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 2026 Patuxent River Conference's theme: People and the River, is centered in exploring current issues of concern including the invasive blue catfish, the decreasing of the osprey population, the importance of our native bee population, climate change, and more. 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.

Click to Register

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

10:00am Doors Open (Registration/Coffee and light refreshments)
10:30am Conference Welcome
10:35am Keynote Speakers
11:30am Morning Speaker Session
12:00pm Lunch / Art Gallery
1:00pm Afternoon Speaker Session
2:00pm Break
2:10pm Lightning Talks
2:30pm Poster Session/ Light refreshments
3:30pm End of Conference

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Scott Knoche and Dr. Tom Ihde

Dr. Scott Knoche is the Director of PEARL (Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory) with research interests in the area of environmental and natural resource economics. Scott received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. After his PhD, Scott worked as a post-doctoral fisheries economist joint with the University of Maryland's Agricultural and Resource Economics Department and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division. Dr. Knoche and his team address key natural resource management topics including: consumer preferences for farmed salmon, impact of outdoor recreation on regional economies, effect of trash on water-based outdoor recreation experiences, and the economic benefits of environmental restoration.

Tom Ihde is a Research Assistant Professor at the Morgan State PEARL. He obtained his Ph.D. from the College of William & Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Some of his research interests include: Chesapeake Bay dynamics, ecosystem modeling, assessment of human impacts, environmental monitoring, contaminants of emerging concern, marine Ffsheries Stock Assessment, and crustacean biology & Ffsheries.

Speaker Session

Pollinators and the Patuxent River Watershed

Presenter: Dr. Sam Droege, Wildlife Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD

Title Presentation:

Time: 11:30 am

What's Happening to the Chesapeake Bay Osprey Population?

Presenter: Greg Kearns, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation

Title Presentation: Ospreys on the Patuxent and current status of decline.

Time: 1:30 pm

Sea Level Rise and Vertical Land Motion within the Chesapeake Bay

Presenter: Dr. Philippe Hensel, NOAA National Geodetic Survey

Title Presentation: Sea level rise, vertical land motion, and their significance for coastal resilience.

Time: 1:00 pm

Art Gallery
A Compilation of Pieces from Local Artists!

Lightning Talks
(Coming Soon!)

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PRESENTERS

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 22nd, 2027
Any questions contact: Marti Bagwell 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.