Wilderness Risk Management Conference
Facing Challenges Together
The core objective of the Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) is to offer an outstanding educational experience to help you mitigate the risks inherent in exploring, working, teaching, and recreating in the outdoors. The WRMC is an annual educational conference, providing a forum to learn and share common practices in wilderness risk management and contributes to a culture of open dialogue among outdoor industry professionals. The WRMC is a collaboration between NOLS, Outward Bound USA(opens in new tab), and the Student Conservation Association(opens in new tab), in partnership with the WRMC Steering Committee.
About the WRMC
2026 WRMC Conference Details
2026 Schedule
Exhibit & Sponsor
Looking to increase brand awareness and support the WRMC? Sponsorship packages and Exhibitor table details for 2026 are now available!
Steering Committee
Meet the WRMC Steering Committee! This committee evaluates and selects educational content based on a shared risk management philosophy.
Call for Proposals & Speaker Information
Share your knowledge, expertise, or research. Click here for details on Speaker Expectations, FAQs for Presenters, and the Call for Proposals process.
Volunteer Program
Volunteers play a significant role in ensuring the WRMC runs smoothly. Meet and connect with industry experts and build lasting relationships with an incredible team of emerging leaders and industry professionals. Click here for information or to apply.
College Credit
Learn how you can earn college credit for attending the WRMC. Also find out how to use AmeriCorps or 529 funding to pay for the credit and WRMC registration. Click for more information
Scholarships
Scholarships are made possible through generous donations from the WRMC community and partners. Click here to learn more about scholarships, including how to donate or apply.
Community Recognition Awards
Professional recognition awards are presented annually for exceptional contributions to wilderness risk management in the spirit of Facing Challenges Together. Click for information and nomination forms.
Wilderness Risk Resources
WRMC offers an outstanding educational experience, check here for available resources from past conferences.
Donate to the WRMC Jim Ratz Memorial Scholarship Fund
Your donation to the WRMC scholarship fund directly supports emerging leaders and those new to wilderness risk gain the skills and knowledge they need to improve safety in their programs and advance the profession.
About the WRMC
Learning and Sharing
Attend the WRMC to gain practical risk management skills, network with others in the industry, share field and administrative techniques, and help develop risk management standards for the outdoor adventure and education industries.
Attendee Outcomes and Benefits:
- Access to over 50 workshops as well as networking events, Keynote reception, Award Ceremony, and the Adventure Risk Research Symposium.
- Learn tangible action items from industry experts to implement into your own work and organization post-conference.
- Experience meaningful engagement with colleagues and organizations across the outdoor guiding and education sectors.
- Gain professional and personal development and be a part of a community of practitioners, researchers, emerging leaders, and industry experts working together to elevate wilderness risk management principles, knowledge, and practices.
Community, Leadership, and Belonging
The WRMC provides a forum to learn and share common practices in wilderness risk management and contributes to a culture of open dialogue among outdoor industry professionals. The WRMC is committed to the evolution of content and culture in a way that centers on community, leadership, and belonging. Commitment to these values helps perpetuate a culture of continuous improvement in industry risk management practices
NOLS is offering discounted WRMC registration to CWI and SPI Providers, AMGA Instructors, and AMGA-accredited businesses. To see the discounts you are eligible for as an AMGA member, please visit the AMGA Pro Purchase Portal(opens in new tab).
