2022 Natural Areas Conference

*All programming subject to change.  Please refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.  Check in frequently for updates. 
This Conference is provided in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

Quick Links

Learn more about registration rates here. 

September 6-9, 2022 - Duluth, MN
The 2022 Natural Areas Conference (NAC22), Superior Visions: Navigating Complexity Amid Constant Change, will be in Duluth, Minnesota. Duluth occupies the land and waters of indigenous people that include the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa who actively conserve and protect natural resources and continue their traditional practices in the present day. The northeast area of Minnesota is renowned for its natural areas, offering boreal and hardwood forest, extensive lakes, bogs and wetlands, as well as savanna and upland prairie.
NAA is committed to your safety during its in-person events and we want you to be aware of the protocols and requirements for NAA in-person events. As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus is constantly evolving, NAA reserves the right to adjust protocols based on local, state, and national public health guidelines and restrictions in a specific location.

All times listed in Central Time.
Click on symposia titles to read abstracts.
Time
Session
Presenter
Monday, September 5, 2022 (Labor Day)
NAA Board of Directors Retreat
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
9:00 am - 12:00 pmHalf-Day Workshops
12:00 pm - 1:30 pmLunch Break - On Your OwnDuluth offers many unique dining options within walking distance of the hotel and conference venue. 
1:30 pm - 1:35 pmLand Acknowledgement 
  • Lisa Smith, Executive Director, Natural Areas Association
1:35 pm - 1:40 pmWelcome to the Shores of Lake Superior
  • A representative from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
1:40 pm - 1:45 pm2022 Natural Areas Conference Kickoff
  • Lisa Smith, Executive Director, Natural Areas Association
1:45 pm - 2:30 pm

Opening Plenary - Life at a Crossroads: A Natural History of Minnesota

  • Chel Anderson, Botanist, Plant & Forest Ecologist, Author and Retired, MN Biological Survey
  • Fred Harris, Botanist & Plant Ecologist, MN Biological Survey
  • Michael Lee, Botanist & Plant Ecologist MN Biological Survey
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm

Plenary Keynote - Reminding Ourselves and Others Why We're Doing This

  • Chris Helzer, Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy, Nebraska
3:15 pm - 3:30 pmRefreshment Break
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmConcurrent Sessions
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
8:30 am - 8:45 amDay 2 - Getting Started
9:00 am - 10:00 amPlenary Keynote by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Live Stream)
10:00 am - 10:30 amRefreshment Break
10:30 am - 12:00 pmConcurrent Sessions
12:00 pm - 12:15 pmTransition Break
12:15 pm - 1:30 pmLunch
1:30 pm - 1:45 pmTransition Break
1:45 pm - 3:15 pmConcurrent Sessions
3:15 pm - 3:30 pmRefreshment Break
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmConcurrent Sessions
5:00 pm - 6:30 pmReception
Thursday, September 8, 2022
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Field Workshops - Offsite
Transportation and boxed lunch provided.
4:00 pm - 6:00 pmTransition Break
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Natural Areas Association Annual Awards Dinner
NAA will honor both the 2021 and the 2022 award recipients.
Friday, September 9, 2022
8:30 am - 9:30 amConcurrent Sessions
9:30 am - 9:50 am Refreshment Break
9:50 am - 11:15 amConcurrent Sessions

NAC22 Registration Rates:
  Early Bird  Regular  Late
  until 7/31/22  until 8/31/22  until 9/3/22
  Member  $499  $559  $619
  Nonmember  $569  $629  $689
  Student member  $299  $299  $299
  Student nonmember  $349  $349  $349

Cancellation Policy
Conference registrations canceled on or before August 2, 2022 will be refunded less a $50 administrative fee. Conference registrations canceled on or after August 3, 2022 will not be refunded; however, registration fees may be transferred to another individual. (Please note that the new invoice generated as a result of the transfer will the new registrant's membership status and the difference (if any) will be charged.)

Venue

Address: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802

Directions to the DECC (the Holiday Inn is nearby)

Resources: 
Click here for more Flight and Transportation Information
















photo by decc.org

Accommodations

Holiday Inn & Suites, Duluth Downtown
200 West First Street
Duluth, MN 55802

Hotel Website

NAA's Guaranteed Rate: $134 per night
Saturday, September 3 - Thursday, September 8, 2022

Call 218- 722-1202 for reservations.

Room Block Availability Ends Friday, July 29.

photo by ihg.com

We can't wait to see you there!

COVID-19 Policy

NAA is committed to your safety during its in-person events and we want you to be aware of the protocols and requirements for NAA in-person events. As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus is constantly evolving, NAA reserves the right to adjust protocols based on local, state, and national public health guidelines and restrictions in a specific location.
Click here to review the current NAA COVID-19 Policy for events. 

*All programming subject to change.  Please refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.  Check in frequently for updates. 

JOIN US

Join the people who protect and manage our natural areas.