2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Main Conference: Tuesday October 20 - Thursday, October 22, 2026

Preconference: Monday October 19 - Tuesday, October 20, 2026

*Schedule subject to change.

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10:30am PDT

Wednesday October 21, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Systems based risk management has been a leading theory and approach explored at WRMC and throughout the outdoor education risk management community over the past decade. Specifically, accimaps, and accimapping, has been shown to be a leading new practice to better understand how accidents occur and how to better inspect systems within and beyond organizations. In particular, accimapping are a useful tool to identify "systems hazards," which might not be immediately visible in a linear, chain-of-risk approach to incident analysis. This presentation will look to show how a collaborative accimapping exercise after an incident occurs in the field (with both administration and field instructors) can give an organization tangible action steps and tools to reduce risk in the future. We will look at a specific incident that occurred during the Wild Rockies Field Institute's (WRFI) 2024 season, dig into the process of debriefing and accimapping together, and look at some of the outcomes and changes WRFI has made since then to address systemic issues uncovered.

Speakers

Matt-Baker-White

Executive Director, Wild Rockies Field Instutite

Matt Baker-White, M.Ed. is a seasoned field instructor, program administrator, and self-proclaimed risk nerd. As a climber, skiier, backpacker, educator, and parent, he is used to managing field-based risks. As a nonprofit executive director, he has leaned heavily into systems thinking... Read More →

Ash Sward

Enrollment and Operations Coordinator, Wild Rockies Field Institute

Ash Sward, M.Sc. is an experienced field instructor, having led sections of courses for WRFI in Montana and the Southwest. Additionally they helped stand up a local nonprofit in Missoula, MT focused on increasing access to outdoor board sports and empowering youth and marginalized... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Clackamas 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Field Practices, Breakout Session

1:30pm PDT

Making the Call: Climate Risk Decision-Making in the Field

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Multnomah

As climate-driven hazards intensify, outdoor program leaders are increasingly required to make high-stakes decisions under uncertain and rapidly changing conditions. This session explores practical decision-making frameworks that support effective risk management before, during, and after climate-related incidents. Using case studies like wildfires, flash flooding, and extreme heat, participants will examine how critical decisions are made in the field, what information is available at the time, and how outcomes are shaped by those choices. Through facilitated discussion, attendees will analyze key decision points such as when to modify or cancel programming, how to establish evacuation triggers, and how to balance competing risks to participants, staff, and organizational continuity. The session emphasizes transferable tools and frameworks that can be applied across camps, conservation corps, guiding operations, and other outdoor programs. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to strengthen decision-making processes, improve communication under pressure, and build more adaptive, climate-informed risk management systems.

Speakers

Megan Bahari

Senior Director of Disaster Mitigation and Response, American Conservation Experience

Megan Bahari is the Senior Director of Disaster Mitigation and Response at American Conservation Experience (ACE), where she leads the growth of ACE’s disaster work nationwide. She brings over a decade of experience across domestic and international emergencies, including hurricanes... Read More →

Karen Pick

National Director of Program Safety, American Conservation Experience

With over 30 years of experience teaching, guiding, and mentoring in the outdoors, Karen Pick brings a wealth of expertise to her role as National Director of Program Safety at American Conservation Experience (ACE). Her work there merges her strong background in risk management with... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Multnomah 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Field Practices, Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

Cold Water Safety Best Practices - Avoiding Fatalities and Lawsuits

Wednesday October 21, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Weyerhaeuser

The hazards of cold water immersion are well-documented and have been known for over 50 years. Despite extensive scientific research and a large number of close calls and fatalities, tragic incidents continue to occur every year.

Cold water close calls and fatalities are almost always preventable, yet many outdoor programs and commercial outfitters fail to implement best practices. Fatalities are devastating to family and friends, and also undermine the goals and objectives of outdoor programs. Wrongful death settlements alone can easily run into millions of dollars, to say nothing of legal fees and adverse publicity.

The keys to successful cold water risk management are awareness of the danger and following best practices for cold water safety. There are Five Golden Rules of cold water safety. Each is important, but it's the combination of all five that empower you to build a robust cold water safety net.

Recognition and application of cold water safety best practices empower program administrators, trip leaders, instructors, and participants to enhance program safety through the assessment and management of cold water risks.

Speakers

Moulton Avery

Founder and Director, National Center for Cold Water Safety

Founder and Director, National Center for Cold Water Safety. Internationally recognized subject matter expert with 50+ years experience. Executive Director, Center for Environmental Physiology, Washington, DC for ten years. Developed first national public health campaigns on heat... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Weyerhaeuser 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Field Practices, Breakout Session