Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Bay Program

Chesapeake Watershed Forum

We are excited to announce the 21st Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum scheduled for November 13-15, 2026.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s 21st Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum, which will be held at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV, is a watershed-wide event reaching over 400 restoration and protection practitioners to inspire and empower local action towards clean water. We share successful tools and techniques, offer lessons and learnings from on-the-ground work, build capacities of local organizations, foster partnerships, educate on new initiatives and emerging practices, network with others, and celebrate our successes. We look forward to seeing you in November!

 

Our 2026 theme is “Practical Solutions for People and Planet.”

As we enter a new era for the Chesapeake, the focus has shifted from what we must do to how we will get it done. The 2026 Chesapeake Watershed Forum theme centers on the tangible: the tools, techniques, and collaborative models where research meets results.

This year, we invite technical and topical experts across disciplines to share their research or hard-earned knowledge with the Forum community. Every session is designed to apply practical solutions to ongoing challenges—whether through deepening scientific understanding, mastering a new restoration methodology, or scaling a real-world solution. By bridging the gap between innovative research and on-the-ground action, we are building the foundation for watershed success. Join us to find the practical building blocks for people and the planet.

Present at the Forum

We are now soliciting proposals for sessions for the 2026 Chesapeake Watershed Forum.

click here for guidelines and application

Sponsor the Forum

Drawing in over 400 professionals, a Forum sponsorship places your brand or organization front and center as an action-oriented advocate for clean water and resilient lands in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Your sponsorship directly supports the convening of this important watershed-wide event.

Sponsorship Information

Scholarships

Limited scholarships will be available to offset registration fees for the Chesapeake Watershed Forum.  You are required to register first to receive a scholarship application. Registration will open at the end of August.

Scholarship Information

Important dates

We are currently planning the 2026 Forum. Below are dates to be aware of. We will be continuously updating as we move closer to the Forum. 

  • April 6:  Request for Session Proposals opens
  • May 29:  Session Proposals due
  • June: Poster Session Request for Proposals opens
  • August 24:  Early Bird Registration for Speakers Opens.
  • August 31: General Registration Opens.
  • August: Poster Session Proposals Due.
  • September 21: Scholarship Application Closes.
  • November 13-15: Chesapeake Watershed Forum


Thank you to our 2026 Watershed Forum Sponsors!

River Birch Sponsors

Crimsonbridge Foundation logo

Want to get involved?

Contact Jenny McGarvey to find out more about the Chesapeake Watershed Forum.

Email Jenny