2024 Choose Clean Water Conference Recap

Each year, the Coalition's Choose Clean Water Conference provides a three-day forum for participants to learn about the most important and up-to-date Chesapeake restoration issues, network with fellow Chesapeake Bay supporters and activists, develop strategies to advance federal, regional and local restoration goals, and learn from successes.

For our 2024 conference, we convened in Ellicott City, Maryland, exploring the theme, A New Era for Clean Water. More than 310 clean water advocates attended, gathering at a critical time in the restoration effort of the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers and streams that feed it. The backdrop of Ellicott City was fitting. Closely associated with record flooding and the threats posed by increased extreme weather events due to climate change, Ellicott City and the surrounding area had many lessons to offer.

As always, this conference sought to unite our Coalition of more than 300 nonprofit organizations. We hope the sharing of new tools, resources, and experiences—all while building and cultivating critical relationships—helped equip and inspire conference attendees to accelerate their work for clean water.

We also convened our first “Conference Kickoff,” an afternoon seminar which took a deep dive into the future of the Bay restoration effort. Titled A Watershed Moment: Chesapeake Bay Restoration Beyond 2025, this event was an excellent opportunity to provide feedback on the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership's plan for the next stage of the Bay cleanup.

The full list of recordings of our Conference Kickoff and plenaries are available on the Coalition’s YouTube channel.

Many of the slide decks and resources shared in Conference sessions and workshops are also available.

Photos by Carolyn Millard, Kara Siglin, and Drew Robinson unless otherwise noted.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

The Choose Clean Water Conference is important to our Coalition members as it is an opportunity for participants to learn about innovative restoration approaches from experts, engage in discussions with other attendees from different parts of the watershed, and see on-the-ground examples of local work. But this gathering was not possible without sponsors partnering with us to provide a unique and powerful experience to attendees.

We are so grateful for the 2024 Choose Clean Water Conference Sponsors!

Patapsco Sponsor - $10,000

Choptank Sponsors - $5,000

 
 
 
 

Potomac Sponsors - $2,500

 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, May 20

1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Conference Kickoff

A Watershed Moment: Chesapeake Bay Restoration Beyond 2025

As we near the 2025 deadline to have clean water protections in place as part of the Bay restoration effort, we must recommit to providing clean water to every person in the Bay region. Protecting and restoring the Bay’s rivers and streams will require innovation, commitment to following the latest science, and an unprecedented level of collaboration. This is especially true given the challenges presented by a warming climate, deforestation, and population growth.

Join us for an afternoon seminar when we will explore how we can enter a new era for clean water in the Bay watershed. This event is the premier opportunity to provide feedback on the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership’s plan to recalibrate the collective effort to protect and restore the rivers and streams that feed the Bay beyond 2025. We will also explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership as we seek to accelerate our work for clean water.

View the entire proceedings of the 2024 Choose Clean Water Conference Kickoff.

1:30-1:35
Welcome and a Brief History
Join us as we kick off this year’s 2024 Choose Clean Water Conference with A Watershed Moment: Chesapeake Bay Restoration Beyond 2025. We will provide a brief overview of how we got here and the status of the 2014 Chesapeake Watershed Agreement.

1:35-2:00
Ripples of Progress: Conversations on the Past, Present, and Future of Chesapeake Bay Restoration
Martha Shimkin, EPA Chesapeake Bay Program
Kristin Saunders, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Mariah Davis, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Jill Witcomb, PA Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management 
Lara Lutz, Bay Journal (Moderator)
As we find ourselves at this critical juncture for the Chesapeake watershed, it is important that we have collaborative conversations with a variety of stakeholders to ensure we learn from the successes and shortcomings of the past and make the necessary changes to achieve all of our goals in the future. Join us as we invite four current leaders in the movement to the table for a conversation on the past, present and future of our collective work.

2:00-2:30
Proposed Recommendations from the Beyond 2025 Steering Committee
Martha Shimkin, EPA Chesapeake Bay Program 
Anna Killius, Chesapeake Bay Commission
For the last year, the Chesapeake Bay Program has convened a Beyond 2025 Steering Committee who is charged with proposing recommendations to the Chesapeake Executive Council at their December 2025 meeting. Hear more about the work of the committee over the last year, and what the Beyond 2025 Steering Committee is currently discussing as its draft recommendation proposal.

2:30-2:50
Let’s Hear It!
Lara Lutz, Bay Journal (Moderator)
You have just heard from Bay leaders on the future of the restoration effort, and now it is time to hear from you! Use the QR code on the tables and open Mentimeter to participate in this real-time feedback session.

