Popular radio host to address salmon symposium

WASILLA — Valley residents are in line for a close encounter with a well-known radio voice.

Richard Nelson, who is known for his public radio program “Encounters,” will be the guest speaker at the Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

“He’ll be speaking about the wonder of salmon!” wrote Jessica Speed, director of the Mat-Su Salmon Habitat Partnership in an email.

Nelson’s presentation will be delivered at 6:30 p.m. at the Palmer Depot. Speed said the presentation is free, although the group is asking for a $10 suggested donation.

Nelson is a cultural anthropologist who is a past Alaska Writer Laureate. His speech will be one highlight of the symposium, which is in its eighth year and is designed to share information about salmon and their habitat in the Mat-Su, Speed said.

The symposium will be held Nov. 18 and 19 at the Depot, which is located at 610 S. Valley Way in Palmer. Nelson will being the symposium with a keynote address at 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The symposium will include lectures and presentations from various experts in salmon habitat and biology. To see a complete schedule of events, visit matsusalmon.org.

Cost to attend the two-day event is $25, although Speed said scholarships are available by emailing her at matsusalmon@tnc.org or jspeed@tnc.org.

Registration to participate in the symposium ended Tuesday, Nov. 10. However, registration is not required to attend Nelson's Wednesday night speech.