Urban Ecology & Conservation Symposia

Welcome to the UERC 2026 Symposium!  We are looking forward to seeing you on March 16, 2026 at Portland State University.

Please note the following when purchasing tickets:

• If you are purchasing a ticket on behalf of someone else, input the buyer's information (the information that will match the credit card) on the Buyer Information page.  Guest information should be input on the following screen titled Guest Information.
• When purchasing tickets, you will be asked about your meal choice, food restrictions, ADA needs and more.  Please have this information ready when purchasing tickets.
• One ticket per transaction please.  Each attendee needs to be registered  separately to help facilitate accurate event guest records and to ensure correct lunch orders for our attendees.
• If you have a ticket discount code, click on the Enter Coupon Code for Discounted Tickets bar at the top of the screen when prompted.   Discounted tickets will then be revealed and available for purchase.
• UERC is a fiscally sponsored partner of the Oregon Wildlife Foundation.  Please note that your ticket purchase will show Oregon Wildlife Foundation on your credit card transaction.
• If you would like to pay by check, contact Rebecca Roberts at rebecca@myowf.org.  
• For ticket and event questions contact Amy Barton at amy@clackamasriver.org.  

Tickets include:

• 2 keynote presentations and 16 short talks at the one-day symposium
• Morning snacks, lunch, afternoon snack and happy hour appetizers
• Optional lunch break-out sessions
• Networking opportunities during breaks and happy hour

Our 2026 Keynote Speakers:

Roy Iwai
Roy Iwai is an environmental scientist and stormwater manager with Multnomah County, and a co-chair of the Board of Directors with the Sandy River Watershed Council. He led the formation and direction of the Clean Rivers Coalition to create the first statewide clean water outreach campaign in Oregon, Follow the Water. He formed and chairs the Oregon 6PPDq Working Group, a voluntary collaborative partnership of local, state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations, to reduce the impacts of toxic tire dust on native fishes. Roy also led the re-formation of the Sandy River Watershed Council, as a place-based and equity-centered organization. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, and a Master’s of Science degree in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, with research in wetland biogeochemistry. He is a co-author of The American Highway: Two Voices - 30 Days, 30 States, and 9,000 Miles, a motorcycle travelogue.

Pamela Slaughter

Pamela Slaughter is the Executive Director and Founder of People of Color Outdoors (POCO), a Portland-based nonprofit that has grown from 495 members in 2020 to over 8,000 members today. Under her leadership, POCO has become an impactful voice in environmental justice and outdoor equity, creating inclusive outdoor experiences and environmental education programming for communities historically excluded from natural spaces. Pamela delivered a TEDx talk in April 2025 on children as environmental leaders and is passionate about supporting people of all ages who want to find a way to help take care of the world we live in.