Virginia’s Buffer Summit

9 am: Registration + Refreshments

• Student / young professional welcome and morning meet up

9:30 am: Welcome + Overview

• Agenda overview & Intros with Christine Gyovai, Philippa Belsches, & Andie Waugh, Dialogue + Design Associates
• Hungry Mother State Park welcome with Kevin McDonald, HMSP Manager
• Welcome to SWVA watershed and buffers with Carol Doss, Upper Tennessee River Roundtable
• Summit welcome and background with Amber Ellis, James River Association

9:55 am: Buffers, Why We’re Here with David Wise, Stroud Water Research Center

• Buffers 101: An introductory presentation on Riparian Forest Buffers, detailing their purpose, function, importance for instream processing, and what we’ve learned.

10:25 am: Buffer Trivia! with Rachel Bensink, James River Association

10:35 am: Panel: Buffers in Southwest Virginia – Landscape, Habitat, and Projects with Jared Ring, Appalachian Voices and Brandon Blevins, Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District

• 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 Appalachian Voice’s Mineland ReLeaf initiative and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Central Appalachian Habitat Stewardship projects.

11 am: Break

11:10 am: Future of Virginia Buffers with Patti Nylander, Department of Forestry, and Kevin McLean, Department of Environmental Quality

• These presentations will discuss buffer efforts at the state level, including a summary of Department of Forestry data, riparian buffer progress and initiatives in Virginia to increase implementation and funding.

11:30 am: Statewide Buffer Outreach Campaign and Small Group Discussions with Caitlin Verdu, Virginia Office of Resilience

• Hear about the planned Statewide Buffer Outreach Campaign inspired by the Virginia Riparian Forest Buffer Action Plan, highlights of action being taken that we can build on, and communication strategies. This presentation will highlight ideas from small groups at the 2025 Buffer Summit.
• Small group discussion and report out

12:10 pm: Morning Closing and Next Steps

• Rachel Bensink, James River Association
• Christine, Philippa, and Andie, Dialogue + Design Associates

1:15 – 2:30 pm: Rotation A

1. Agroforestry: Not Your Typical Buffer with Kendra Esparza-Harris, Department of Forestry and Thomas Burke, Natural Resources Conservation Service
   • A session focused on innovative, non-traditional buffers and agroforestry practices. Map location A: Ferrell Hall downstairs (200 spaces)
2. Plant Material for Tricky Sites with Maggie Jamison and Grayson Harlow, The Nature Conservancy
   • Live stake learnings in wetland areas of riparian projects, including a comparison of bareroot versus live stake data. Map location A: Ferrell Hall upstairs (30 spaces)
3. Wetlands and Riparian Forests Walk and Talk with Mike Hayslett, Vernal Pools LLC, and Ben Sagara, Department of Wildlife Resources
   • A guided walk discussing the biology and ecology of wetland and riparian forests, as well as related projects. Map location C: Boat Ramp (30 spaces)
4. Self-guided Exploration and Networking
   • Connect with others or explore Hungry Mother State Park on your own!
5. Nature Drawing and Watercolor with Jen Otey, MOONbow ARTworks
   • Jen will lead the group through a drawing and watercolor project, explaining her process of capturing nature scenes. All necessary materials will be provided. Map location B: Shelter 3A (20 spaces)

2:45 – 3:45pm: Rotation B

1. Karst to Coast: Geology & Buffers across Virginia with Matt Heller, Department of Energy, and Terri Brown, University of Virginia’s College at Wise
   • A session focused on the different geology in Virginia and how it affects riparian buffer work, surface and groundwater interactions. The session will discuss the various geologic provinces in Virginia, from karst to the coastal plain. Map location A: Ferrell Hall downstairs (200 spaces)
2. Backyard Buffer Considerations with Kim Biasiolli, Piedmont Environmental Council and Adele Kuo, Deco Footprint
   • Join this session to learn more about using VCAP conservation landscaping as a resource for urban buffer planning & installation. Gain perspectives from both a landowner and small landscape designer. Map location A: Ferrell Hall upstairs (30 spaces)
3. Amphibians and Riparian Forest with Wally Smith, University of Virginia’s College at Wise
   • Learn about amphibian species that depend on buffers across Virginia, including hellbenders, salamanders, and frogs on this guided walk. Map location C: Boat Ramp (30 spaces)
4. Invasive Species Management with Molly O’Liddy, Department of Forestry , and Jordon Blevins, Department of Conservation and Recreation
   • Exploring invasive species management and programs, including Emerald Ashborer and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid control, at Hungry Mother and throughout Virginia . The session will be an outdoor “walk and talk” format. Map location A: Meet outside Ferrell Hall and walk to trail
5. Youth Education on Buffers with Carol Doss, Upper Tennessee River Roundtable, and Ali Reilly, Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
   • Learn about hands-on environmental education activities and demos related to riparian forest buffers. Map location B: Shelter 3A (20 spaces)

4 – 4:30 pm: Closing Activities at Ferrell Hall

• Summit Reflections with Christine Gyovai, Dialogue + Design Associates
• Closing Art Activity