Announcements 2025.4.22
Walker, Jane
1.) James River Association Events
– Various dates, starting: TODAY,
April 22, 2025
2.) Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District (PWSWCD) News -- Various Dates, Starting: April 24, 2025
3.) Outside for 5 – April 2025
4.) Webinar: Maximizing the Value of Disaster Recovery Efforts: How to Turn Natural Disaster Pain into Resiliency Gain – May 8, 2025
5.) Request for Proposals: 2025 Small Watershed Grants Program – May 13, 2025
6.) 2025 Scenic Virginia Photo Contest – Submissions Due: May 15, 2025
7.) Comments Accepted: Proposed Guidance Document Changes on Cyanobacteria Bloom Recreational Advisory – Public Comment Deadline: May 21, 2025
8.) North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) Early Career Grants – Submission Deadline: May 31, 2025
9.) Webinar: Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration -- June 10, 2025
10.) Public Hearing: Impounding Structure Regulations – June 12, 2025
11.) EcoStream: Stream Ecology and Restoration Conference – Registration Deadline: July 24, 2025; August 11-14, 2025
12.) Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Level 1 Training -- Various Dates, Starting July 29, 2025
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 the VWMC’s intern, Logan Flanagan, for developing today’s announcements.
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1.)
James River Association Events –
Learn more at https://thejamesriver.org/
(see “Events and Volunteer Opportunities”).
++ Water Quality of the James River – TODAY, April 22, 2025 (6pm) -- A hybrid learning session about the importance of water quality and an introduction to JRA's Water Quality Monitoring and River Rats volunteer
programs. Register at https://form.jotform.com/250624726098967
++ Marsh Stewards Info Session -- Apr 23, 2025 (6-7pm) – Williamsburg, VA
++ Community Planting Event -- April 25, 2025 (9am-12pm or 1-4pm) -- East End Library, Richmond
++ River Trivia & Happy Hour -- April 25, 2025 (5:30-7:30pm) -- Starr Hill Richmond Taproom -- Show your river knowledge for the chance to win prizes.
++ Volunteer: Plant a Riparian Buffer -- April 28, 2025 (10am-12pm) -- Dillwyn, VA – For more information, contact Jordan Bennett at
jben...@thejamesriver.org.
++ Night at the Diamond with the Richmond Flying Squirrels -- April 29, 2025 (6:35pm) -- $4 from every ticket purchased through
https://www.gofevo.com/event/Jamesriver55u2loz3us5
will benefit the James River Association.
++ James River Leadership Expeditions -- Application Deadline Extended: April 30, 2025 – Learn more at
https://thejamesriver.org/students-of-the-james/james-river-leadership-expeditions/
++ James River Watch - 2025 Volunteer Training -- April 30, 2025 (5:30-6:30pm)
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2.)
Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District (PWSWCD) News
++
Water Quality Monitoring --
April 24, 2025 (Prince William Forest Park); April 27, 2025 (10am; Catharpin Creek in Haymarket, VA);
April 27, 2025 (10:30am; Bull Run at Ben Lomond Park); May 4, 2025 (10am; Cannon Branch in Manassas, VA) -- Become a certified monitor and learn about the health of local streams. Learn more at
https://www.pwswcd.org/water-quality-monitoring
or contact Veronica Tangiri at waterq...@pwswcd.org.
++ Cleanup Events
== Sudley Community Earth Month Spirit Cleanup/Water Quality Awareness Event -- April 25, 2025
(12-3pm) -- Adler Lane, Manassas
== Belmont Bay Paddlers and Community Cleanup -- April 26, 2025
== Leesylvania State Park Shorelines/ Trash Cleanup -- April 26, 2025
(1-3pm) -- Woodbridge, VA -- For more information, contact leesy...@dcr.virginia.gov
++ Volunteers Needed: Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs)
-- May 2, 2025 (Buckland Miss Elementary School, 5th graders); May 13, 14 & 16, 2025 (Bull Run Middle School, 6th graders);
June 5, 2025 (Dale City Elementary School, 5th graders); June 11, 2025 (Potomac View Elementary School 4th graders, @ Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge) -- Investigate live macroinvertebrates from local streams or ponds and share results with
students. Equipment and ID guide sheet will be provided. For more information, contact Kim Lowther, Education Specialist:
educ...@pwswcd.org.
++ Community-Wide Volunteer Recognition Event & Picnic – RSVP Deadline: May 5, 2025; Event: May 18, 2025 (12-4.30pm) – Manassas, VA -- All volunteers with the Conservation District are invited. Come in your picnic mode (chair, blanket, etc.).
RSVP: Education Volunteers, contact Kim Lowther: educ...@pwswcd.org;
Water Quality Volunteers, contact Veronica Tangiri: water...@pwswcd.org.
++ Neabsco Creek Watershed Bandalong Cleanup -- Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month -- Contact Andrew Uglow at
AUg...@pwcgov.org
to learn more.
++ Adopt-A-Stream/Pond/River – Learn more at https://www.pwswcd.org/adopt-a-stream.
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3.)
