Summary

This virtual scientific symposium was designed to bring together partners who are actively engaged in applying principles of biogeochemistry to solving environmental and social problems. John R. White, associate dean of research for CC&E and director of WABL at the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, served as this year’s conference chair. More than 162 people from 15 countries, 23 states, and 78 organizations attended the symposium. This included 29 students (4 undergraduates, 11 graduate students, and 13 doctoral students). Over the course of four days, the symposium featured four special plenary keynotes, 90 oral presentations, and 15 poster presentations.

On the last day of the conference, Robert Twilley, executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program and professor in the LSU Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, was presented with the third annual Golden Cattail Award, which honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the study of wetland biogeochemistry.

We appreciate everyone who attended and supported this year’s symposium, and contributed to the symposium goal of improving our understanding of the role wetlands perform in regulating and mitigating impacts of global climate change and sea level rise.