WELCOME TO SFS 2026

We are in a time of rapid and often unpredictable change. Freshwater ecosystems and the organisms that rely on them are threatened by a multitude of interacting stressors. Simultaneously, human communities that depend upon freshwater ecosystems are struggling to adapt to environmental, social, and economic stressors. Members of the Society of Freshwater Science work tirelessly to understand these environmental changes and the associated benefits provided by freshwaters. Meeting these challenges requires the entire freshwater science community and an understanding what maintains the resilience of freshwater ecosystems, and how to strengthen ties with the people that live by and depend upon freshwater ecosystems.

Our 2026 meeting will be held in Spokane, Washington near Spokane Falls, a historic gathering place since well before European colonization. We are excited to welcome you. Our theme is “Gathering to build resilient watersheds and communities”. We encourage attendees to continue to tell their stories of the wonders of freshwater ecosystems as well as how their work contributes to ecosystem resilience. We also want to challenge attendees to reflect on how we can support the resilience of ourselves and our own scientific and regional communities. We will provide this foundation by hosting plenaries that weave together stories of the interdependence of freshwater ecosystems and humans, and the responses and resilience of both to issues such as pollution, dams, and climate change. We look forward to your contributions.

Jim Hood & Camille McNeely
Annual Meeting Co-Chairs, SFS 2026