2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show

Join us for the 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show, hosted by Minnesota Watersheds! Mark your calendars for December 2-4, 2026, at the beautiful Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, MN.

This event presents a fantastic opportunity for managers, commissioners, staff, researchers, and consultants across various fields—such as data collection, permitting, construction, engineering, education and outreach, and administration—to come together to share insights and advancements.

Attendees will benefit from:

  • Engaging educational sessions and training

  • Peer-to-peer learning experiences

  • Ample networking opportunities

Don't miss out on this chance to collaborate and engage with your peers. Registration will go live in September.

Request for Abstracts

The Minnesota Watersheds Events-Education Committee is now accepting abstract submissions for the 2026 Minnesota Watersheds Annual Conference.

The Minnesota Watersheds Annual Conference covers all topics related to watershed management. Speakers are invited to share their knowledge and findings that strengthen the management, protection, and restoration of Minnesota's water resources, particularly those managed by local watershed jurisdictions. Presentation time slots are 30 minutes and should include time for questions. You must be affiliated with a member watershed in Minnesota to be selected as a presenter.

Presentations will take place on Thursday, December 3rd at the Grandview Lodge in Nisswa, MN.

The abstract deadline date is Wednesday, September 16.

Here is the link to submit your work.

‍Now accepting Annual Conference Awards Nominations

Each year, the MW Awards Committee asks for nominations from each watershed organization. After reviewing the nominations, one winner is selected from each category and is recognized at the Awards Program during the Annual Conference.  

‍The program has two award categories: ‍ ‍

  • Capital Improvement Project of the Year and Watershed Program of the Year

The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) partners with the Minnesota Association of Watershed Administrators (MAWA) to sponsor awards that recognize the important contributions of staff in accomplishing important watershed management objectives:

These awards, respectively, will recognize the excellence of staff who have made outstanding contributions to the work of local watershed organizations during the past year.

  • ‍MN DNR will select and announce the Watershed Organization of the Year

2025 Award Winners

Annual Conference Archive