Announcements 2026.3.31

[Walker, Jane]

1.) 2026 Water Is Life Sneaker Ball! – Registration Deadline: Today -- March 31, 2026; Ball: April 9, 2026
2.) James River Association (JRA) Events – Various Dates, Starting: April 1, 2026
3.) Water and Wastewater Training – Various Dates, Starting: April 2, 2026
4.) Water Research Foundation (WRF) Webcasts – Various Dates, Starting: April 2, 2026
5.) New River Symposium 2026 -- April 9-10, 2026
6.) Request for Proposals: Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants – Proposals Due: April 9, 2026
7.) Friends of the Occoquan (FOTO) Spring River Clean-Up 2026 -- April 11, 2026
8.) 2026 National Watershed & Stormwater Conference – April 14-16, 2026
9.) Upcoming Special Elections
   ++ April 14, 2026 -- Charles City County Local Referendum
   ++ April 21, 2026 -- Proposed Constitutional Amendment (Statewide) and Alexandria City Council Special Election
10.) James River Association (JRA) Youth Summer Programs – Various Dates
11.) Call for Abstracts: Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC) Annual Forum -- Abstracts Due: May 4, 2026; Forum: September 15-17, 2026
12.) Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) News
   ++ Potomac Interceptor Sewage Spill Community Survey
   ++ Volunteer Opportunities with PRKN
   ++ Fundraiser: PRKN Potomac Interceptor Crisis Fund
13.) Water Center Jobs Board – https://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/jobs/
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See recent announcements and learn more about the Virginia Water Monitoring Council (VWMC) at www.VirginiaWMC.org. Feel free to forward these announcements. When forwarding, please acknowledge the VWMC. If you have a water-related announcement of regional or statewide interest, send it to vw...@vt.edu and ask that it be distributed to the VWMC membership. If someone forwarded this message to you, you can join the VWMC for free by sending your name, water-monitoring affiliation (if applicable), and contact information (email address, mailing address, and phone number) to vw...@vt.edu.  Thank you to Julia Porter, VWMC intern, for developing and organizing this week’s set of VWMC announcements.
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1.) 2026 Water Is Life Sneaker Ball! – Registration Deadline: Today -- March 31, 2026; Ball: April 9, 2026 (5:30pm) -- Roanoke, VA -- This fundraising event and ball will include live music by a local band and a best sneaker contest. For more information about the ball, see https://www.sercap.org/support/sercaps-new-2026-water-life-sneaker-ball. Also, purchase a ticket for the State Basket Raffle at https://www.sercap.org/support/sercap-2026-state-basket-raffle. These fundraising events provide unrestricted support that allows the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP) to better meet its mission. Organized by SERCAP.
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2.) James River Association (JRA) Events -- More information about JRA events is available at https://thejamesriver.org/events/. Learn more about River Hero Homes and workshops associated with this program at 
https://thejamesriver.org/what-you-can-do/river-hero-homes/.
   ++ Riparian Stewards Volunteer Events -- April 1, 2026 (Greene, VA); April 2, 2026 (Scottsville, VA); April 7, 2026 (Free Union, VA); April 8-9, 2026 (Greene, VA); April 10, 2026 (Charlottesville, VA); April 13, 2026 (Keswick, VA); April 14, 2026 (Charlottesville, VA); April 15, 2026 (Barboursville, VA); April 16, 2026 (Nellysford, VA); April 20, 2026 (Greene, VA)
   ++ Native Plant Workshops -- April 6, 2026 (Amherst County); April 7, 2026 (Petersburg); April 18 & May 6, 2026 (Richmond) – Learn more at https://thejamesriver.org/26-native-plant-workshops/.
   ++ Rain Barrel Workshops -- April 9, 2026 (Fluvanna); April 14 & 21, 2026 and May 6 & 18, 2026 (Richmond); April 23, 2026 (Charlottesville); May 20, 2026 (Williamsburg); May 21, 2026 (Nelson County) – Learn more at https://thejamesriver.org/26-rain-barrel-workshops/.
