The River Institute's Emilie DeRochie, co-Chair of the River Symposium Organizing Committee, at last year's River Symposium themed "Changing Waters." Photo credit: Stephany Hildebrand.
The St. Lawrence River Institute will be hosting the 33rd Annual River Symposium on October 28th and 29th. For over three decades, the River Symposium has provided a unique platform for researchers, educators, students, environmental professionals, policymakers, and members of the public to connect and share knowledge in support of freshwater ecosystem conservation and sustainable resource management. This year’s theme, “Woven by Water,” invites participants to explore the interconnectedness of diverse ecosystems and communities.
The 2026 River Symposium will be a two-day event hosted at the DEV Hotel & Conference Centre in Cornwall and live streamed to virtual attendees. Both days will feature sessions on a variety of topics related to freshwater ecosystems and environmental health, including community science, environmental education, fish populations, and habitat restoration. We are excited to welcome Dr. Catherine Febria (Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor) and Abraham Francis (Indigenous Arts Collective) as this year’s plenary speakers.
The event will also include special workshops, a panel discussion on Indigenous Data Sovereignty, exhibits, artwork, a science competition for regional high school students, and more!
Registration for the River Symposium is open to the public, with discounted rates for students, seniors, and Indigenous attendees. For those unable to attend in-person, the conference is free to attend online, with all presentations and talks live-streamed for virtual attendees. Recordings will be made available following the event.
All in-person River Symposium registrants on Wednesday, October 28th are also welcome to attend the 2026 River Symposium Social hosted at the DEV Centre starting at 4:30 pm, followed by karaoke at the Jet Set Pub at 7:30.
For more information and to register for the River Symposium please visit: https://riversymposium.riverinstitute.ca/2026/.
The River Institute is a not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1994, in partnership with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and other community and local government partners to address Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River ecosystem concerns through research, education, and community outreach. For more information about the River Institute, visit: https://riverinstitute.ca.
About the Author
