Announcements 2026.3.3

[Walker, Jane]

1.) Water and Wastewater Training – Various Dates, Starting: March 4, 2026
2.) State Park Master Plan Public Information and Comment Meetings – Various Dates, Starting: March 4, 2026
3.) Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program Upcoming Events – Various Dates, Starting: March 9, 2026
4.) Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program -- Application Deadline: March 13, 2026
5.) Request for Proposals: Stream and Wetland Mitigation Design-Build Services for the Virginia Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program -- Submission Deadline: March 13, 2026
6.) EPA CyanoSymposium -- March 16, 18, 23, and 25, 2026
7.) Call for Pre-Proposals: Water Research Foundation (WRF)
   ++ Tailored Collaboration (TC) Program -- Submission Deadline: March 17, 2026
   ++ 2026 Unsolicited Research Program -- Submission Deadline: March 26, 2026
8.) World Water Day -- March 22, 2026
9.) 2026 Water Environment Federation (WEF)/American Water Works Association (AWWA) Utility Management Conference -- March 24-27, 2026
10.) Call for Presentations: 21^st Annual Regional Stormwater Conference -- Submissions due: March 27, 2026; Conference: September 30, 2026-October 2, 2026
11.) Leo Bourassa Scholarship – Applications Due: April 1, 2026
12.) 2026 Water Is Life Sneaker Ball! -- April 9, 2026
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.) 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.
   ++ Water Loss Training M36 Workshop for Small Water Utilities – March 4, 2026 (9:30am-6:00pm) – Prattville, AL
   ++ Webinar: Introduction to Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Prevention for Small Public Water Systems -- March 5, 2026
   ++ Webinar: Accessing Infrastructure Funding from HUD's Indian Community Development Block Grant Program -- March 12, 2026
   ++ Webinar: Distribution System Infrastructure and Water Control Basics -- March 17, 2026
    ++ Solutions for Addressing Difficult Sites for Septic System Professionals – March 17-19, 2026 -- Griffin, GA
   ++ Webinar: Lagoon Viability and Maximization of Performance Through Optimization & Maintenance – March 24, 2026
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2.) State Park Master Plan Public Information and Comment Meetings – Learn more about master plans for state parks at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/masterplans. Hosted by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
   ++ Wilderness Road State Park – March 4, 2026 (6pm) – Electronic/Ewing, VA -- https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewMeeting.cfm?MeetingID=42935.
   ++ Mayo River State Park – March 12, 2026 (6pm) – Electronic -- https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewMeeting.cfm?MeetingID=42983.
   ++ Powhatan State Park -- March 31, 2026 (6:30pm) -- Powhatan, VA -- https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewMeeting.cfm?MeetingID=43008.
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3.) Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program Upcoming Events – For more information about these events and others, see https://forestupdate.frec.vt.edu/eventscalendar.html. Organized by Virginia Cooperative Extension.
   ++ The Woods in Your Backyard Course (online) -- March 9-May 18, 2026
   ++ Beyond the Basics Woodland Owner Retreat: Managing Your Forest for Timber Income -- March 13-14, 2026 – Appomattox, VA
   ++ Silvopasture Workshop -- March 18, 2026 (1-4pm) – Petersburg, VA
   ++ Spring Ephmerals Woods Walk -- March 28, 2026 (10am-12pm) -- Montpelier Station, VA
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4.) Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program -- Application Deadline: March 13, 2026 (4pm) -- This grant program supports design and implementation of green streets, community greening, and urban tree canopy projects that enhance livability in cities and communities, in addition to white papers that address these topics. It is available for projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Local governments such as municipalities, non-profit organizations, neighborhood/community associations, and other nonprofit entities can apply. For more information, register for the information session, and to apply, see https://cbtrust.org/grants/green-streets-green-jobs-green-towns/. Provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region III, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
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5.) Request for Proposals: Stream and Wetland Mitigation Design-Build Services for the Virginia Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program -- Submission Deadline: March 13, 2026 -- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is soliciting proposals for a project site in the Chowan River Basin in Virginia. The purpose of the project is to provide mitigation to offset unavoidable impacts for which the Virginia Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (SWMP) was utilized as the compensatory mitigation. For more information and to submit a proposal, see https://tnc.app.box.com/s/n5vxs2zvyqmjp2rgln369zmuhra35fgj. Offered by The Nature Conservancy.
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6.) EPA CyanoSymposium -- March 16, 18, 23, and 25, 2026 (1-5pm) -- Theme: “Human and Animal Health Impacts of Cyanobacteria” -- This virtual symposium will feature a mixture of academic, federal, state, and tribal experts to share information on science and management of cyanotoxin impacts on health. To register, send an email to friday...@epa.gov with the terms “CyanoSymposium 2026 Registration” in the subject line or use the links on the announcement flyer available at https://www.epa.gov/habs/epa-outreach-habs. Organized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Program.
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7.) Call for Pre-Proposals: Water Research Foundation (WRF)
   ++ Tailored Collaboration (TC) Program -- Submission Deadline: March 17, 2026 (5pm) – This matching program is designed to support utility-specific/regional issues. For more information and to submit a pre-proposal, see https://www.waterrf.org/tailored-collaboration-program.
   ++ 2026 Unsolicited Research Program -- Submission Deadline: March 26, 2026 (5pm) – Aims to fund novel, transformative research projects that can significantly advance the science of water and increase our ability to protect and preserve water in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. For more information and to submit a pre-proposal, see https://www.waterrf.org/unsolicited-research-program.
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8.) World Water Day -- March 22, 2026 -- The celebration advocates for the sustainable management of water resources worldwide. Learn more and download campaign resources at https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day.
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9.) 2026 Water Environment Federation (WEF)/American Water Works Association (AWWA) Utility Management Conference -- March 24-27, 2026 -- Charlotte, NC -- This conference offers a national gathering of water and wastewater utility leaders. It is focused on strengthening utility performance, advancing innovative management practices, and supporting the circular water economy model. There will be 34 innovative, interactive technical sessions and 7 pre-conference workshops offered. For more information and to register, see https://www.wef.org/events--education/conferences/utilitymanagement2026/. Organized by the Water Environment Federation and the American Water Works Association.
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10.) Call for Presentations: 21^st Annual Regional Stormwater Conference -- Submissions due: March 27, 2026 (5pm); Conference: September 30, 2026-October 2, 2026 -- Point Clear, AL – Seeking presentations that showcase emerging approaches and innovative solutions shaping stormwater management across the Southeast. Submissions are welcome from professionals representing local governments, government agencies, consulting firms, product manufacturers and academic institutions. To submit a presentation, see https://www.seswa.org/ (under “What’s New”). Organized by the Southeast Stormwater Association (SESWA).
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11.) Leo Bourassa Scholarship – Applications Due: April 1, 2026 – Open to full-time undergraduates, and part-time or full-time graduate students enrolled in a curriculum related to water resources at any Virginia accredited college or university. Recipients must be residents of Virginia at the time of application and at the time of award.  Learn more at https://vlwa.org/committees-and-activities/scholarship/. Offered by the Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association (VLWA).
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12.) 2026 Water Is Life Sneaker Ball! -- April 9, 2026 (5:30pm) -- Roanoke, VA -- This fundraising event and ball will consist of a grand red-carpet arrival, dinner and a short program, dancing and revelry. Live music by a local band and a best sneaker contest will be featured at this event. 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. For more information about the ball, see https://www.sercap.org/support/sercaps-new-2026-water-life-sneaker-ball. Organized by the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP).
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13.) Water Center Jobs Board – 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.