Join us Monday September 21st in San Francisco at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis for a meeting filled with presentations and discussions about the estuaries and coasts of California and Baja California, Mexico. This year we are collaborating with Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) whose meeting will follow ours on September 22-25. If you are interested in attending RAE, separate registration is open and the early bird registration ends July 13, 2026.

Schedule at-a-glance

Monday September 21st
8:00 am  - 8:30 am   Registration and coffee
8:30 am  - 9:20 am   Plenary talks
9:20 am  - 10:10 am  Session 1 talks
10:10 am - 10:30 am  Break
10:30 am - 12:00 pm  Session 2 talks
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm   Lunch
1:00 pm  - 2:20 pm   Session 3 talks

2:20 pm  - 2:40 pm   Break

2:40 pm  - 4:00 pm   Session 4 talks

4:00 pm  - 4:30 pm   CAERS business meeting and closing remarks
4:30 pm  - 6:00 pm   Poster session
6:00 pm              Mixer TBD

We are pleased to announce our CAERS 2026 plenary speakers,

Dr. Rachel Wigginton and Emily Corwin, P.E.!

Dr. Rachel Wigginton is the Special Assistant for Planning and Science at the Delta Stewardship Council. Rachel was appointed to this position by Governor Newsom on January 14, 2026. In this role, she facilitates the Delta Plan Interagency Implementation Committee and its subcommittees, an 18-agency body composed of state and federal organizations, oversees the production of the annual Delta Crosscut Budget Report, and supporting other planning- and science-related initiatives within the Council. Prior to coming to the Council, Rachel was a senior environmental scientist for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy where she provided science support to the Conservancy’s grant program and led work on invasive species, drought, and environmental compliance. Rachel began her state services as a coastal scientist with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission working on Suisun Marsh policy and sea level rise adaptation. Rachel is a wetland ecologist who has earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in ecology from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Science degree in biology from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Western Kentucky University. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys reading, taking long walks with her dog, and camping.

Emily Corwin is the Interim Executive Director of the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) and a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California, with over 20 years of experience spanning environmental science and water resources engineering. Emily has led multidisciplinary teams across the public, nonprofit, and consulting sectors; guided regional collaboratives; authored peer-reviewed publications and practice guidance; and worked closely with boards, funders, and agency partners to translate science into action. Emily co-leads the Bay Area Living Shorelines Collaborative and in a previous role at Conservation International, founded the Global Green-Gray Community of Practice. She also chairs the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Task Force on Nature-Based Solutions and was recently named a co-editor for ASCE's NbS Manual of Practice. 

CAERS Meeting Registration Information 

Registration includes coffee and lunch.

Early registration ends 11:59 pm PT on Monday, August 17, 2026.

• Student early registration: $85, late & on-site: $110 

• Member early registration: $135, late & on-site: $185

• Non-member registration: $150, late & on-site: $200

Want the discounted rate and the ability to stay in touch with coastal and estuarine scientists in your region?

Become a member of CAERS ($20, $10 for students) before registering by clicking here.

Register for CAERS 2026

Student Travel Awards sponsored by California Sea Grant

Student travel awards are available based on need. Send an email to caestuarineresearchsociety@gmail.com with a statement of need (include affiliation, advisor, contact information, and statement of need). Awards will be distributed on a rolling basis until gone.

CAERS Presenter Information

·       All topics relevant to the estuaries and coasts of the Pacific Coast of North America are welcome.  

·       Please submit your presentation abstract by Monday August 17, 2026 11:59 pm PT using this:

CAERS 2026 Abstract submission form

·       Abstract format example is here. (*= presenting author):

Understanding the role of California killifish in making salt marshes pretty kick-ass

Sally Cornia^1*, Frank Ennia¹, Gary Baldi² and Perry Lichthys¹

¹Universidad de las Marismas, Ensenada, Mexico; ²Kelp Forest College, Monterey, CA

Abstract. Please put your ≤ 250-word abstract here. Use sentence cases and italicize scientific names. Include an indication of the issue being addressed, project goals, general type of methods used, a sneak peek of results and broader implications of the work. You know the drill.

·       Oral presentations will be ~12 min long with 3 min for questions (15 min total time). Please practice your talk; time limits will be strictly enforced.

·       Posters dimensions may be 48" x 36" in either landscape or portrait. Posters will be taped or pinned to poster holders, which will be provided.

Travel and Lodging Information

San Francisco Marriot Marquis

In conjunction with RAE's 2026 Coastal & Estuarine Summit, CAERS 2026 will be located at the San Francisco Marriot Marquis in the heart of San Francisco. A group rate is available of $269 per night, consistent with the GAO rate, for all attendees.

The Marriot Marquis boasts a number a high-end amenities including The View, a premier restaurant and lounge that allows you to savor the flavors of San Francisco from 39 stories high.

Additionally, the hotel offers a fitness center, on-site parking, pet friendly rooms, luggage storage, and same-day valet dry cleaning. Continental breakfast is NOT included.

780 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Travel

There is no shuttle service provided by the hotel. The Marriot Marquis can be easily accessed via BART train at the Powell Street station on the Red or Yellow lines.

San Francisco International Airport
Distance From Property: 13.8 Miles

Oakland International Airport
Distance From Property: 20.0 Miles

Parking
Parking at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis is available via on-site valet at a rate of $90 per day

To book a room for the CAERS conference, please use the link below.

Book a room here to receive our group's preferred rate