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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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Developing Operating Thresholds for Heat and Wildfire Smoke in Outdoor Programs (FREE to attend & walk-ins welcomed)
Tuesday October 20, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Clark
Free to attend! Walk-ins welcomed, and pre-registration appreciated.

This session brings together outdoor industry professionals to develop consensus guidelines for managing two growing risks: extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Participants will collaborate to define practical operating thresholds for when to modify, postpone, or cancel trips, as well as clear protocols for responding when conditions deteriorate in the field. Through facilitated discussion and breakouts, participants will compare their own operating guidelines alongside published resources to inform a shared approach. Working in small groups, they will apply these inputs to specific scenarios to draft practical thresholds and response strategies. By the end, participants will co-create a draft framework of actionable thresholds and response strategies that can be adapted across programs. This session is designed for guides, program managers, risk managers, and organizational leaders seeking to move from ad hoc decision-making toward shared standards in an era of increasing climate variability.
Speakers
avatar for Brendan Madden

Brendan Madden

Director, Enterprise Risk, Girl Guides of Canada
Brendan Madden is the Director, Enterprise Risk at Girl Guides of Canada. He was active in the expedition-based adventure education field for 30 years, and held senior management and instructor positions at both Outward Bound Canada and NOLS. Brendan is a risk management trainer at... Read More →
avatar for Stuart Slay

Stuart Slay

Independent Risk Advisor, Slay Risk LLC
Stuart Slay is Director of Slay Risk, a safety leadership consultancy and coaching practice for outdoor programs and schools. Stuart previously led risk management at the SCA and spent a decade directing an outdoor education program at an international school in South Korea. His background... Read More →
avatar for Shana Tarter

Shana Tarter

Managing Director, Diploma in Climate Medicine, University of Colorado Climate & Health Program
Shana Tarter is the managing director of the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Diploma in Climate Medicine. Previously she served as the Associate Director of NOLS Wilderness Medicine and chaired the Wilderness Risk Management Conference Steering committee. She has been... Read More →
Tuesday October 20, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Clark 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217
  Preconference

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