Call for Presenters

• Concurrent sessions will be organized according to specific topics (List of session topics).
• Each concurrent session is 1 hour and 45 minutes long (105 minutes). This allows for up to 5 presentations that are 20 minutes each (15-minute presentation plus 5 minutes for questions).
• Presenters are encouraged to find ways to make their presentation interactive, such as including short discussion questions for audience members to turn and talk with those around them.
• Each concurrent session will have two session chairs who plan and facilitate the session.
• Session chairs are welcome to submit a presentation proposal as a speaker in their session or another session topic.

• Poster presentations are an overview of a project, initiative or research area, and may be on any topic related to native plants. The maximum dimension for accepted posters will be 45 x 45 inches.
• There will be a poster session for presenters to showcase and discuss their posters on February 5, 2026.
• If you are submitting a poster on behalf of a CNPS Chapter or other organization, possible topic ideas include wins for open space conservation or lawsuits, activities to conserve individual plant species/communities, demonstration gardens, collaboration efforts, successful public outreach endeavors, or successful conservation projects.

• Lightning Talks are 5-minute talks presented to a large audience of conference attendees. They are part of a 80-minute Lightning Talk session.
• Lightning Talks can speak to any topic related to native plants. 

• 30-word or 200-character limit 
• In bold, with scientific names italicized 

• 250-word or 2,000-character limit 
• Begin with a clear statement of the subject, problem, or objectives 
• Provide brief methods and major results if the presentation is focused on research 
• Descriptions should explain the purpose of the work and main takeaways 
• Do not include literature citations 

• When you input your information, spell out the full affiliation name (e.g., University of California, Los Angeles) but use two-letter state abbreviations in the location (e.g., Los Angeles, CA) 
• List all co-authors you would like to include in the Conference program. The name of the presenter(s) should be underlined. 

• Concurrent sessions will be organized according to specific topics. Please indicate the topic that your presentation most aligns with, as well as secondary and third options. (List of session topics)
• Topic choices are not guaranteed; your presentation may be categorized under a different topic based on availability. 

• You can save your submission by pressing Submit and return to complete it later.
• Once you submit your proposal, you will receive a confirmation email.
• You may return to the proposal submission page and log back in to submit a new proposal or edit a previously submitted one at any time up until 11:59 PM on August 31, 2025.

CNPS is committed to high quality presentations; thus, proposals will be submitted for a thorough review process. Proposals will be reviewed by members of the Sessions Committee, composed of professionals and volunteers with extensive experience in their respective topics.