ecosystems while supporting recreation and community connection.
As pressures on river systems increase—from climate change to growing recreational demand—how do we balance ecological integrity with meaningful human experience? How can we expand access while protecting the very resources that draw people to rivers? What tools, partnerships, and policies are needed to sustain resilient, inclusive river systems for generations to come?
RMS invites proposals showcasing practical techniques, innovative research, policy solutions, and creative approaches that advance a balanced and holistic vision for river management. Contributions from all river types, regions, and management contexts are welcome.
With questions, contact Risa Shimoda: rms(at)river-management.org or Jared Skaggs: jared.skaggs(at)grda.com.
Proposals are due online by midnight ET on October 1, 2026.
You may submit more than one proposal for presentations and/or poster sessions. A separate submission is required for each.
Paper or Topic Presentation
Concurrent sessions can be 30 or 60 minutes long, depending on the type of presentation. This includes time for follow-up questions and discussion.
Panel or Roundtable Discussion
Multiple-presenter panel discussions or roundtables can last 30 or 60 minutes. The discussion should demonstrate a practical application and include audience interaction. Proposals in this format should identify a presentation lead or session moderator.
Poster Presentation
Poster presenters will have an opportunity to display your informational poster during the Welcome Reception on Tuesday evening, April 13, 2027.
Symposium Themes
Explore examples of representative topics for each theme in the full Call for Speakers (PDF).
Balance: Navigating tradeoffs and decision-making where ecological protection, recreation, and public access intersect.
Ecology: Implementing restoration and research for long-term ecosystem health.
Experience: Enhancing how people engage with, understand, and value rivers.
Access: Expanding equitable and physical access to rivers.
We are accepting speaker proposals until Oct. 1 and will post the program in November.
Overview of the Schedule:
Monday evening: Arrival and check-in at The Graduate Hotel lobby (4-8 p.m.)
Tuesday: Late check-in, field sessions, free evening to explore
Wednesday: Morning Sessions, mid-morning Poster Reception, Awards Luncheon, Afternoon Sessions, Off-site Dinner Reception at Pack Rat Outdoor Center, a fundraiser for RMS!
Thursday: Morning Sessions, Lunch on your own, Afternoon Sessions, Close out auction, Closing Banquet and Live Auction
Friday: Return home (or stay and explore!
Field Sessions
Buffalo National River: America's First National River
Discover one of the nation's most iconic free-flowing rivers on a guided exploration of the Buffalo National River. Land and water-based itineraries will be offered as we hear from federal, state, and local partners about their work to balance preservation, conservation, recreation, and public access while protecting this nationally treasured resource. From a storied history to current protection efforts and collaborative management strategies, this field trip offers a firsthand look at the challenges and successes of stewarding a world-class river for future generations.
Program Partners: 37 North, University of Arkansas, Buffalo River NPS, USFS, Buffalo River Watershed Alliance
Illinois River & Regional Whitewater Parks: Where Recreation, Restoration, and River Communities Converge
Experience how WOKA Whitewater Park and Siloam Springs Kayak Park are transforming the Illinois River into a vibrant community asset while supporting ecological health. Explore innovative approaches to river recreation, habitat enhancement, and economic development. Kayak 7.4 miles and hear from local leaders about designing projects that create exciting river experiences while improving access and respecting the natural character of the Illinois River watershed. Lunch on the river will be provided.
Program Partners: Grand River Dam Authority, Illinois River Watershed Partnership, Friends of WOKA, Siloam Springs Parks & Recreation, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Little Sugar Creek, Bentonville: Restoring Urban Streams, Connecting Communities
See how Bentonville is redefining urban waterways through thoughtful stream restoration and public access as part of the largest dam removal project in Arkansas. Along Little Sugar Creek, discover projects that improve water quality, restore habitat, reduce flood impacts, and create inviting spaces for residents and visitors alike. This bus tour showcases how ecological restoration, dam removal, streambank stabilization, and community investment can work hand in hand with recreation enhancements to build healthier, more connected communities.
Program Partners: Bentonville Parks & Recreation, Watershed Conservation Resource Center, Trailblazers, Ecological Design Group
West Fork White River: Exploring River Restoration in Fayetteville's Backyard
Journey through Fayetteville to experience innovative projects that reconnect people with their rivers. This bus and walking tour includes the Fayetteville Ramble, restoration sites along the West Fork of the White River, and a visit to Combs park where a future dam removal project will take place. Learn how these efforts are improving aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, expanding public access, and creating meaningful outdoor experiences while restoring the river's natural function in the heart of the community.
Program Partners: Fayetteville Parks & Recreation, Watershed Conservation Resource Center, Beaver Water District, City of Fayetteville, Flow State, LLC
RMS Members and early registrants save on registration!
Registration will open in November after we post the program. Take advantage of early registration rates, available through March 19, 2027. Members receive discounted registration, so if you're considering joining RMS, this is the perfect time! Learn about the features and benefits of membership on our membership web page. You can join or renew on that page or within the Symposium registration form (link coming soon!)
Social registration
Guests are welcome to join in the festivities, and we offer special rates for them to attend the Wednesday Awards Luncheon, Wednesday Poster Reception, Thursday Closing Banquet, or all three.
Venue: Fayetteville Town Center
15 W Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701
Hotel: Graduate by Hilton
70 N East Ave. Fayetteville, AR 72701
Please note that hotel accommodations are not included with Symposium registration. Attendees are responsible for reserving their own rooms, so we recommend booking early.
Your sponsorship supports river leaders nationwide and offers excellent visibility for your organization to attendees and the larger river management community. See the many benefits of sponsorship and auction donation in our Sponsor Information Packet. Whether you sponsor the event or donate items to our auction, we will appreciate your support. Let’s discuss how we can provide a unique opportunity to promote your organization, services, or products!
The online and in-person auction elevates our partners' brands and importantly, helps make this event possible. Please consider donating river and outdoor equipment, outfitted trips or instructional classes, jewelry or works of art. Bidding will take place online in early April 2027, the week before the Symposium, and it will close on the final day of the Symposium with a live auction.
As a donor, you can receive sponsor benefits equivalent to 50% of the item's retail value. Please reference the sponsor information packet above to see how this might benefit you! To donate an item, visit our Auction Item Donation Form (button below).
Items donated to the auction do NOT need to be shipped to winning bidders until the week after the Symposium. Most items will be featured online only, with a few smaller items on site. If your item is selected to be featured on site, we'll ask you to ship it to Fayetteville, AR. If you have questions related to the auction or shipping, please reach out to Bekah Price at bekah(at)river-management.org.
Interested in volunteering before, during or after the Symposium? We have several time slots and positions available, so you can volunteer a little or a lot. Helping out behind the scenes is a fun and impactful way to support the success of this event and to get to know peers. Great for veterans and first-time attendees! We'll post a volunteer sign up link right here when we get closer to the event date.
We enthusiastically thank our 2027 Steering Committee:
Leif Kindberg, Illinois River Watershed Partnership
Jared Skaggs, Grand River Dam Authority
Darrell Bowman, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Becky Flynn, Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation
