The Organizing Committee is now accepting proposals for the Watershed Congress Along the Schuylkill River, scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026

With a focus on networking across disciplines and a goal of presenting new information about watershed restoration, the annual Watershed Congress has become a highly anticipated event for citizens interested in understanding, protecting and restoring their local streams.

The Organizing Committee recommends the following topics, but we will consider all suggestions:

* PFAS

Presenters receive complimentary registration for the Watershed Congress, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. However, presenters are required to register. A registration link will be sent to all presenters in January 2026 with a promo code.

The Organizing Committee does not compensate presenters. Presenters are responsible for the cost of their travel and accommodations.

Those chosen to present must provide an electronic copy of their presentations to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network by March 26, 2026.

Presenters must complete a simple time log documenting the time spent preparing for, traveling to, and presenting at the Watershed Congress. This information is required for our reporting for nonprofit record keeping.

Proposal submission does not guarantee inclusion in the Watershed Congress program. If you have any questions, please call 215-369-1188, ext. 109

• All sessions, regardless of format, must include a question-and-answer component.
• Hands-on, interactive presentations are encouraged.
• Proposals that discuss lessons learned will be viewed favorably.

Plenary – A plenary session is presented as the first session of the Watershed Congress. To select plenary speakers, the Organizing Committee considers proposals on topics of broad interest to our audience. A plenary session may include a single speaker or multiple speakers. Audience size: approximately 150.

Breakout Sessions – The total number of concurrent sessions offered each year varies based on decisions made by the Organizing Committee. The program has featured as many as eight concurrent sessions in one time slot. A maximum of three time slots are available. As presented at the Congress, concurrent sessions are talks or media presentations on a single topic or program, followed by a question and answer component. Audience size: 20 - 40.

Planned session length is usually 60 minutes. However, the Organizing Committee will consider other session lengths depending on interest, program fit, and scheduling needs. (looking at the feedback and depending on how many presentations we receive would you be open to a shorter time frame and more breakout sessions?)

Presentations are scheduled by the Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee will try to accommodate presenters who are traveling a distance to present; however, presenters cannot be given a preference or choice of time slots.

Rooms for all breakout sessions are equipped with a PC laptop, interactive presentation stations, and speakers. Presentations must be provided to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network by March 26, 2026 so they can be loaded onto the PC laptops in advance.

Proposal submission deadline: 11:59 pm, November 2, 2025

Presenter notification: 5:00 pm, December 5, 2025

Presenter's registration / Revised abstract deadline: 5:00 pm, January 30, 2026

Presentations due: 5:00 pm, March 26, 2026

Watershed Congress: March 28, 2026

The 2026 Watershed Congress will be held Saturday, March 28th, at Alvernia University in Reading, PA.