Travel & Logistics
Venue, Lodging & Getting There
October 4–7, 2026 · Shelton, Washington · Early Bird $400 · Student $300 · through September 1
Conference Venue at Squaxin Island Tribe Territory
ICSR2026 will be held at the Little Creek Casino Resort, operated by the Squaxin Island Tribe in Shelton, Washington. The Squaxin Island people's ancestral territory includes much of southern Puget Sound, and they have been stewards of shellfish resources for thousands of years, maintaining deep cultural and spiritual connections to clams, oysters, and other shellfish.
Today, the Tribe continues this tradition through active shellfish management, restoration programs, and aquaculture operations, integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation science. ICSR2026 will provide unique opportunities to learn from Tribal restoration practitioners and experience Indigenous approaches to shellfish stewardship.
Venue Maps
Little Creek Casino Resort campus maps and meeting space layouts. Click any map to enlarge.
Travel & Lodging
Accommodations
Lodging for all participants can be arranged with Little Creek. The Resort offers comfortable rooms, dining options, and all conference facilities on-site.
- By phone: Call 800.667.7711 and mention block name International Conference on Shellfish Restoration - ICSR 2026
- Online: Book at Little Creek — Code: 1026ICSR
Block deadline: September 1, 2026
Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is the closest major airport, approximately 75 miles northeast of Shelton (~90-minute drive). Rental cars are recommended. Third-party shuttle services to the Shelton area are also available.
Location & Parking
The resort is located in Shelton, Washington, a short drive from Olympia (Washington's state capital). Free parking is available at the resort.
Registration Fees
All fees are in USD. Conference registration includes access to all scientific sessions, the Poster Session & Art Show, the Welcome Reception, the Tuesday salmon & clam cookout, and all coffee breaks. Field trips are optional add-ons and are ticketed separately (see the Program page).
Payment via credit card, ACH, or bank transfer. Sponsorship, invoice, and group registration questions: inbox@shellfish-society.org
International Attendees & Accessibility
Travelling from Outside the US
ICSR 2026 welcomes attendees from around the world. If you require a visa to enter the United States, you may need an official invitation letter from the conference organizers to support your application.
To request an invitation letter, email inbox@shellfish-society.org with your full name, affiliation, and passport country. We recommend beginning the visa process early.
Accessibility
Little Creek Casino Resort is ADA-accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs or require accommodations during the conference, please contact us in advance so we can make arrangements.
Email inbox@shellfish-society.org with any accessibility requests.
The conference venue offers accessible parking, entrances, restrooms, and meeting rooms. Dietary accommodations are collected during registration.
Important Dates
Conference Dates
October 4-7, 2026
Key Deadlines
- April 6 — Registration & abstract submission open
- June 12 — Abstract deadline
- July 10 — Final program posted on website
- September 1 — Early bird registration ends
- September 1 — Hotel block deadline
Add-On: 45th Annual Oyster Fest
Arriving early? The 45th Annual Oyster Fest takes place in Shelton on October 3–4 — right before ICSR 2026. Enjoy the world champion shucking competition, a seafood feast, and a total taste of place. Shuttles are available from the venue.
This is an independent community event and is not affiliated with or organized by ISRS or PSRF. Attendees participate at their own discretion.
Bring a Shell from Your Waters
We invite all attendees to bring one or more shells of native shellfish from your home waters and tidelands. Please label each shell with the species and location. All shells will be displayed in a woven kelp basket — a collective, global symbol of the shellfish we are working to restore.
Please ensure shells are thoroughly dry-cured and free of organic material to prevent the introduction of pathogens or invasive species. International attendees: please check import restrictions with your country’s customs authority and USDA APHIS before travelling with shells.
Code of Conduct
ICSR2026 is committed to providing a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all participants. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and inappropriate behavior. All attendees are expected to treat each other with respect, welcome diverse perspectives, and refrain from unauthorized photography or recording.
Read Full Code of Conduct Questions? inbox@shellfish-society.org
Planning Committee & Program Team
Planning Committee
- Betsy Peabody, Chair — Puget Sound Restoration Fund
- Aaron Kornbluth — ISRS
- Lisa Paton — ISRS
- Bill Taylor — Taylor Shellfish
- Viviane Barry — Suquamish Tribe
- Ryan Crim — Puget Sound Restoration Fund
- Elsa Schwartz — Puget Sound Restoration Fund
- Julieta Martinelli — WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
- Phoebe Racine — The Nature Conservancy
- Kerstin Wasson — Elkhorn Slough NERR; NOOC
- LaDon Swann — National Sea Grant, Aquaculture Liaison
Program Team
- Julieta Martinelli, Co-Chair — WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
- Peter Kingsley-Smith, Co-Chair
- Michael Doall — Stony Brook University
- Jeff Hetrick — Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
- Philine zu Ermgassen — Native Oyster Restoration Alliance
- Ryan Crim — Puget Sound Restoration Fund
- Betsy Peabody — Puget Sound Restoration Fund
- Matthew Gray — Univ. of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
- Dominic McAfee — Adelaide University
- Melissa Poe — Washington Sea Grant, Univ. of Washington