2026 Western Matters Rural Summit

The 2026 Western Matters Rural Summit, presented by The Western Planner, is the first annual summit focused on Shared Waters, Shared Futures: Resilience, Rights, and Rural Realities. This one to one and a half day tightly curated program will provide a vital platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and capacity building for rural, county, small town, and tribal community planners and related stakeholders. The summit aims to foster inclusive discussions that honor indigenous perspectives, respect cultural heritage, and empower local decision-makers to navigate pressing 'rural realities.' Topics will address the urgent challenges of sustainability and stewardship in the Western United States, including managing diminishing resources, addressing land-use regulations, and the contentious legal landscape surrounding water rights. Prospective topics include Local Water Usage and How It Affects Day-to-Day Planning; Water for Tomorrow: Legal Framework of Water Rights, Colorado River Compact & Tribal Water; Water Partnerships in Action; Water Quality: Watershed Planning, Stormwater Management, and Green Infrastructure; and Wildfires and Water: Hazard Mitigation Planning.