Announcements 2026.5.14

[Walker, Jane]

1.) Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Events -- Various Dates, Starting: May 27, 2026
2.) Call for Session Proposals: 21st Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum -- Proposals Due: May 29, 2026; Forum: November 13-15, 2026
3.) Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) Annual Gathering -- May 30, 2026
4.) National Dam Awareness Day -- May 31, 2026
5.) Public Meetings: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Cleanup Studies and Implementation Plans
   ++ Cleanup Study: Appomattox River Tributaries – Rescheduled: June 4, 2026
6.) Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute (VNRLI): Class of 2027 -- Applications Due: June 5, 2026
7.) 41st Annual James River Batteau Festival – Various Dates: June 17-27, 2026
8.) Call for Abstracts: 2026 Virginia Coastal Leadership Conference – Submissions Due: June 26, 2026
9.) EPA Seeks Public Input: Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS and Materials Containing PFAS -- Comments Due: June 29, 2026
10.) LakeLine -- Spring 2026 Issue -- https://www.nalms.org/lakeline-magazine/
11.) DEQ News – Vol 5, Issue 3 – https://www.deq.virginia.gov/news-info/newsroom
12.) EnviroEd – April Issue -- https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/environmental-education/resources
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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.) Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Events
   ++ Sustainable Stormwater BMP Management for Crews Certificate -- May 27, 2026 -- Frederick, MD -- This course is designed for maintenance crew and crew leaders who have not yet completed CBLP level 1 Training. https://certified.cblpro.org/product/crews-certificate/.
   ++ Meadow Management Workshop -- July 21, 2026 (9am-1pm; online); optional Day 2: July 23, 2026 (9am-2:30pm; Berwick, PA) -- https://certified.cblpro.org/product/meadow-management/.
   ++ CBLP Level 1: Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Landscape Training -- Participants can either complete 2 full in-person days or 2 half days online and one full day in person. Numerous dates available in August and September. -- https://cblpro.org/cblp-level-1/.
   ++ Scotty Scholars Program and Scholarship -- The scholarship, in memory of Scotty Guinn Dilworth, supports individuals pursuing credentials and training in sustainable landscaping, stormwater management, and green infrastructure. To donate to the program or apply for the scholarship, see https://www.chesapeakelandscape.org/scotty-scholars/.
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2.) Call for Session Proposals: 21st Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum -- Proposals Due: May 29, 2026; Forum: November 13-15, 2026 -- Shepherdstown, WV – Theme: “Practical Solutions for People and Planet” -- Proposed sessions should be research, a tool, or a success story.  For more information and to submit a proposal, see https://www.allianceforthebay.org/forum-request-for-session-proposals. Organized by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
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3.) Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) Annual Gathering -- May 30, 2026 (10am-2pm) -- Catlett, VA – Theme: “Inspiring Conservation” -- This event allows participants to connect with others and to reflect on the cumulative impact of conservation efforts. There will also be an optional community lunch. To learn more about this event and others, see https://www.pecva.org/events/. Organized by PEC.
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4.) National Dam Awareness Day -- May 31, 2026 – Commemorates the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, PA on May 31, 1889, the deadliest dam failure in United States history, that resulted in the loss of more than 2,200 lives. This day serves as a national observance dedicated to raising awareness of the role dams play in protecting communities, supporting water supplies, generating energy, and managing flood risk. Dam Awareness Day also highlights the importance of emergency preparedness, regular inspections, and responsible operation to reduce risks and enhance resilience. Learn more at https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/learn/dam-safety/awareness-day and https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains/ds-education-awareness-day.
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5.) Public Meetings: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Cleanup Studies and Implementation Plans – Learn more about TMDL studies under development across Virginia at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quality/tmdl-development/tmdls-under-development. Learn more about Virginia’s cleanup implementation plans under development at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quality/implementation/implementation-plans-under-development.
   ++ Cleanup Study: Appomattox River Tributaries – Rescheduled: June 4, 2026 (Canceled: May 15, 2026) -- Farmville, VA -- https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewMeeting.cfm?MeetingID=43343
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6.) Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute (VNRLI): Class of 2027 -- Applications Due: June 5, 2026 – This program is for natural resource professionals in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors who live or work in Virginia. The curriculum focuses on natural resource issues, personal and professional leadership, and collaborative problem solving.  Learn more and apply at https://www.coopercenter.org/ien/vnrli-application.  Organized by the UVA Institute for Engagement & Negotiation.
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7.) 41st Annual James River Batteau Festival – Various Dates: June 17-27, 2026 – James River (Starts: Lynchburg, VA) -- Step back in history and experience firsthand what it was like to journey the river on a Batteau Experience Ride. Many festival participants also use kayaks and canoes as part of the group.  Learn general event information at https://www.vacanals.org/batteau. Learn more about the Lynchburg events at https://www.lynchburgparksandrec.com/programs-and-activities/batteau-fest/. Organized by the Virginia Canals and Navigations Society, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation, and James River Association.
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8.) Call for Abstracts: 2026 Virginia Coastal Leadership Conference – Submissions Due: June 26, 2026 – This two-day event will convene students, researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore the current status and future of Virginia’s coastal systems—including the Chesapeake Bay, tidal rivers, and coastal communities. Presentation options vary from poster presentations to full workshops. To learn more, see https://coastalconference.vaseagrant.org/apply-to-present/ or contact Lisa Eddy at lme...@vaseagrant.org. Organized by Virginia Sea Grant. 
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9.) EPA Seeks Public Input: Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS and Materials Containing PFAS -- Comments Due: June 29, 2026 – The updated guidance includes the following: 1) Recommendations for managers of PFAS-containing materials to protect human health and the environment. 2) A new technology evaluation framework to help analyze the safety and effectiveness of new destruction and disposal technologies. 3) Scientific information on current understanding of PFAS and three widely used and commercially available destruction and disposal technologies (underground injection, landfills, and thermal treatment). Learn more and comment at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OLEM-2020-0527 (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2020-0527).
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10.) LakeLine -- Spring 2026 Issue -- This open-access issue covers volunteer monitoring efforts on lakes and ponds and streams and rivers, ranging from local to international. Published by the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS).  This issue and past open-access issues are available at https://www.nalms.org/lakeline-magazine/.  Other issues require an active NALMS membership; learn more and join NALMS at https://www.nalms.org/nalms-memberships/.
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11.) DEQ News – Vol 5, Issue 3 – The current issue of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) newsletter includes a drought advisory update, 2026 Citizen Monitoring Grant awardees, information about wetlands after the Sackett decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023, PFAS testing and fish consumption advisory updates, and more.  The current issue and previous issues are available at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/news-info/newsroom. You can also subscribe to the newsletter. Published by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
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12.) EnviroEd – This newsletter focuses on resources, events, funding and more related to environmental education. Sign up for the newsletter and see past newsletters at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/environmental-education/resources.  Published by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Office of Environmental Education. Learn more about this office at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/environmental-education/.
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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.