   ++ Nature Journaling -- April 7, 2026 -- Madison Heights, VA
   ++ Wildlife of the James -- April 9, 2026 -- Madison Heights, VA
   ++ Seasons of the James Workshop -- April 11, 2026 -- Richmond, VA
   ++ Invasive Species Removal at Chapel Island -- April 17, 2026 and May 15, 2026 -- Richmond, VA
   ++ Green Infrastructure Stewards Volunteer Event -- April 24, 2026 and May 29, 2026 -- Richmond, VA
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3.) Water and Wastewater Training – Learn more about these events and others at https://www.rcap.org/training-events/. Also, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Program (SERCAP) provides free math tutoring for individuals interested in becoming Water Operators (contact Joey Hiner at jhi...@sercap.org). Trainings offered by SERCAP, Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), and others.
   ++ Bridging the Engineering Gap: Helping Small Water Systems Navigate SRF Projects -- April 2, 2026
   ++ Improving Wastewater Compliance by Properly Funding Infrastructure Replacement – April 9, 2026
   ++ Interpreting Financial Statements: Understanding Your System’s Financial Position – April 14, 2026
   ++ Water Loss Training For Small Water Utility Systems – May 12, 2026
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4.) Water Research Foundation (WRF) Webcasts -- For more information and to register for these webcasts, visit https://www.waterrf.org/webcasts.
   ++ CalVal Phase 1 Technical Survey: Evaluating Treatment Credits and Compliance Pathways for Indirect Potable Reuse in California -- April 2, 2026 (3pm)
   ++ Back to the Future: Adaptive Water Supply Planning -- April 7, 2026 (3pm)
   ++ Evolution and Characterization of Water Quality in Quarry Lakes -- April 28, 2026 (3pm)
   ++ Microplastics Sampling: Pioneering Practices, Experiences, and Lessons Learned -- May 7, 2026 (3pm)
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5.) New River Symposium 2026 -- April 9-10, 2026 -- Boone, NC -- Theme: “Resilience in the New River Watershed” -- This event is open to anyone with interest in the New River. It will highlight themes of resilience and the intersections with ecology, community and economy. For more information, see https://newriverconservancy.org/events/. Organized by the New River Conservancy.
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6.) Request for Proposals: Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants – Proposals Due: April 9, 2026 -- Seeking proposals to advance voluntary actions to restore, conserve, and connect fish and wildlife habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. All proposals must clearly address how the proposed project will meaningfully contribute to the accomplishment of one or more Chesapeake WILD Program Pillars. There are 3 distinct funding opportunities available. For more information and to submit a proposal, see https://www.nfwf.org/programs/chesapeake-wild. Offered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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7.) Friends of the Occoquan (FOTO) Spring River Clean-Up 2026 -- April 11, 2026 (9am-12pm) -- 5 Locations: Occoquan River/Reservoir (Lake Ridge Marina, Town of Occoquan, Occoquan Regional Park, Fountainhead Regional Park, Bull Run Marina) -- Preregistration recommended: Select a location and email the following information to fo...@friendsoftheoccoquan.org: 1--Location/Time Slot you plan to sign in; 2--First and last names of the volunteers in your group; 3--Contact number and email address; and 4--Do you need a community service letter (include your name and mailing address)?  Refreshments are provided, and volunteers are encouraged to bring their own filled water bottles. In case of inclement weather, check the FOTO website or Facebook page for updates. Learn more about FOTO at  https://www.friendsoftheoccoquan.org/home.html. Organized by FOTO.
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8.) 2026 National Watershed & Stormwater Conference – April 14-16, 2026 -- Charlotte, NC -- Theme: “Building Resilient Watersheds: Advancing Innovation and Partnership in Rapidly Changing Environments” – Dr. Bill Hunt, Professor & Extension Specialist from NC State University, will be a featured plenary speaker. Learn more and register at https://www.cwp.org/2026_conference.php. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Karen Titus at k...@cwp.org. Organized by the Center for Watershed Protection (CWP).