Outside for 5
–
During the month of April, individuals may sign up to learn how to incorporate an outdoor lesson or activity each day, use your school’s curriculum and apply it to outdoor activities, and connect with other educators and professionals. Learn more and sign
up at https://www.outsidefor5.com/.
Organized by the North American Association for Environmental Education.
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4.)
Webinar: Maximizing the Value of Disaster Recovery Efforts: How to Turn Natural Disaster Pain into Resiliency Gain
–
May 8, 2025 (11am-12pm)
– Learn how Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) is maximizing long-term benefits of disaster recovery efforts by identifying and evaluating damage to their right-of-way and sewer pipelines and creating a long-term plan for protecting stream corridors. Learn more
and register for this free webinar at https://www.seswa.org/webinars-state-spotlight.
Organized by the Southeast Stormwater Association.
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5.)
Request for Proposals: 2025 Small Watershed Grants Program –
May 13, 2025 (12pm)
– Seeking proposals for projects within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed that promote voluntary, community-based efforts to protect and restore the diverse and vital habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Learn more, apply, and view a webinar detailing
the RFP at https://www.nfwf.org/programs/chesapeake-small-watershed-grants.
Final award decisions are anticipated in August 2025. Offered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
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6.)
2025 Scenic Virginia Photo Contest –
Submissions Due: May 15, 2025 –Accepting
photographs of Virginia’s landscapes. Categories include Cities & Towns, Coastal & Chesapeake Bay, Farms & Open Spaces, Highways & Byways, Mountains & Valleys, Rivers & Waterways, Scenic Trees, and Vistas with Wildlife. Learn more and submit a photo at
https://www.scenicvirginia.org/2025-photo-contest.
See the 2024 and 2022 winning photos at https://www.scenicvirginia.org/
(under “Photo Contest”). Greeting cards that feature winning photos from previous years can be purchased by contacting
em...@scenicvirginia.org
or calling (804) 643-VIEW (8439). Contest organized by Scenic Virginia, and proceeds from the sale of cards support the work of Scenic Virginia.
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7.)
Comments Accepted: Proposed Guidance Document Changes on Cyanobacteria Bloom Recreational Advisory
–
Public Comment Deadline: May 21, 2025 –
The proposed revision will allow for more extensive and targeted monitoring of algal toxins in recreational freshwater areas during a HAB, and for using toxin data alone for recreational advisory determinations. Learn more and submit a comment at
https://www.townhall.virginia.gov/l/GDocForum.cfm?GDocForumID=2693.
A 1-page summary sheet covering the changes proposed in the guidance is available at
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/harmful-algal-blooms/
under “Quick Links” on the far right.
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8.)
North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) Early Career Grants –
Submission Deadline: May 31, 2025 –
NALMS awards registration and membership grants to help reduce the financial barriers for early career members to attend the NALMS Annual International Symposium and be a member of the Society. At the time of request for an Early Career Registration Grant,
an applicant must fit the definition of a NALMS Early Career Member. Learn more and apply at
https://www.nalms.org/early-career-registration-grants/.
Funded by the North American Lake Management Society.
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9.)
Webinar: Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration
--
June 10, 2025 (6:30-8pm)
– The webinar will cover activities DEQ engages in to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. During the presentation, DEQ staff will discuss the Commonwealth’s participation in the Chesapeake Bay Program, how the agency implements monitoring activities, and
the activities DEQ regulates under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Learn more and register at
https://www.deq.virginia.gov/get-involved/newsroom/deq-news-vol-4-no-4#bayprotection.
Offered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
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10.)
Public Hearing: Impounding Structure Regulations –
June 12, 2025 (1:30pm)
– Charlottesville, VA – The Virginia DCR will receive public comments on proposed amendments to the Impounding Structures Regulations. Learn more at
https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/ViewMeeting.cfm?MeetingID=41616.
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11.)
EcoStream: Stream Ecology and Restoration Conference –
Registration Deadline: July 24, 2025; Conference: August 11-14, 2025
–
Asheville, NC – This conference focuses on stream restoration for the southeast region of the U.S. with the goal of achieving better inter-connectedness of wetlands, streams, hydrology, riparian corridors, and the biologic communities they support. Abstracts
are still being accepted. Learn more and register at https://ecostream.cventevents.com/event/6a707a10-a639-413b-8b1a-93213bf16c08/home.
Early bird registration ends June 14, 2025. Organized by Sea Grant North Carolina and North Carlina State University.
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12.)
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Level 1 Training --
Level 1 offers fundamental knowledge in designing, installing, and maintaining stormwater BMPs. Early-bird registration ends
May 3, 2025. Wetlands Watch will provide partial scholarships to eligible participants located in Southwest Virginia. Learn more and register at
https://cblpro.org/training-calendar/.
Offered by the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC).
++ Hybrid Option: July 29 & 30, 2025, plus 1 field day: August 15, 2025 (Washington, DC);
August 21, 2025 (Richmond, VA); September 9, 2025 (Haymarket, VA)
++ In-person Trainings: August 14-15, 2025 (Washington, DC); August 20-21, 2025 (Richmond, VA);
September 8-9, 2025 (Haymarket, VA)
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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 Water Resources Research Center. Thank you to our sponsor!
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.