SRH Symposium 2026- Full Agenda  

Morning

8:30-9:00 AM | Check-in & Light Breakfast

9:00 – 9:30 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks

  • Welcome & Introduction by Aaron Pruzan - Owner and river guide, Rendezvous River Sports

  • Featuring “ReMATRIATE”, a cultural presentation by Patti Baldes and her family.   

  • Opening remarks from Representative Andrew Byron (Wyoming House District 22)

9:30 – 10:45 AM | Behind the Flow: What Drives Our River’s Management?  

Influences shaping the current management of the Snake River Headwaters and beyond

  • Presentations 

    • Mike Hilliard - Assistant Area Manager for the Upper Snake Field Office, Bureau of Reclamation 

    • Rob Van Kirk - Science & Technology Director, Henry’s Fork Foundation

    • Jeff VanOrden - Idaho Potato Farmer

    • Nolan Brown - Original Territories and Historical Research Manager, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes 

    • Scott Bosse - Northern Rockies Director, American Rivers

  • Moderated Q&A by Representative Liz Storer (Wyoming House District 23) 

10:45 - 11:00 AM | Bathroom/Coffee Break 

11:00 – 12:00 PM |  Ecosystem Restoration & Climate Resilience

Restoring what sustains us: building climate resilience through science, restoration, and collaboration

  • Presentations 

    • Diana Miller - Fisheries Biologist, Wyoming Game and Fish Department 

    • Dr. Brian Shuman - Climate Scientist, University of Wyoming

    • Alex Stacy - Graduate Student, Idaho State University

  • Moderated Q&A by Simeon Caskey, Physical Scientist, Grand Teton National Park 

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Poster Session  

  • Researchers, students, and technical experts present posters of regional research

  • Buffet-style lunch: sandwiches, chips, cookies, and soft drinks - catered by Provisions

Afternoon

1:00 – 2:00 PM | Conservation, Recreation & Public Access

Sharing the Snake: finding common ground between recreation, conservation, and community needs.

  • Presentations: 

    • Mark Tesoro - Manager, Wyoming State Office of Outdoor Recreation

    • Jessi Johnson - Government Affairs Director, Wyoming Wildlife Federation 

  • Panel Discussion with local leaders: 

    • Jason ‘JB’ Balogh - owner and guide, Fish the Fly Guide Service

    • Scott Kosiba - Executive Director, Friends of the Bridger-Teton 

    • Orion Hatch - Executive Director,  Snake River Fund 

    • Chip Jenkins - Superintendent, Grand Teton National Park

    • Miriam Morillon - Founder and program manager, Camina Conmigo JH

  • Moderated Q&A by Patrick Harrington - WY Government Relations Director, Trout Unlimited

2:00 – 2:45 PM | Water Quality & Healthy Communities

From headwaters to households: addressing water quality myths or misconceptions to safeguard clean water for people, fish, and future generations.

  • Presentation: 

    • Matt Bambach - Water Resources Director, Protect Our Water JH 

  • Panelists 

    • Cheryl Eddy Miller - Water Quality Section Chief, USGS Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

    • Carlin Girard - Executive Director, Teton Conservation District 

    • Ron Steg - Assessment and TMDL Program Lead, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

  • Moderated Q&A by Matt Bambach - Water Resources Director, Protect Our Water JH 

2:45 - 3:00 PM | Break 

3:00 – 4:00 PM | Lessons from the Colorado River

The Colorado River has a rich history of water management, conservation, and collaborative efforts to sustain the watershed. What can the Snake River Headwaters learn from those experiences, and where are there moments of hope? 

  • Presentations 

    • Ted Kowalski - Colorado River Initiative Lead and Senior Program Officer, Environment Program, Walton Family Foundation 

    • Aaron Reichl - Vice President of Trona Industries, member of the Colorado River Advisory Committee

    • Chris Brown - Senior Assistant Attorney General, Wyoming Attorney General’s Office 

  • Moderated Q&A by Sara Porterfield - Colorado River Program Director and Western Water Policy Advisor, Trout Unlimited 

4:00 – 4:40 PM | Closing Panel – Looking Ahead Together 

  • Panel Discussion with the SRHWG Steering Committee Members:

    • Tanya Anderson - Ecosystem Stewardship Administrator, Town of Jackson

    • Bayless Sword - Snake River Ranch 

    • Darren Rhea - Regional Fisheries Supervisor, Wyoming Game and Fish 

    • David Lee - Water Resources Specialist, Teton Conservation District

  • Moderated by Julie Gonzalez, Project Manager, LegacyWorks Group

4:40 – 5:00 PM | Closing Reflections & Next Steps

5:00 - 6:00 PM | Symposium Attendees Happy Hour 

  • Appetizers provided and drinks available for purchase at the Center bar for Symposium Attendees

Evening Community Event & Keynote

6:00 – 7:00 PM | Reception & Community Celebration

  • Free and open to the public. Tickets required.  

  • Partner Organization will be tabling

  • The Valley Bookstore will have both books, The Emerald Mile and A Walk in the Park,  available for sale, including some pre-signed by Kevin Fedarko.  

7:00 – 8:30 PM | Stories and Lessons of the Colorado River: An Evening with Kevin Fedarko

  • Keynote speaker: Kevin Fedarko, acclaimed author of The Emerald Mile and A Walk in the Park

    • Presentation and Q&A

  • Kevin will be available for a book signing in the lobby after the presentation

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