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9.) Upcoming Special Elections – Learn more about these special elections at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/upcoming-elections.html and https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/candidate-list/index.html.
   ++ April 14, 2026 -- Charles City County Local Referendum -- Deadlines: register to vote/update registration or to apply for ballot to be mailed to you: April 3, 2026; Deadline for early in-person voting: April 11, 2026
   ++ April 21, 2026 -- Proposed Constitutional Amendment (Statewide) and Alexandria City Council Special Election – Deadlines: Apply for ballot to be mailed to you: April 10, 2026; Register to vote/update registration: April 14, 2026; Deadline for early in-person voting: April 18, 2026; -- The ballot for the proposed constitutional amendment question: "Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia's standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?" Learn more at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/election-law/proposed-amendment-for-april-2026-special-election/.
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10.) James River Association (JRA) Youth Summer Programs -- For youth interested in learning more about the James River or spending time on it. Learn more at https://thejamesriver.org/students-of-the-james/ (see Summer Programs).
   ++ Future Leaders of our Waters (FLOW) Fellowship – Applications due: April 30, 2026 (5pm) -- This is a year-long leadership journey tailored for high school students. Free.
   ++ Summer Camps -- Offering day camps in Richmond, Lynchburg, Williamsburg, and Hampton. For youth ages 5-17.
   ++ Summer Expeditions -- Youth embark on five-day, four-night adventure along the James River. Campers can choose one section—or take on all three—experiencing the river up close while camping along its banks and discovering the landscapes, wildlife, and history that connect the watershed. No experience required. All supplies are provided.
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11.) Call for Abstracts: Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC) Annual Forum -- Abstracts Due: May 4, 2026; Forum: September 15-17, 2026 -- Anaheim, CA -- Presentation abstracts should summarize the proposed presentation topic, key findings or insights, and relevance to groundwater protection or UIC program management. Abstracts that highlight state regulatory experience, case studies, and innovative technologies are encouraged. For more information and to submit an abstract, see https://www.gwpc.org/call-abstracts/. Organized by the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC).
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12.) Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) News
   ++ Potomac Interceptor Sewage Spill Community Survey -- If you are a Potomac River community member or user (boater, paddler, angler, waterman, swimmer, business owner, etc.), PRKN wants to hear from you. Results of this survey will be shared with DC Water, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). To participate, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScW6FrX2pAUcdBJ3xGKt9IVBqwYsEog4k2eXwgyGHhpdj2t2Q/viewform
   ++ Volunteer Opportunities with PRKN – Volunteers are needed to help with Community Science Water Quality Monitoring, Potomac River cleanups, bilingual/multicultural translations, event assistance, and office assistance. Learn more about these opportunities at https://potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/volunteer-for-us/.
   ++ Fundraiser: PRKN Potomac Interceptor Crisis Fund – In response to the sewage spill in the Potomac River, PRKN is seeking donations for the following: Expand their emergency Water Quality Monitoring Program (testing water samples near the spill site), ongoing monitoring and public reporting of short- and long-term river impacts, and advocacy. Learn more and donate at https://give.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/campaign/772383/donate.
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13.) Water Center Jobs Board – To be updated later today, March 31, 2025 -- View a listing of current job opportunities and employment resources on the Jobs Board at https://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/jobs/. Developed by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center (Water Center).
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The VWMC announcements are provided with support from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Water Resources Research Center with funding from the U.S. Geological Survey. Thank you to our sponsors!

You too can sponsor the VWMC announcements.  Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the VWMC to support information updates and other VWMC activities.  Make checks payable to: “The Virginia Tech Foundation” and on the memo portion of the check include “VWMC Fund #872802.” Mail contributions to the Virginia Water Resources Research Center (0444, Attn: Jane Walker) at 210 Cheatham Hall, Virginia Tech; 310 West Campus Drive; Blacksburg, VA 24061.