Annual Meeting
2026 Annual Meeting
PNW SETAC will be holding its annual conference in Leavenworth, Washington on April 15–17th, 2026!
As one of the largest SETAC North America chapters, PNW SETAC represents members across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia. Our chapter is committed to promoting scientific exchange, fostering connections among members, and emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration across the region.
This year’s theme, Science on the Edge: Managing Environmental Stressors with Resiliency, recognizes that our work is unfolding during a time of rapid change. Regulatory frameworks are shifting as budgets shrink, agencies face staffing cuts, and environmental and public health priorities are increasingly de-prioritized at the federal level. At the same time, the Pacific Northwest faces escalating climate pressures, from record-setting temperatures, wildfires, shifting hydrology, and rising sea levels.
How do we respond as scientists and practitioners when the challenges multiply and the resources to address them contract? What does resiliency look like in this climate? We invite presentations and posters that showcase resilient approaches in environmental science, toxicology, and chemistry including but not limited to:
- Adaptive management strategies for contaminated-site cleanup and long-term monitoring
- Climate-informed restoration and habitat design
- Innovative ecological or human-health risk assessments
- Advancements in analytical methods and site assessment to address emerging contaminants of concern
- Collaborative approaches that bridge regulatory, academic, and community priorities, and that honor Tribal sovereignty, uphold treaty obligations, and integrate Tribal ecological knowledge in respectful and collaborative ways
We encourage presenters to reflect on how their work advances environmental justice. Who benefits from or is burdened by environmental decisions? How can science inform more equitable approaches? How can collaboration and partnerships amplify underrepresented voices? How is science communicated to support shared understanding and informed decision-making?
Special Sessions at PNW SETAC 2026
Keynote Address
Ryan Babadi, Toxic-Free Future, will be presenting Safer products, chemicals, and practices: science communication and advocacy for policy solutions as the 2026 keynote address.
Dr. Ryan Babadi is an environmental health scientist with experience across academia, government, and the nonprofit sector. He is the Science Director for Toxic-Free Future, a national leader in environmental health research and advocacy. His research experience involves epidemiological studies examining the links between environmental exposures and health outcomes. Before joining Toxic-Free Future, Ryan completed postdoctoral research fellowships at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and he holds a PhD in environmental toxicology from the University of Washington, an MPH from UCLA, and undergraduate degrees in biological sciences and history from UC Irvine.
Short Course Series: Science Communication
The Science Communication Short Course will feature two complementary sessions. The first session, Integrity and Transparency in Scientific Communication: Pull Back the Curtain, from Alison Geiselbrecht, PhD, Floyd|Snider, will focus on the foundations, processes and outcomes necessary to ensure scientific credibility and data integrity while acknowledging the realities of different work environments. When Fish Speak English, from Heidi Siegelbaum, Washington Stormwater Center at Washington State University, will feature background on cognitive science, the realities of addressing the irrational human, communication advice and tools for effective science communication.
Attendees will come away with guideposts, resources and partake in conversation that will add to the richness of the discussion and experiences from the audience.
Indigenous Leadership in Chemical Risk Management
Chemical pollution threatens treaty-protected resources and culturally grounded lifeways across the Pacific Northwest, while existing chemical risk management frameworks often fail to reflect tribal governance systems, tribally relevant exposure pathways, or indigenous definitions of environmental health. This session will share how tribal nations are responding through innovative, sovereignty-driven approaches that center responsibilities to land, water, and future generations. This session also invites scientists, regulators, tribal leaders, and community partners to engage in dialogue that respects indigenous knowledge as lived law, recognizes tribal governance as foundational, and advances more accountable, place-responsive approaches to chemical risk management.
The session will consist of three presentations and a roundtable discussion with Negonnekodoqua Blair (Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Department of Natural Resources), Dianne Barton (Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Watershed Department), and Tanya Williams (WA Ecology, Toxic Contaminants Policy Lead). The presentations are below:
- Áwtni Tkʷátat (First Foods) as Climate Resilience: Tribal Stewardship, Cultural Resources Protection, and Sovereignty, Wenix N. Red Elk, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Department of Natural Resources
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Assessing Chemical Risk, Dr. Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre Smiles Ph.D., Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, The University of British Columbia
- Influence in the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Process at the Upper Columbia River Superfund Site, Cindy Marchand, Colville Tribe Business Council
Registration Cost
Early-bird registration has passed ($50 late breaking fee after April 11th).
