Join Clean Virginia Waterways and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program on September 9th virtually on Google Meet for a workshop to discuss the impacts of debris and plastic pollution on stormwater management systems. 

This one-day workshop will address the pressing need to address stormwater challenges in Virginia, where rising sea levels and increased precipitation intensify the risks of flooding and water pollution. Workshop participants will be equipped with practical strategies and innovative approaches to manage stormwater effectively while enhancing the resilience of their communities. This workshop will emphasize the need for collaboration and proactive planning to mitigate the impacts of stormwater on both natural ecosystems and human settlements in Virginia.

You’ll have a chance to ask questions, share best practices from your locality, connect with colleagues across the region, and provide your insights on this important topic! We look forward to this opportunity to connect with you.

LOCATION: Virtual

DATE/TIME: September 9, 2025. Networking starts at 11:00 AM. Workshop will be 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM

REGISTRATION

VIRTUAL: Free. The workshop will be available to stream on Google Meet without a registration fee. Streaming attendees will only be able to watch the presentations and will not be able to participate in the Setting Priorities for Updating the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan session.

Register to attend the workshop on Google Meet by following this link! A Google Meet link will be emailed to virtual participants. 

Sign up to receive Workshop updates here.

Agenda:

11:00 - 11:15 Join the Workshop, mingle, intros

11:15 - 11:35 Clean Virginia Waterways - Christina Trapani, Program Director & Zach Huntington, Marine Debris Strategy Director

Plastics in our Waterways: A Clean Virginia Waterways Perspective

11:35 - 11:50 Pocahontas State Park - Rebecca Whalen, Chief Ranger-Visitor Experience: How to keep our parks free of plastic pollution

11:50 - 12:05 Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Will Isenberg, Coastal Planner:
Updating the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan 

12:05 - 1:00 Input from the Stormwater Community

1:00 - 1:15 Break

1:15 - 2:15 Virginia University Perspective and Research on Stormwater

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary - Courtney K Harris, Professor and Chair, Section for Coastal and Ocean Processes 
Old Dominion University - Xixi Wang, Ph.D., P.E., Professor, Chief Departmental Advisor (CDA), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary - Mark J. Brush | Professor of Marine Science

2:10- 2:30 Chesapeake Bay Foundation - Joseph Wood PhD, Senior Scientist Virginia's new "Pay for Outcomes" pilot program primarily focused on
reducing nonpoint source pollution within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

2:30 - 3:00 Clean Virginia Waterways

Q&A, Wrap Up and Thank you!