March 19-21, 2026
A Symposium on Invasive and Native Species for Long Island’s Future
resilient long island symposium
Resilient Long Island is a symposium in which community members, researchers, and professionals are invited to learn how to foster resilient ecological communities. After learning about native plants, invasive species management strategies, restoration practices, and more, attendees will be inspired to take action. Whether you are interested in the ecology of your backyard or tools for professional management, this event has something for everyone.
Hosted by the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area and the Long Island Native Plant Initiative at Hofstra University– and other locations– expect three action-packed days of presentations, an interactive workshop, a happy hour poster session, and more!
Call for posters
The 2026 Resilient Long Island Symposium Poster Session Happy Hour will be held on the evening of March 19th. Poster abstracts are being reviewed on a rolling basis. Poster presentations may briefly summarize research or a practical project. Presenters will introduce their topic during the poster slam, and will later have the opportunity to speak further with guests on their work during the poster session. Poster presentations should address one of the following topics. Submissions in similar related topics will be considered.
- Invasive species management or research
- Native plant propagation, care, etc.
- Restoration, ecological resilience, or other related ecological topics
- Diversity, equity and inclusion in conservation, such as topics on inclusive volunteerism and community science
- March 19 - Poster Session Happy Hour at Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood
- March 20 - Main Event at Hofstra
- March 21 - Workshop at Hempstead Plains
- Who Can Attend? Open to the Public and Professionals
Submit your questions to our speakers
Anything on your mind before the symposium? Submit your question here and it might be selected to read live during the event!
March 19: Poster Social
Join us for our poster social at the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood from 5:30pm-8:00pm, featuring:
- Lightning Poster Presentations from Local Researchers and Professionals
- Local Beer, Wine, & Refreshments!
March 20: Symposium
Hofstra University, 8 am – 5 pm
Sondra & David S. Mack Student Center (Free parking available on campus)
This main event will consist of expert presentations and talks on native plants, restoration, invasive species, and conservation!
Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Peter Del Tredici.
March 21: Workshops
This workshop at Hempstead Plains will feature hands-on activities and demonstrations, including:
- Fire ecology
- iMapInvasives
- Flame weeding (weather permitting)
Workshop presenters include: Rob Longiaru, Polly Weigand, and LIISMA Staff.
Tickets Available Now
Sponsor a Resilient Future
With a variety of sponsorship levels and benefits, there is room for everyone to get involved. Send any questions to resilientli@liisma.org
Big
Bluestem
$5000
Butterfly
weed
$2500
Beach
plum
$1000
Seaside
goldenrod
$500
Little
Bluestem
$200
- Ten complimentary registrations
- An exhibit table with tablecloth
- Your logo on promotional materials, website, and newsletter
- Full page advertisement in program; XL- logo on presentation slides
- Listing for one year as a sustaining sponsor
- Multi-platform social tags
- Ability to sponsor a session & refreshments
- Prominent banner display
- Verbal recognition
- Six complimentary registrations
- An exhibit table with tablecloth
- Your logo on promotional materials, website, and newsletter
- Half page advertisement in program
- Large logo on presentation slides
- Listing for nine months as a sustaining sponsor
- Multi-platform social tags
- Ability to sponsor a session & refreshments
- Four complimentary registrations
- An exhibit table with tablecloth
- Logo on promotional materials, website, and newsletter
- Quarter page advertisement in program
- Small logo on presentation slides
- Several advertisements
- Listing for 6 months as a sustaining sponsor
- Two complimentary registrations
- An exhibit table with tablecloth
- Logo on promotional materials, website, newsletter, and program
- Small logo on presentation slides
- Several advertisements
- Listing for 3 months as a sustaining sponsor
Non-profits only
- Two complimentary registrations
- An exhibit table with tablecloth
- Logo on promotional materials, website, and program
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Credits will be offered for Landscape Architecture (LACES), Society of American Foresters (SAF), and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional (CNLP) and NYSDEC Pesticide.
Follow this link to see the credits offered per session:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fklyg2vUw6FYg_r7tGvHDLWOU6JxZmt9/view?usp=sharing
Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks will be available at the poster social.
Coffee, refreshments, and lunch (sandwiches and salads) is included in the Friday in-person ticket price.
There will be coffee provided at the Saturday workshop.
If your organization is a non-profit or governmental organization, you can apply to have an exhibit table at this event upon registration. If you are a for-profit or non-profit, you may opt-in to exhibit tabling as a sponsor of the event.
Ample free parking is available at all locations.
At Hofstra: There is no fee for parking. Parking can be found on the North side of campus in marked parking lots.
There is no hotel block reserved for attendees. However, there are several hotels in the vicinity of the Hofstra campus. For a complete list, please visit: https://www.hofstra.edu/visitors/hotels.html.
We are offering free tickets to Hofstra students & faculty, event volunteers, presenters and poster presenters, sponsors, and PRISM staff.
We are offering discounted tickets to all other students, seniors (65+), LINPI volunteers, and NYSDEC Employees.
To request discount code: Please email resilientli@liisma.org with subject line “Special Ticket Request“. Please include your reason for special ticket eligibility in the body of the email. Apply the discount code at checkout.
Many Thanks to Our Sponsors
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Hofstra University Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability
Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood
Long Island Natives
KMS Native Plants
Dropseed Native Landscapes
ReWild Long Island
The Tick Suit
Land Use Ecological Services
Glover Perennials
Nelson, Pope & Voorhis, LLC
Many Thanks to Our Non-Profit Partners
Avalon Nature Preserve
South Shore Audubon Society
North Shore Land Alliance
Northport Native Garden Initiative
Seatuck Environmental Association
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
Perfect Earth Project
Peconic Land Trust
Save the Great South Bay
CEED – Center for Environmental Education and Discovery, Inc.
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center
Sierra Club Long Island Group
Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
Surfrider Foundation
Coindre Hall Park Community
New York Flora Association
Peconic Estuary Parnership
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