2:50-3:00
Break
Please enjoy some refreshments and make your way to the breakout of your choice.

3:00-3:45
Let’s Get to Work!
There are nine break out groups set up around the room and in the Amphitheater. Each group represents one or two goals currently in the Bay Agreement. Self-select which group you would like to join to review the current goals and outcomes and brainstorm ideas and changes necessary for the future of the Program.

Breakout Topics

  1. Sustainable Fisheries
    Moderator: Allison Colden, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

  2. Vital Habitats 
    Moderator: Laura Bankey, National Aquarium

  3. Water Quality
    Moderator: Evan Isaacson, Chesapeake Legal Alliance

  4. Toxic Contaminants
    Moderator: Maria Russo, West Virginia Rivers Coalition

  5. Land Conservation/Healthy Watersheds
    Moderator: Sara Ramotnik, Choose Clean Water Coalition

  6. Public Access
    Moderators: Pam Goddard and Ed Sterli, National Park Conservation Association

  7. Environmental Literacy/Stewardship
    Moderator: Amy Wyant, Otsego County Conservation Association

  8. Climate Resiliency
    Moderator: Rosa Hance, Choose Clean Water Coalition

  9. DEIJ
    Moderators: Julie Lawson, DOEE and Julia Wakling, DOEE

3:45-4:35
Let’s Hear It–Round Two!
Lara Lutz, Bay Journal (Moderator)
Now that we have solved all the problems of the restoration effort (kidding) we will regroup to view the report out from each group and identify themes that came from the group. There will be an opportunity for a few questions.

4:35-4:50
Next Steps on Public Engagement
Rachel Felver, Chesapeake Bay Program
Kristin Reilly, Choose Clean Water Coalition
The Chesapeake Bay Program is set to launch a public engagement period on the Draft Beyond 2025 Recommendations from July 1-August 31. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to offer support, changes, or alternative suggestions to what is being proposed. The Coalition is also launching its advocacy on the Coalition’s vision for Beyond 2025 the first week of June.

4:50-5:00
Closing Remarks and Housekeeping
Kristin Reilly, Choose Clean Water Coalition
Drew Robinson, Choose Clean Water Coalition
Whew–what a day! Thank you all for attending and being part of this important conversation. It is just the beginning! Let’s debrief what we have accomplished and heard today and provide an overview of what you can expect for the rest of the evening (drinks!) and for the rest of the conference.

5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Networking Reception

Stick around following our Conference Kickoff and connect with fellow clean water advocates

Tuesday, May 21

8:00-9:00 Breakfast and Registration Opens

9:00-9:45 Welcome and Opening Plenary

Welcome to the 2024 Choose Clean Water Conference!

Maryland's Governor Wes Moore helped welcome attendees to the 2024 Choose Clean Water Conference.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz delivered the opening keynote for the 2024 Choose Clean Water Conference.

Kristin Reilly, Choose Clean Water Coalition
Marisa Olszewski, Maryland League of Conservation Voters
KEYNOTE: Secretary Josh Kurtz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

As part of the Moore/Miller Administration in Maryland, Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz leads teams across the state that are working to improve water quality and bay resilience, restore and conserve forested land, expand access to our state parks, monitor and slow the spread of invasive species, and ensure the state maintains sustainable fisheries. Secretary Kurtz will discuss ongoing efforts to accelerate progress on the Chesapeake Bay cleanup and detail clean water strategies being implemented in Maryland.

10:00-11:45 Workshops and Sessions

10:00-11:45 // Workshop
A New Era for Environmental Justice: Government Actions Across the Watershed
Aneca Atkinson, Maryland Department of the Environment
Neha Bhatt, District of Columbia Office of Energy and Environment
Angela Davis, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Jenna Dodson, West Virginia Rivers Coalition
Justin Dula, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Rebecca Rehr, Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Danielle Simms, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed, poor and marginalized communities suffer disproportionate impacts from pollution. Many Bay states have offices and programs to combat environmental injustice which are benefiting from an energized federal focus on environmental justice. With state and federal support, they have built new screening and mapping tools, established metrics to address inequities in pollution burden, and increased public engagement in their policy and regulatory processes. During this workshop, you will hear from environmental justice leaders within state governments working in DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Building on an initial conversation in the Coalition’s Equity Workgroup, they will discuss newly passed legislation, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen environmental justice regulations that will deliver the greatest impact in overburdened communities. Participants will join other attendees to discuss topics including how to increase public participation in environmental justice programs, funding barriers, and the development of comprehensive equity plans.

