Call for Session Proposals

This symposium facilitates interaction and dialogue among those actively engaged in applying principles of biogeochemistry to solving environmental and social problems. If you are interested in or actively involved in wetland management, water quality, restoration, or constructed wetlands, you will have an opportunity to propose a session related to your expertise. Topics of focus are listed on the Topics Page but don’t feel limited to these areas. We seek to capture all emerging issues and new ideas.

1. Define the purpose, focus and overarching message of the proposed session.
2. Identify and recruit five colleagues who provide a diverse perspective on the session theme.
3. Communicate Speaker Requirements before they agree to give a talk. See below.
4. Use this Session Proposal Template (.docx) to create a session proposal.
5. Submit the proposal via our online form by September 25. This deadline will not be extended.

Please refer to Key Dates and Deadlines for additional information.

Session Format

Sessions are 100-minutes long with, five 20-minute talks. There are no panels or discussion-only sessions. Time allotted to speakers is 17 minutes for their presentation and 3 minutes for Q&A afterward.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Selection is based on content and expected level of interest in the topic, structure, and overall relevance to the conference and the session's potential for generating useful results and dialogue among attendees. Preference is given to sessions that focus on new and emerging science, that are integrative in nature, and/or that communicate interdisciplinary science effectively to a broad audience.

When talking with potential presenters, make them aware speakers must:

1. Commit to attend the symposium (June 14-17, 2027).
2. Pay a $35 abstract submission fee.
3. Register and pay the applicable registration fee, which we anticipate will be approximately $695 for government, non-profit and industry representatives, and $595 for students and retirees. Confirmed registration fees will be announced January 15, 2027.
4. Comply with the limit of one oral presentation per person. If approached by more than one session organizer, they may choose only one session. However, speakers may also present a poster if they wish.
5. Submit an abstract by January 8, 2027.

*Fees are subject to change based on the level of sponsorship support achieved.

We will notify you by October 7, 2026. If your session is approved, you are responsible for the following:

1. Serve as the primary contact for the session. We communicate with one official representative per session.
2. Notify your speakers right away the session is approved. The Call for Abstracts will be announced October 13.
3. Ensure your session presenters submit abstracts by January 8, 2027. They will be allowed to submit a revised final abstract by April 9, 2027.
4. Moderate the session you have organized.
5. Prepare and submit a completed session grid by January 29, 2027. (After abstract submission closes, we will email you a template. Fill in the final session title and confirmed speaker names with talk titles in the proper order.)
6. Make sure all session presenters are registered and confirmed by March 19, 2027.
7. Attend a moderator briefing by Zoom held approximately two weeks prior to the symposium.

Please Note: We reserve the right not to accept proposed sessions if space is limited, and to cancel sessions if an organizer misses deadlines.