2026 Rivanna River Basin Commission Annual Conference
About this Event
RRBC Conference 2026 invites technical experts, local stewards, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss the state of stewardship and public access in the Rivanna Watershed.
Coffee and light refreshments will be served in the morning, and lunch is included for all attendees. Please bring a reusable water bottle if able to aid in our efforts to minimize waste at this event.
For more information please contact Isabella O'Brien at the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission.
Preliminary Agenda 2026
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Check-In
Info: Attendees are asked to check in. Light refreshments will be provided.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome to the 2026 RRBC Annual Conference
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:50 AM
Keynote Address: Stewardship, Access, and Resilience in the Virginia Outdoors
Host: Kristal McKelvey, DCR
Info: The Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP) serves as the Commonwealth's roadmap for connecting conservation stewardship, outdoor recreation, and community resilience. This keynote will explore how the VOP helps guide planning and decision-making while also reflecting the outdoor experiences and priorities that matter most to Virginians. Participants will learn how communities and organizations can use and cite the plan in projects, grants, and planning efforts, while members of the public will gain insight into statewide and regional trends in outdoor recreation, conservation, and access to natural resources. The session will highlight key survey findings and offer a look at how public input is shaping the future of Virginia's outdoors for residents, visitors, and future generations.
🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:30 AM
Connecting Communities and Nature: The Biophilic Region Initiative
Host: JD Brown, UVA School of Architecture
Info: The Biophilic Cities Initiative, based at the University of Virginia School of Architecture, is a global movement advancing research and practice that brings nature more deeply into the places where people live, work, and play. UVA faculty affiliated with the initiative will introduce the vision for the world's first **Biophilic Region** and explore how this work aligns with the goals of stewardship, access, and resilience across the Rivanna River Basin. The presentation will highlight opportunities to strengthen connections between communities and natural resources, foster regional collaboration, and support healthy ecosystems and vibrant communities through nature-based planning and engagement.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Coffee Break
🕑: 11:50 AM - 12:30 PM
Featured Topic: Private Sector & Environmental Stewardship
Host: Rivanna River Company
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:20 PM
Lunch
Info: Lunch break! Provided by Fabio's NY Pizza.
🕑: 01:20 PM - 02:00 PM
Featured Topic: Learning from Neighboring Communities
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:40 PM
Featured Topic: Local Projects Panel
Host: Lisa Wittenborn, Rivanna Conservation Alliance
Info: Communities across the Rivanna River Basin are advancing innovative projects that improve access to natural resources, strengthen stewardship, and enhance community connections to the watershed. This panel will feature a series of brief presentations highlighting local initiatives from around the region, followed by discussion and audience questions. Speakers will share lessons learned, challenges, and successes from projects that demonstrate how collaboration, community engagement, and on-the-ground action are helping to build a more resilient and connected watershed.
🕑: 02:40 PM - 03:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 17.85