10:00-11:45 // Workshop
Masters of Translation: Best Practices in Science Communication
Sidney Anderson, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Ann Foo, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Nathan Miller, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Communicating science effectively helps solve environmental problems by promoting the preservation of coastal and estuarine habitats, showcasing the many benefits and resources those habitats provide and supporting cultural heritage through transdisciplinary science and inclusive stakeholder approaches. This workshop will improve participants’ science communication capabilities and help participants translate their science to reach broader audiences. The majority of the workshop features interactive, hands-on activities such as “Conceptionary” and “Title Pursuit.” Participants will create products that are designed to help communicate with their intended audiences and learn best practices of science communication.

10:00-11:45 // Workshop
Holy Crap! Let’s Talk Septics
Emily Ranson, Clean Water Action
Andy Lazur, University of Maryland Extension
Eddie Harrison, Maryland Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association
Annie Richards, ShoreRivers
Pollution from septic systems remains a stubborn obstacle and growing concern in the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. Essentially tiny wastewater treatment plants, septic systems play a major role in local water quality, drinking water quality, and home values. Join this workshop to learn about septic systems– how they work, the role they play in water quality, and what can be done to improve their use. Participants will also learn how Maryland environmentalists and industry are working together for clean water.

10:00-10:45 // Session
Turning Belief into Action: Congregations as Ambassadors for Protecting Water Quality
Naomi Edelson, National Wildlife Federation
Parveeza Shaikh, Islamic Community Center of Laurel
As respected community institutions, faith-based congregations are ambassadors to galvanize action through the lens of Caring for Creation. National Wildlife Federation’s Sacred Grounds Program worked with a multi-faith/race cohort of Black and Latino churches, synagogues, and mosques in the DC metro area to address nonpoint source pollution and climate adaptation to increasing extreme rainfall. This session will share the behavior change principles that informed the strategies used to change lawn management practices removing turf grass with native plants and introduce participants to financial incentives offered by local governments to address stormwater runoff. Evaluation results indicate that a high majority of members planted native plants at home and intend to expand their use in landscaping.

10:00-10:45 // Session
Plastics in the Chesapeake: Perspectives from Federal Agencies
Katie Morgan, NOAA Marine Debris Program
Kelly Somers, EPA Region 3 Water Division
Our ocean, coasts, and watersheds are filled with items that do not belong there. Large amounts of plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, derelict vessels, and other lost or discarded items enter the environment every day. This makes plastic pollution and marine debris one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the world's waterways and ocean. The NOAA Marine Debris Program and EPA Trash Free Waters Program will provide conference attendees with an overview of ongoing federally coordinated work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and the future of plastic pollution initiatives in the coming years.

11:00-11:45 // Session
Clean Water and a Healthy Democracy
Samantha Lockhart, National Wildlife Federation
The polling is in and Americans agree: we all want clean water. So why isn’t our work to protect and restore our waterways easy? This session will walk through how clean water, environmental justice, and a healthy democracy go hand-in-hand. During the session, attendees will learn about the current obstacles to voting and public participation in our democracy. The session will also share opportunities for organizations to join the movement to increase civic engagement in efforts to both strengthen our democracy and protect clean water. This is a c3 presentation and will not discuss specific candidates or parties.

11:00-11:45 // Session
Using Watershed Report Cards to Engage Diverse Audiences
Lydia Lawrence, Nature Forward
Petra Baldwin, Anacostia Riverkeeper
With the Chesapeake Bay's 2025 restoration goals quickly approaching, Bay organizations are evaluating how to reshape Chesapeake Bay goals to make them more inclusive and accessible. This session will showcase how watershed report cards create an accessible entry point to investment in clean water, by exploring two different reports cards with local focuses – one on local stream health and the other on bacteria and other water quality metrics at popular urban recreation sites. Attendees will learn how each of these report cards make stewardship of local waterways more personalized to their respective communities. Both of these report cards target watersheds in urban communities, whose residents do not feel a direct connection to the Bay. By focusing on local watershed issues and human health, these report cards are able to engage residents on being stewards of the Bay health through caring for their local watershed.

12:00-1:00 Lunch and Midday Plenary

Brave Spaces: Supporting the Next Generation

Maya Alexander, Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
Curtis Bennett, National Aquarium
Kristin Reilly, Choose Clean Water Coalition

YPC participants at March 2023 training.