Member: $290
Non-member: $375
Student Member: $160
Student Non-Member: $190
Single day Member: $200
Single day non-member: $250
Membership Fees: Professional: $50; Students: $20
Stay At The Enzian Inn
We request that you please plan use the conference room block at the Enzian Inn. Affordable rates for hosting the conference here are dependent on our meeting the room block commitments, which we find to be reasonably priced. The room block is available for dates between April 14 – 18, 2026. The food and comfort at the hotel come highly rated and staying here supports the chapter!
Use the “Add code” dropdown with group code “2504SETAC” to apply our discount event rate
Join the Board
We encourage members to consider becoming more involved in PNW SETAC by joining the Board. Open positions for the 2026 term include Vice President, Treasurer, and four At-Large positions: Government, Industry, Academic, and Student.
Elections for open board positions will take place during early summer (~June) and terms begin early fall (~September). The board meets biweekly during fall and winter, after which meetings increase to weekly for the months leading up to the annual meeting.
Sponsors
Orca Level
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the United States. USTMA members operate 57 facilities in 17 states, are responsible for more than 291,000 jobs and have an annual economic footprint of $170.6 billion. Our mission is to strengthen the competitiveness, societal impact and reputation of the U.S. tire manufacturing industry. Our vision is to be the premier advocate, trusted voice, and thought leader for the U.S. tire manufacturing industry. Advancing safe, sustainable mobility for the future.
Chinook Level
GSI Environmental Inc. (GSI) is an engineering and environmental science consulting firm committed to investigating, analyzing, and solving complex environmental problems around the globe. Our work ranges from site remediation and management of chemical hazards, sustainable development of natural resources, and practical solutions for environmental compliance. Our staff combines practical know-how with leading-edge research to deliver timely, innovative, and focused solutions to your environmental challenges
WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, uniting its engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to shape communities to advance humanity. From local beginnings to a globe-spanning presence today, WSP operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 73,000 professionals, known as Visioneers. Together they pioneer solutions and deliver innovative projects in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, and mining and metals sectors. WSP is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:WSP).
Anchor QEA is a nationally recognized environmental science and engineering consulting firm specializing in aquatic, shoreline, remediation, and water resource projects, including coastal and flood resiliency. With more than 500 employees in 26 offices across the United States, Anchor QEA works with public and private sector clients to address environmental issues at some of the most challenging sites in the nation by providing planning and strategy development, scientific investigation, engineering design, and construction management.
Eurofins Environment Testing operates out of more than 50 laboratories and over 40 service centers across the US. The network can provide full-service Environment Testing capabilities in all US states, either via direct local laboratory participation, or via the extensive logistics network. Through our sustained investment in people, technology, instrumentation, and infrastructure, Eurofins Environment Testing laboratories are positioned to support public and private sectors, DoD, DOE and Municipalities. Services include but are not limited to testing of the following matrices, compound/elemental/wet chemistry suites: Air & Vapor, Drinking/Potable Water, Dioxins/Furans and PCB Congeners, SVOC, VOC and Hydrocarbon, Groundwater, Surface & Non-Potable Water, Metals and Metal Speciation, PFAS, Radiochemistry, Sediment & Tissue, Treatability & Aquatic Toxicology, Soil & Hazardous Waste, Nutrients, Inorganic Non-Metallics, Oil, Fuel & Grease.
As a global leader in laboratory testing services, ALS supports industries and governments across the USA and Canada with reliable scientific solutions. ALS’s environmental testing capabilities include robust assessment of water, air, soil, and biological media to support environmental protection, sustainability initiatives, and public health objectives. Through advanced instrumentation, standardized quality systems, and experienced technical staff working from more than 30 locations across the USA and 34 across Canada, ALS delivers dependable data that informs responsible environmental management for our Clients.
Heron Level
Spheros Environmental brings together proven teams with deep expertise across air, water, ecology, climate, environmental data, digital solutions, and permitting. As a single, integrated partner, we provide the insight and practical judgment clients rely on to make decisions that hold up where it matters most. That integration is built on a deliberate foundation of experience – shaped by science- and mission-driven work with long-standing reputations across disciplines. Today, that experience is fully integrated within Spheros Environmental, bringing clarity, confidence, and durable outcomes as environmental challenges continue to evolve.
Kingfisher Level
We look forward to seeing you in Leavenworth in April!