What does it mean to care for our lands and waters in a time of climate change, inequity, and ecological loss? The 2026 Land & Water Conservation Summit (March 21, 2026 at URI) will focus on The Work Ahead: Caring for Our Land, Water, and a Just Future, and will explore the complex and necessary acts of conservation and stewardship across Rhode Island’s landscapes and watersheds.
We are thrilled to welcome Keynote Speaker Ethan Tapper, internationally recognized forester and bestselling author ofHow to Love a Forest, to share his message of resilience, and the bittersweet work of tending a changing world.
The Summit invites participants to reflect on what it means to love and steward our lands and waters in a changing world, even when that means making difficult choices. From sustainable forestry, to farmland access, to streambank restoration, to the critical intersections of land use, to environmental advocacy, this year’s programming will center working lands, farmland access, equity in conservation, forest stewardship, and watershed protection.
Please join us to deepen your understanding, share strategies, and build a more just, resilient future for the places and systems we all depend on. In addition to the keynote, the Summit will feature 25 + engaging workshops and panels, policy updates, and plentiful networking opportunities. You will leave the event inspired and engaged, with a commitment to build a more resilient future together.
Information on Proposals:
The Land & Water Summit is possible because dozens of conservation leaders and experts in organizational development are willing to share their expertise and latest ideas with their colleagues and friends. Held since 2004, the Summit is widely acknowledged as Rhode Island’s go-to conference for workshops and networking with other grassroots conservation leaders.
In addition to our staple Summit themes of land and water conservation tools, we are particularly interested in content that addresses the following topics:
- working lands, farms, and forest stewardship
- community-based conservation, community engagement
- natural climate change solutions, climate resilience, forest carbon, flood mitigation
- fundraising innovations, federal and state funding
- board development, non-profit management
- succession planning and board recruitment
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
- volunteerism and building a pipeline
- affordable housing, conservation, and transportation
- land and water protection, land stewardship, watershed-based projects,
- legal issues, conservation permanance
- municipal land and water conservation issues
- local food systems and food justice, farmland access
Proposals are due on Friday, November 7th at 5 pm. The Summit Committee will review all proposals, and you will be notified as to whether your proposal has been accepted by early December. Based on applications received, the Committee may ask you to adjust your presentation.
Presenters will receive a complimentary ticket to the Summit. Presenter/travel stipends will be available for those who need them in order to participate, and will be based on resources available.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Virginia Streeter at vstreeter@rilandtrusts.org.