It's no secret that there is a racial diversity gap within the Chesapeake Bay restoration movement. Historically, clean water organizations have struggled to attract and retain diverse staff. The loss of this unique perspective has hampered our work for clean water. To address this challenge, for eight years, the Coalition's Young Professionals of Color (YPC) Mentorship Program has inspired, supported, and equipped more than 200 individuals of color through a suite of customized trainings and tailored relationships. This interactive plenary will feature long-time YPC participants speaking on the impact of the program on their career, the need for organizational investment in programs that empower diverse communities and staff, and how their YPC experience has prepared them to thrive in the environmental field.

It was standing-room only in the ballroom for this insightful conversation on the Coalition's Young Professionals of Color Mentorship Program.

This video exploring the history of the Coalition and its impact for clean water premiered at the lunch plenary on Tuesday.

1:15-2:00 Sessions

Waters of Life: Strategies for the Education and Protection of Vernal Pools
Mark Southerland, Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Rachel Gauza, Montgomery Parks
Jorge Borgantes Montero, Anacostia Watershed Society
Vernal pools are unique ecosystems that filter stormwater and provide biodiversity at the human scale—maybe in your own backyard. These depressions in the forest landscape hold water only part of the year and therefore do not support fish. Without fish, vernal pools support species that can breed nowhere else—specifically wood frogs, spotted and other mole salamanders, and fairy shrimp. Many other plants and animals, such as spotted turtles, also use vernal pools. Attendees will learn about vernal pools, the threats they face, and actions governments and individuals can take to support local biodiversity and clean water.

Talking 2025: Navigating Nuance in Our Communications
Drew Robinson, Choose Clean Water Coalition
Melissa Diemand, Potomac Conservancy
Nicole Vaughan, Virginia Conservation Network
Right now is a critical moment in our work to restore the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers and streams that feed it. But the approaching deadline to have all pollution reduction practices in place as part of the Bay restoration effort presents thorny communications challenges. Join this session to learn tips and tricks on how to talk about our work for clean water beyond 2025 and explore how we can effectively communicate and motivate different audiences to get behind this next crucial phase of restoration. We will also discuss what lessons we can take away from communicating on 2025 to identify best practices for communicating on any issue with complex and sensitive policy and science.

Protecting Communities from Toxic Forever Chemicals
Betsy Nicholas, Potomac Riverkeeper Network
Brent Walls, Potomac Riverkeeper Network
Toxic "forever chemicals" are everywhere, threatening public health and our environment. PFAS (per-and polyfluorolkyl substances) are a class of more than 9,000 synthetic chemicals that do not easily break down but instead build up and persist in our bodies, soil, water, and wildlife. Even at very low levels, PFAS can cause significant human health harms, including cancer, harm to fetal and infant development, and reduced immune function. This session will explore how communities can build knowledge and engagement to leverage further study, assessment, and regulatory changes to reduce the public health threat of these pervasive chemicals.

Thomas Point Lighthouse, a proposed site in the Chesapeake National Recreation Area

It's Time for a Chesapeake National Recreation Area!
Ed Sterli, National Parks Conservation Association
Joel Dunn, Chesapeake Conservancy
National Parks. National Seashores. National Recreation Areas. What’s the difference between these designations? And why is the Chesapeake Bay not recognized on a national level? Join this session to learn the answers to those questions and more about recent legislation to establish the Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). If created, the CNRA that would form a collection of state, local, and private partnerships throughout the watershed that celebrates cultural and natural diversity; strengthens environmental stewardship; and increases public access to all the Chesapeake has to offer.

The Next Generation to Gather and Grow
Carly Dean, Chesapeake Conservancy
Emily Morrow, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The recent influx of funding for conservation work is a major win for clean water, but our success will only go as far as the capacity to implement and maintain restoration projects. In 2024, partners across Pennsylvania and Maryland will launch a new five-year program called “Gather and Grow” to train the next generation of conservation leaders. Trainees will receive paid, fully-immersive educational experiences in an effort to address gaps in workforce capacity surrounding nature-based restoration efforts and climate solutions. Join us this session to learn more about the “Gather and Grow” program and explore how you can help cultivate the next generation of conservation leaders.

