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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Conference Sponsors:
Conference Partners
Contact Us
If you have questions about the conference or would be interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities, please contact us today!