Chesapeake Conservation Conference

You are invited to attend the Chesapeake Conservation Conference and 38th Annual Environmental Awards Luncheon at the Chesapeake Conference Center on Friday, March 6, 2020. The conference will bring together the environmental and conservation community of the City of Chesapeake for a day of networking, planning and learning. Panel-led discussions with related Question & Answer sessions will address the following topics: Parks and Natural Areas, Land and Water Conservation, Home and Garden, and Coastal Resilience. (Speakers are subject to change.)

City staff will also be collecting input on visions for the future of the City of Chesapeake for the next iteration of the City's Comprehensive Plan, the City Council-adopted blueprint that guides the City's growth policies and land-use decisions. Part of the conference will be the Environmental Awards Luncheon honoring local individuals, community groups, schools, and businesses with recognition for their outstanding environmental projects. Continuing Education Units (CEU's) may be available. Details coming soon.

Parks and Natural Areas Panel: (Click here for panel bios)

• Michael D. Barber, Director, Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism
• Rebecca Gwynn, Asst. Chief, Wildlife Resources Div., Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
• Chris Lowie, Manager, Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Tammy Hill, Chair, Chesapeake Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee

Land and Water Conservation Panel: (Click here for panel bios)

• Barbara Brumbaugh, Environmental Program Manager, Chesapeake Public Works
• Brian Van Eerden, Director, Virginia Pinelands Program, The Nature Conservancy
• Cory Hoar, Conservation Specialist, Virginia Dare Soil and Water Conservation District
• Tanner Council, Hampton Roads Grassroots Manager, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Home and Garden Panel: (Click here for panel bios)

• Mike Andruczyk, Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension Office/Chesapeake Master Gardeners
• Jason Brown, Public Information Coordinator, Chesapeake Public Works
• Carol Warren, Vice President, Friends of Indian River
• Calib Miller, Food Connection Program Manager, Healthy Chesapeake 

Coastal Resilience Panel: (Click here for panel bios)

• Benjamin McFarlane, Senior Regional Planner, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
• Casey Shaw, Grassroots Coordinator, Elizabeth River Project
• Skip Stiles, Executive Director, Wetlands Watch
• Kyle Spencer, Deputy Resilience Officer, City of Norfolk Resilience Office

Conference Information & Links:

• Conference Schedule 
• Registration(Closed)
  
• Sponsorship Levels & Benefits 
• Environmental Awards Luncheon Information 
• Conference Sponsors