2:30-5:30 Field Trips

A Deep Dive: Water Quality and Vernal Pool Field Exploration
Mandy DeLeo, Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Mark Southerland, Patapsco Heritage Greenway
Explore water quality assessment methods used by volunteers and staff with Patapsco Heritage Greenway at David Force Natural Resource Area, across from Turf Valley Resort. During this walking field trip, participants will learn about stream monitoring and vernal pools. The stream monitoring portion will focus on physical, chemical, and biological methods of assessment. During the vernal pool module, participants will learn what vernal pools are, why they are significant, and what can be done to protect them. This is a hands-on experience, so wear waterproof boots and comfortable outdoor clothing as we will be outside for the duration of the field trip.

Tale of Two Cities: EJ Impacts of Catastrophic Flooding
Bonnie Sorak, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake
This bus trip will take in sites in Old Ellicott City and underserved West Baltimore which each experienced two, thousand-year floods in two years killing people, destroying hundreds of cars, and flooding property. The sites present a neighboring dichotomy – the first site features planning and implementation underway with massive and innovative flood control projects, including sub-street grade storage and multiple stream restorations. The second site features little such efforts. Sites will be narrated by managers of the flood mitigation efforts and stream restoration designers and faith leaders who led neighborhood recovery efforts. PBS flooding video can be viewed here.

Watershed Public Charter: Green Infrastructure Goes to School
Natalie Cohen, National Wildlife Federation
Lori Widney, Watershed Public Charter School
Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) partnered with Watershed Public Charter School (WPCS), Blue Water Baltimore, and CityScape Engineering to develop and implement a Green Infrastructure Plan that transformed the WPCS campus. Utilizing NWF’s Schoolyard Habitats program, these green stormwater best management practices (BMPs) improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, and foster outdoor learning experiences. The trip will highlight a variety of BMPs including a rain garden, micro-bioretention, rainwater cisterns, and impervious surface removal. Participants will observe how restoration projects promote environmental literacy through outdoor education, interdisciplinary curricular connections, and environmental stewardship.

Masonville Cove: Turning the Tide on Pollution
Danielle Fisher, Maryland Port Administration
Matias Orrego, Maryland Environment Service
Masonville Cove welcomes you to experience a restoration success story in Baltimore City. Join us for a walking tour of the campus while learning about the history, restoration, community engagement, and water cleaning efforts. Participants will have the opportunity to wade into the stream and test water quality. Participants will also meet local celebrity Captain Trash Wheel and learn about how Baltimore’s trash wheels are cleaning up the harbor. We will then embark on a driving tour of the neighboring dredged material containment facility to see how the Port of Baltimore is using dredged material to restore land and water.

Trailblazing Together: BIPOC Connection Session
Maya Alexander, Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
Ife Shoola, Black Oak Collective
This field trip was designed and curated for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) environmental professionals, but is open to all. If you seek spaces to build community, connect, network, and share resources with other BIPOC professionals, then this is the place for you. During this field trip, participants will engage in a series of team building activities to cultivate a supportive community. Join us for thoughtful discussions and engaging activities as we trailblaze together to make authentic BIPOC connections.

Exploring the Font Hill Tributary Stream Restoration Project
Jimmy Dick, Environmental Quality Resources, LLC
Jeremy Koser, Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompson
The Font Hill Stream Restoration project restored more than 6,000 linear feet of stream and removes floodplain overburden to re-connect 17 acres of riparian floodplain. Environmental Quality Resources, LLC was contracted by Howard County to implement a design-build stream restoration project for both flood control and MS4 compliance in reducing sediment and nutrient pollution. Completed in 2019, the site was filled with dead ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer. Located upstream of Font Hill Park off Tuscany Road in Ellicott City, MD, this was the largest stream restoration project in Howard County. Utilizing a legacy sediment removal design technique to re-establish the hydrologic connection to the stream and floodplain, the project has helped alleviate local flooding and improve local water quality. Attendees must wear closed-toed shoes and are encouraged wear comfortable outdoor clothing as we will be outside for the duration of the field trip.
*There is no bus for this field trip and attendees must provide their own transportation to the site, approximately six minutes from Turf Valley. The Coalition will help facilitate carpooling.

Tour UMD's Central Maryland Research and Education Center
Amanda Grev, University of Maryland Extension
Nathan Glenn, University of Maryland Extension
Join University of Maryland researchers and Extension educators on a tour of the Central Maryland Research and Education Center–a place for research and education in the areas of dairy nutrition, forage and crop production, pasture and nutrient management, composting, equine grazing management, wetlands, turfgrass, commercial horticulture, and more. This center is home to the University dairy herd and small beef and equine teaching herds, and also contains a 45-acre habitat restoration site including some restored wetlands along the banks of the Middle Patuxent River, which flows through the farm. On this tour, participants will get a chance to see the facility, hear about ongoing research and educational efforts, and learn about current nutrient and manure management practices in Maryland. Closed-toed shoes are required on this walking tour.
*There is no bus for this field trip and attendees must provide their own transportation to the site, approximately nine minutes from Turf Valley. The Coalition will help facilitate carpooling.

