River Institute to Host 32nd Annual River Symposium

October 14, 2025

Cornwall, ON – The St. Lawrence River Institute will be hosting the 32nd Annual River Symposium this October 22nd to 23rd. Over the last three decades, the River Symposium has provided a unique platform for researchers, educators, students, environmental professionals, policymakers, and members of the public to connect and share knowledge in support of freshwater ecosystem conservation and sustainable resource management. This year’s theme, ‘Changing Waters,’ invites participants to reflect on how our waterways have transformed over time and look forward to the changes that the future might bring.

The 2025 River Symposium will be a two-day event hosted at the DEV Hotel & Conference Centre in Cornwall and live streamed to virtual attendees. Plenary talks will cover the role of youth in shaping freshwater futures and habitat connectivity and biodiversity conservation. Each day will include sessions on a variety of topics related to freshwater ecosystems and environmental health, from community science and collaborative monitoring to discussions of contaminants in fish and the role of AI in research.

The event will also feature a student and young professionals speed networking event, exhibits, artwork, a science competition for regional high school students, workshops on shoreline restoration and eel artwork, and more!

Registration for the River Symposium is open to the public, with discounted rates for students, seniors, and Indigenous attendees. For those unable to attend in-person, virtual registration is free, with all presentations and talks live-streamed for virtual attendees. Recordings will be made available following the event.

All in-person River Symposium registrants on Wednesday, October 22nd are also welcome to the Symposium Social hosted at the DEV Centre starting at 4:00pm.For more information and to register for the River Symposium and special events please visit https://riversymposium.riverinstitute.ca/2025/.

The River Institute is a not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1994, in partnership with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and other community and local government partners to address Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River ecosystem concerns through research, education, and community outreach. For more information about the River Institute, visit: https://riverinstitute.ca.

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