PATUXENT RIVER CONFERENCE

The Patuxent River Conference (PAXCON) is the premier forum uniting scientists, environmental educators, natural resource managers, and anyone passionate about the health and future of the Patuxent River. To know and understand the Patuxent River is to take one more step towards its protection. The 2025 Patuxent River Conference's theme: Our River, Our Livelihood, is centered in exploring the status, stressors, and use of the many River resources, as well as their protection for future generations. Join us as experts, thought leaders, and passionate individuals converge to share their insights, ideas, and stories. This event promises a dynamic lineup of presenters. Attendees can interact with presenters, exchange ideas, and connect with participants who share a common goal: a healthier Patuxent Watershed.

Registration:

Registration fee includes full access to the conference sessions, coffee, refreshments, and lunch.

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Fee: $45

Location:

Patuxent Research Refuge
National Wildlife Visitor Center
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop,
Laurel, Maryland 20708

*Parking may be limited, please carpool if possible

Schedule At-A-Glance

8:30am Doors Open (Registration/Coffee and light refreshments)
9:00am Conference Welcome and Remarks by Jennifer Greiner, Patuxent Research Refuge Manager
9:10am   Keynote Speaker: Denice H. Wardrop, Executive Director, Chesapeake Research Consortium.
10:00am   Morning Speaker Session
12:15pm Lunch/ Artistic Interpretation by Jeff Holland
1:15pm Moderated Panel
2:30pm Poster Session/ Light refreshments
3:30pm End of Conference

Keynote Speaker

Denice H. Wardrop

Denice Heller Wardrop was one of the first Systems Engineers to graduate from the University of Virginia, which she followed with an MS in Environmental Sciences from the same institution. She practiced as a consulting environmental engineer for over a decade before moving to State College PA, embracing football as well as basketball, and finishing a PhD in Ecology at Penn State. In addition to her role as Executive Director of the Chesapeake Research Consortium, she is a Research Professor of Geography and Ecology. Her discovery areas are wetlands of all kinds and landscape ecology, and she works a great deal on how human activities impact the ability of natural systems to provide ecosystem services. Her favorite teaching activity involves escorting multi-disciplinary teams of students to Peru, and helping them unpack the UN Sustainable Development Goals to find a focus to their work. She serves on science committees that advise both the Chesapeake Bay and Everglades restoration efforts, and passionately supports humans and aquatic systems finding ways to bring out the best in each other.

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Speaker Session:
River Health and Ecosystem Services

WATER: MICROPOLLUTANTS

Presenter: Dr. Michael Gonsior, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory

Title Presentation: Seasonal Dynamics of Micropollutants Along the Lower Reaches of the Patuxent River

Time: 10:30 am

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FISH: INVASIVE SPECIES

Presenter: Chris Jones, Freshwater Fisheries and Hatcheries Division, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Title Presentation: Invasive Fishes of Maryland

Time: 11:15 am

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WATER USE: TREATED WATER

Presenter: James Howard, Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works

Title Presentation: Anne Arundel County's OurwAAter Program

Time: 10:00 am

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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Presenter: Karyn Molines, Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources Division

Title Presentation: Ripples of Change: Education Initiatives Flowing Through Calvert County and the Patuxent River

Time: 11:45 am

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ARTISTIC PRESENTATION: 12:30 pm
JEFF HOLLAND

Jefferson Holland is a modern-day Chesapeake Troubadour: singer, songwriter, poet, storyteller,
performing all original material inspired by decades of life on the Bay. He was appointed Poet Laureate
of Annapolis by Mayor Gavin Buckley in November, 2024. Jeff served as the director of the Annapolis
Maritime Museum and the Riverkeeper for the West and Rhode Rivers. He co-founded the Chesapeake
folk group “Crab Alley” in the 1980s and 90s and founded “Them Eastport Oyster Boys” with partner
Kevin Brooks in 1992. Currently, Jeff writes and outdoors column in the Annapolis Capital, and has
published a collection of essays in a book called “Walk Around Arundel, 52 Places to Hike with your Dog
and Other Best Friends.” He lives in Annapolis with his emotional support spouse, Louise White and their
rescue retriever, Millie.

PANEL
The Patuxent River: Its Natural Resources and Ecosystem Services

As the largest river fully within the state of Maryland, the Patuxent River provides an array of important ecosystem services including drinking water, recreation, flood protection, habitat for many wildlife species and many others. With a panel composed of participants with different backgrounds and experiences, we want to not only recognize the value of the River, but also discuss the state, use, and protection of its natural resources. The panelists will bring their knowledge and experience into the discussion,share their concerns, and suggest potential actions needed to ensure the health and protection of this valuable ecosystem.

PANELISTS

Lucille Walker, Destination Southern Maryland and Sothern Maryland National Heritage Area

Fred Tutman, Patuxent Riverkeeper

John VanAlstine, Anne Arundel County Lifelong and Career Waterman

Ed Crooks, Wastewater Plant Manager

Ryan St. Laurent, Calvert County Soil Conservation District

POSTER SESSION

We Are Looking For Presenters!!

Poster Submission Details

Posters should feature, as possible, work conducted within the Patuxent River watershed, but studies from other river watersheds or the Chesapeake Bay are also welcome!
Poster content may be related to research projects, community programs, stewardship efforts, advocacy, educational programs, etc.
Anyone is welcome to present. We highly encourage students and early career professionals to participate!
We recommend posters to be no more 24in x 36in.
Organizers will provide easels to set up the posters.
Posters themselves must be provided by presenters.

Click Here to Register as a Poster Presenter:

Poster registration closes on January 30th, 2025
Any questions contact: Sophie Coyne at [email protected]

Thank You to Our Current & Previous Conference Partners & Sponsors!

The financial, materials, and in-kind staff support from these conference sponsors & partners are vital in making the conference a success. Sponsorship of PAXCON is not an endorsement of any company, service or product by the Steering Committee, its members or their represented organizations.