Hike Patapsco State Park
Kara Siglin, Choose Clean Water Coalition
In past years, backpacking guide and Coalition Intern Kara has been paid to hike with middle schoolers, retirees, and–most recently–dairy goats. Join her now on a (regrettably goat-free) meander through Patapsco State Park’s McKeldin Area, a gorgeous slice of Maryland woods and rapids along the Patapsco River. The hike will be approximately two miles with little elevation gain, but please wear sturdy shoes or sandals with straps. Tree identification and classic environmental education activities provided upon request. *Participants are required to complete/sign a waiver prior to participation.

6:00-10:00 Evening Reception

Join the Coalition at Howard County Conservancy’s Headquarters for our evening reception as we reconvene for the best clean water networking event of the year! The reception will feature delicious local fare from Catering by Seasons and beer donated from Heavy Seas Brewery.

Wednesday, May 22

8:00-9:00 Breakfast and Registration Opens

9:00-9:45 Morning Plenary

What is, “A Snot Otter?”: Jeopardy, Networking, and Open Forum

Choose your own adventure and select from these options—

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Jeopardy
Test your clean water knowledge! Jeopardy contestants will divide into geographical teams and the Coalition’s own Alex Trebek Peter Marx will lead participants through a fun board of Bay watershed-related trivia.

Networking Bingo
Get to know your fellow conference-attendees and play a special version of Bingo diving into our work for clean water.

Open Forum
Not up for a game? The ballroom will remain open for attendees to connect.

10:00-11:45 Workshops and Sessions

10:00-11:45 // Workshop
How Communities (and You!) Can Influence Local Development
Molly Brown, Chesapeake Legal Alliance
Patrick DeArmey, Chesapeake Legal Alliance
Evan Isaacson, Chesapeake Legal Alliance
With a population of more than eighteen and a half million people and an expected growth rate of more than one million more each decade, the land and waters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed are under tremendous pressure due to increased development. Often, community members are left out of the conversation and feel disempowered and helpless about the land use decisions that affect their neighborhoods and local waters. With a focus on Maryland, but including concepts applicable throughout the watershed, this workshop will help attendees better understand the development process, what the steps involved are, and when and how they can participate in influencing that development in their communities to create better outcomes for local waterways.

Piedmont Environmental Council’s Hugh Kenny showing an attendee his drone.

10:00-11:45 // Workshop
Changing Perspectives: Using Drones in Conservation Communications
Marco Sanchez, Piedmont Environmental Council
Hugh Kenny, Piedmont Environmental Council
Watershed-level conservation and restoration work is often difficult to see from the ground. Drones are now more accessible than ever and can help convey the landscape-scale impact of conservation. Join this workshop to see examples of how drone imagery can enhance communications and public engagement. We’ll also introduce attendees to modern consumer drone technology and cover the basic skillsets and resources needed to get started. Last, but not least, we'll finish by heading outside for a short drone flight demonstration (weather permitting).

10:00-11:45 // Workshop
Crafting a Confident Personal Pitch
Pri Ekanayake, Institute for Conservation Leadership
Have an upcoming interview? Need to update your LinkedIn profile? Unsure how to introduce yourself at community engagement or speaking sessions? This guided session will show you how to craft a strong personal pitch so your listener can clearly understand who you are as a professional--your motivations and skills. The session is interactive with opportunity for practice and guided feedback.

10:00-10:45 // Session
Engaging Communities in Spanish: Insights from the Field
Leonina Arismendi, Defensores de la Cuenca
Marvin Pimentelo, Defensores de la Cuenca
Carla Claure, Defensores de la Cuenca
Renee Grebe, Nature Forward
Every community is unique, but how you connect with and engage new communities starts with a lot of the same core advice. Hear from leaders and participants from two different innovative programs led by Defensores de la Cuenca and Nature Forward that empowered a diverse new generation of environmental leaders. This session will explore approaches for authentic engagement with Spanish-speaking communities, provide actionable tips on how to evolve your workstyle to fit a community's needs, and bring you stories of the positive change that these programs inspired.

