New York State
Environmental Technical Working Group
2026 State of the Science
Building on a Strong Foundation:
Deepening Knowledge and Finding Collaborative Solutions
About the Conference
State of the Science on Offshore Energy, Wildlife and Fisheries.
June 8-11 2026
Stony Brook University, Long Island, New York
Conference Goals
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Engaging and informing interested stakeholders about the state of knowledge regarding wildlife, fisheries, and offshore wind energy development, including ongoing efforts to understand, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts
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Promoting regional coordination by sharing updates on research studies, guidelines development, and other efforts in the eastern U.S. and elsewhere
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Promoting collaboration through expert information exchange and discussion
The overall theme of the 2026 Conference is “Building on a Strong Foundation: Deepening Knowledge and Finding Collaborative Solutions”.
Conference FAQs
Where and when do I check in for the conference?
Conference check in will be from 8:00-9:00 am on Monday June 8th, and 7:30-9:00 am on Tuesday, June 9th in the lobby of the Student Activities Center. Late registration will also be possible if you arrive later in the week.
How accessible is State of the Science?
We are dedicated to making our event inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of individual abilities or circumstances. For questions about access or to request accommodations that will help facilitate your full participation in this event (including but not limited to ALD/assistive listening devices, CART/real-time captioning, wheelchair access, dietary restrictions, lactation room access, and gender-neutral restroom access), please contact Eleanor Eckel at eleanor.eckel@briwildlife.org.
How do I access WiFi at the workshop?
During the conference you have free access to Stony Brook WiFi. To log in, select "WolfieNet-Guest" WiFi Network, then you will be directed to the network login screen. Enter your name and email address, accept the terms of use and click "Register". For more information visit: https://it.stonybrook.edu/help/kb/logging-in-to-wolfienet-guest If you have any issues with the Wi-Fi log in, please contact the Service Desk @ 631-632-9800 for assistance.
How do I use the conference app?
There is mobile and web app to view conference sessions and other important information. You will need to access the app to ask questions of speakers during Q&A sessions. View the website version of the conference app here.
Open the Mobile App by following the instructions below.
1. Go to the mobile app store and search for “Cvent Events” app. You will see the app logo – a blue square with a white “C” in the middle.
2. Once the app is downloaded, open it and you will be taken to a search page where you can search for the event.
3. Search the event by typing in “State of the Science” and the 2026 event will pop-up.
4. You will be prompted to enter your name, and email. Your name and email must match your name and email used to register for this event.
5. A verification code will be sent to your email and/or mobile number.
6. Enter the verification code and your are logged in to the event app.
What is the dress code for the conference?
There is no specific dress code for the conference. We recommend that you dress appropriately for a professional event and wear layers (in case of heat or over-air conditioning).
What does the registration cost cover?
Registration includes attendance at all regular sessions and symposia, catered breakfasts and lunches, a dinner, and a reception during the event. Coffee and tea will be available throughout the conference, with snacks at some conference breaks. Breakfast is included with registration on June 9-11; lunch is included June 8-10. Appetizers will be provided at evening receptions, along with a cash bar. Dietary restriction information was submitted with your conference registration, and we will do our best to ensure options are available for everyone.
Who receives a registration discount?
Discounts are available to E-TWG and F-TWG members, E-TWG specialist committee members, workshop staff, New York State agency employees, and fisheries stakeholders.
Who is considered a fisheries stakeholder?
People who are directly engaged in the fishing industry (commercial or for–hire).
Who should I contact if I have a question about my registration?
Please contact either Bethany Meys at stateofthescience@nyserda.ny.gov or Eleanor Eckel at Eleanor.Eckel@briwildlife.org.
Can I attend the conference virtually?
Yes, there is a virtual option on the registration page. All sessions will be live-streamed to provide virtual participation.
Code of Conduct
All participants are expected to behave in a professional and appropriate manner in all conference venues and conference social events. Please see Doing Business with NYSERDA webpage for NYSERDA’s policies, including its harassment and discrimination policy. This policy applies to all conference participants.
Inappropriate behavior during conference activities includes the following:
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Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
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Verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, or support staff member.
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Disruption of presentations.
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Inclusion of promotional materials in presentations, postings, and messages.
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Copying presentations, Q&A, verbal or written discussions, or chat room activity that takes place in the virtual space. This includes taking screenshots, making audio or visual recordings, and distributing said copies or recordings (via social media or any other means). Please be respectful of speakers and do not take or distribute pictures of or copy presentation materials without explicit permission from the speaker.
Communications Guidelines
The convening parties of the workshop maintain responsibility for all press communications about the project. This event is a workshop and is not intended for the media. We respectfully request that participants contact the workshop planning team regarding the distribution of information related to the project.
Data Privacy
The 2026 Workshop will utilize the event platform Cvent. The Cvent privacy policy is available here.
If you choose to participate in the State of the Science Conference you are also consenting to the following: Stony Brook A/V staff will be live streaming sessions for virtual attendees to view in Cvent in real time during the workshop. Video recordings of the sessions and Q&A periods will be made available on this website following the event. The State of the Science Workshop and NYSERDA may use the email you provided to contact you about future State of the Science events and proceedings, which you can opt-out of at any time.
Conference Organizers
The State of the Science is hosted by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) on behalf of the Offshore Wind Environmental Technical Working Group (E-TWG) and the Fisheries Technical Working Group (F-TWG). This year's organizers include:
Scientific Planning Committee
Kate Williams, Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI; Committee Chair); Sue Barco, Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative; Sandi Brewster-Walker, Montaukett Nation; Colleen Brust, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Grace Chang, Integral Consulting; Jon Choi, Duke University; Doug Christel, National Marine Fisheries Service; Julia Dombrowski, National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium; Cris Hein, National Lab of the Rockies; Ursula Howson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; Juliet Lamb, The Nature Conservancy; Julia Livermore, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management; Carl LoBue, The Nature Conservancy; AJ Mabaka, Stony Brook University; Lisa Methratta, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Laura Morse, JASCO; Kim Peters, Ørsted; Mike Pol, Responsible Offshore Science Alliance; Howard Rosenbaum, Wildlife Conservation Society; Brendan Runde, The Nature Conservancy.
Organizing Committee
Kate McClellan Press, NYSERDA (Committee Chair); Morgan Brunbauer, NYSERDA; Brian Dresser, TetraTech; Eleanor Eckel, BRI; Kelli Gormley, NYSERDA; Julia Gulka, BRI; Kelly Hammond, NYSERDA; Zoe Korpi, BRI; Leigh LaMartina, BRI; Bethany Meys, NYSERDA; Kate Williams, BRI
Photo credits: Banner Atlantic puffin © Julia Gulka;