Chesapeake Conservation Conference

The Chesapeake Conservation Conference and 38th Annual Environmental Awards Luncheon was held at the Chesapeake Conference Center on Friday, March 6, 2020. The conference brought 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 addressed the following topics: Parks and Natural Areas, Land and Water Conservation, Home and Garden, and Coastal Resilience.

City staff collected 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 was the Environmental Awards Luncheon where local individuals, community groups, schools, and businesses were recognized for their outstanding environmental projects.

To review the consolidated notes from the conference, click the link at the bottom of the page under the Conference Information and Links section. To review the panelist's presentations, click the <Presentation> links for the panelists listed below.

Rogard Ross, Chair, Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council <Welcome/Presentation >

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

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

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

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

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 <Presentation >
• Carol Warren, Vice President, Friends of Indian River <Presentation >
• Calib Miller, Food Connection Program Manager, Healthy Chesapeake <Presentation >

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 <Presentation >
• Skip Stiles, Executive Director, Wetlands Watch <Presentation >
• Kyle Spencer, Deputy Resilience Officer, City of Norfolk Resilience Office <Presentation >

Conference Information & Links:

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