Spanish translation:

Conectando con Comunidades de habla hispana: Perspectivas desde el campo 
Cada comunidad es única, pero se puede aplicar muchos de los mismos conceptos básicos para captar y conectarse con comunidades nuevas. Aprende de lideres y participantes de dos programas innovadores dirigidos por Defensores de la Cuenca y Nature Forward, que empoderaron a una nueva generación más diversa de lideres ambientales. En esta sesión exploramos distintos planteamientos (approaches) para captar a comunidades de habla hispana, ofreceremos consejos prácticos para evolucionar su estilo de trabajo para adaptarse a las necesidades de diferentes comunidades, y compartimos historias de cambio positivo que estos programas provocaron.  

10:00-10:45 // Session
True Resilience: Using a Neighborhood's Stormwater Challenges to Build Community
Chiara D’Amore, Community Ecology Institute
Simon Sauvageau, Community Ecology Institute
Chronic stormwater flooding plagues many communities throughout the Bay region. Over the past five years, the Community Ecology Institute has worked in close collaboration with multiple funding and community partners to improve flooding resilience in the neighborhood surrounding its Freetown Farm location. This presentation will cover the stormwater challenge we inherited, how we secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to address them, and the best management practices we installed at our property and surrounding area. This session will also share how we collaborated with numerous community members and contractors to achieve our stormwater goals, our continued stormwater education activities, and how our efforts have fostered a resilient community.

11:00-11:45 // Session
Dairy Diary: A Treehugger's Lessons Learned
Ron Ohrel, American Dairy Association North East
Cultivating strong relationships with farmers is key to meeting our water quality goals. But with only two percent of the U.S. population having a farming background, there are many unknowns about how to engage this crucial audience. This session will explore principles for building effective partnerships with farmers, the lessons a self-described treehugger has learned from dairy farmers (and vice versa), and how those lessons can help you successfully engage with the agricultural community.

11:00-11:45 // Session
Cultivating Impact: Building a Stronger Organizational Culture*
Isabel Hardesty, ShoreRivers
Kate Fritz, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Our work is only as good as its individual members; how well nonprofits achieve their mission is dependent on how we foster collaboration and inspire, inform, and energize our staff. Learn from two leaders as they share lessons learned on how to cultivate great work culture to better achieve their missions. We'll discuss the qualities of a great workplace and share specific strategies to cultivate effective, supportive, inclusive, and joyful work environments. Attendees will receive tools and ideas they can immediately apply.
*This session is designed for directors/CEOs/presidents and team members with decision-making authority.

12:00-1:00 Lunch and Midday Plenary

Pam Goddard, National Parks Conservation Association
KEYNOTE: Deanna Mitchell, National Park Service

As Superintendent of Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, Mitchell is on the frontlines of many of the challenges confronting the movement to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. With Tubman’s legacy and connection to the Bay watershed as a backdrop, Mitchell will discuss the movement to design park experiences grounded in sustainability and our shared goal of leaving a legacy of clean water and vibrant national parks to future generations.

We were thrilled to hear Deanna Mitchell's inspirational remarks for the conference's final keynote.

This video showcasing the Coalition's annual Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill premiered at the lunch plenary on Wednesday.

1:15-2:00 Sessions

Zombie Mines: Spooky Rhetoric or the Real Deal?
Rosa Hance, Choose Clean Water Coalition
Jenna Dodson, West Virginia Rivers Coalition
What does coal mining look like across the Chesapeake Bay watershed? What is the legacy that coal mining leaves behind even when mining activities pause or cease? First timers will hear an overview of the abandoned, zombied, and legacy mine lands across the region followed by open round table style discussion. You’ll learn history behind the terms; regulation (and policy gaps); and the impacts on the watershed, public health, and local economies. Feel free to bring questions and ideas for us to explore together at future meetings of the Coalition’s Energy Workgroup.

Connecting the Dots: Clean Water and Climate Resiliency Communication Tools
Tali MacArthur, Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers
In the face of increasing threats from climate change impacts, many clean water organizations struggle to link their work to protect and restore our rivers and streams with building resilient communities. The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) will present the process and the outcomes of a Climate Resiliency Messaging framework for community watershed organizations (CWOs). POWR will share how a partnership with Green Fin Studio enabled us to identify messaging techniques that reinforce the direct connection between CWO restoration & conservation projects and local efforts to strengthen community resiliency to climate change. We will present this as a training and peer-to-peer learning workshop where we will share the Climate Resiliency Messaging framework, resources, and tools with attendees.

