Virginia’s Buffer Summit
Join us Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at Hungry Mother State Park
This year’s Summit is hosted by the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium in partnership with the Clinch River Soil & Water Conservation District, Crater Planning District Commission, Rappahannock River Roundtable, Shenandoah Valley Conservation Collaborative, and the Virginia Department of Forestry.
The theme this year will be Buffers Across Virginia: People, Place, and Purpose.
Join us to explore unique approaches to buffer restoration and how to collaborate and create healthy streamside ecosystems for clean water across the Commonwealth.
Morning Sessions: 9 am – 12:10 pm
9 am: Registration + Refreshments
9:30 am: Welcome + Overview
9:50 am: Buffers, Why We’re Here
- Buffers 101: An introductory presentation on Riparian Forest Buffers, detailing their purpose, function and importance for instream processing.
10:20 am: Buffer Trivia
10:30 am: Opening Panel: Buffers in Southwest Virginia – Landscape, Habitat, and Projects
- This panel will highlight the landscape, habitat, wildlife, and culture of Southwest Virginia, introducing several buffer projects in the region and how they were funded. Panelists will discuss Virginia Tech’s Hellbender research, Appalachian Voice’s Mineland ReLeaf initiative, and NFWF Central Appalachian Habitat Stewardship projects.
11 am: Break
11:10 am: Future of Virginia Buffers
- Sharing a summary of riparian buffer progress and initiatives in Virginia to increase implementation, state funding.
11:30 am: Statewide Buffer Outreach Campaign and Small Group Discussions
- Introductory to the Statewide Buffer Outreach Campaign inspired by the Virginia Riparian Forest Buffer Action Plan and highlights from small groups at the 2025 Buffer Summit. Small groups will engage in discussion of how we can build on the work we are doing, and additional opportunities for outreach.
12:10 pm: Morning Closing and Next Steps
Lunch: 12:15 – 1 pm
Afternoon Activities: 1:15 – 4:30 pm
Please join us for either indoor or outdoor interactive activities to celebrate and explore riparian buffers. Options may include:
- Nature drawing and watercolor with SWVA artist
- Agroforesty
- Karst topography
- Plant material for tricky sites
- Urban buffer considerations
- Wetlands
- Amphibians and riparian forests
- Invasive species management
More information soon!
Extra activities:
- These are in the works — check back soon for more information.
Image Credit: American Hiking Society »
2026 Summit Location
Farrell Hall – Hungry Mother State Park
2854 Park Blvd, Marion, VA 24354
Reserve your lodging now!
October is peak foliage season at Hungry Mother State Park! Consider your lodging needs and book now to beat the crowds. We will be sharing an array of pre-and post-meeting activities to explore the region and hope you can extend your stay in Southwest Virginia!
On site
To reserve lodging on site, call Virginia State Parks at 800-933-7275 or visit the Hungry Mother State Park website. We recommend reserving ASAP if you are hoping to secure overnight accommodations in the park!
In town
We have a hotel block available at Comfort Inn Atkins-Marion I-81 for October 13-15. Call 276-783-9715 to book and mention you’re with James River.
Additional lodging options are available in the town of Marion and nearby Atkins.