Collaborating with Indigenous Communities for Clean Water
Michaela Pavlat, National Parks Conservation Association
Few communities are more connected to the Bay’s rivers and streams than Indigenous people. Native communities have deep knowledge about preserving and managing the lands and waters in our region. In this session, learn best practices for engaging tribal communities and implementing Indigenous knowledge in your work for clean water. We will also explore ways to engage native communities and build collaborative relationships that implement indigenous knowledge to protect our land and waterways.

Tapping the Problem: Developing Lead Service Line Inventories
Ellen Kohler, Water Center at Penn
Jen Cotting, University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center
Everyone knows that lead, plus water, equals trouble. In our work for clean water, few issues are more widely recognized as a pressing problem than lead service lines. This session discusses lead service line inventories and the opportunities for watersheds and community-based organizations to assist in inventory work, including education and communication outreach. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the lead service line challenge facing water systems in the watershed, important communications priorities around lead in water, and strategies to tackle this issue in their community.

From Air to Water: The Chesapeake Bay Airshed
Ariel Solaski, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Jenna Schueler, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Roughly one-third of nitrogen pollution to the Bay watershed comes from the air, primarily in the form of nitrogen oxides (“NOx”) or ammonia (NH3). Learn about the basics of the Chesapeake Bay airshed and strategies used to highlight and advocate around the connection between airborne nitrogen pollution, water quality, and the health of communities in the Bay watershed. The session will also consider how air-related advocacy in the watershed may evolve as we approach and move beyond 2025.

2:15-3:00 Sessions

Digital Bridges: Utilizing New Technology for Inclusive Communications
Derek Turner, The Hatcher Group
Matt Anthes, The Hatcher Group
How do we use AI, influencer marketing, digital targeting capabilities such as geotargeting, and other emerging technology to get our message to the right audience? And how can we use these tools to reach diverse audiences? Join this session to learn how to use storytelling and the right messaging and imagery to stand out from the crowd. We will also discuss how to employ this new technology to reach new audiences and tell impactful stories in our work for clean water.

Building Equitable University Partnerships for Clean Water
Emma Gregory, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Dr. Alan Anderson, Bowie State University
As we move beyond 2025, delivering on our clean water goals will rely on our ability to create meaningful, equitable partnerships with communities that the restoration movement has historically marginalized. Using the Alliance's successful partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) throughout the watershed as a case study, this session will highlight lessons learned, tangible outcomes, and additional opportunities. The presentation will share insights into co-creating projects, fostering inclusion, and sustaining long-term relationships. Attendees will leave with practical tips and considerations for identifying synergy, building trust, and maintaining equity in partnerships with relevance beyond university collaborations.

How to Empower Underserved Communities in Stormwater Management
Queen Richardson, DC Department of Energy and Environment
Skye Webster, DC Department of Energy and Environment
Amidst rising polluted runoff in DC's communities, the RiverSmart Homes Ambassadors Program, launched in 2022 by the DC Department of Energy and Environment, aims to engage historically underserved areas. While participation in the RiverSmart Homes initiative has steadily grown, equitable engagement remains a challenge. In this session, you’ll learn more about the Ambassadors Program and how in just one year the Program achieved more equitable program participation by implementing unique, targeted, meaningful outreach and engagement with promising results.

Beneath the Surface: Restoring Submerged Aquatic Vegetation and Shallow Water Habitat
Maegan White, ShoreRivers
Ben Ford, ShoreRivers Miles-Wye Riverkeeper
Lurking beneath the water throughout many rivers and streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed is an essential species. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) provides critical habitat, reduces shoreline erosion, and filters excess nutrients from the waterways. While SAV abundance has ebbed and waned, it is nowhere near the 2025 goals. With the recent CESR report emphasizing the importance of shallow water habitat protection, the need to monitor, restore, and prioritize SAV restoration has increased. Join this presentation to learn about the technology used to harvest SAV seeds, the challenges facing these restoration efforts, the impact monitoring has on legislative policy, and the important role volunteers play in recovering this essential species.

Interstate Insights: Navigating Governance and Opportunities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Trisha Salvia, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Matt Stegman, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
The Bay watershed states of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania; what do they have in common? What makes them unique and different? For organizations working across jurisdictional lines, each state's government structure can lead to opportunities and challenges when pursuing common policy goals. This session will explore the three states' legislatures and state government structures and how they impact policy issues such as solar siting, streambank fencing/livestock exclusion, agricultural cost share programs, budgets, and more. Join us to better understand the government and political design of the three main Bay states and become a more effective advocate as we move into a new era for clean water in these states and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.