Welcome to the Chesapeake Community Research Symposium 2026!
The Chesapeake Community Modeling Program convened the 2026 edition of our biennial symposium June 1-3, 2026, in Annapolis, Maryland at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The theme of the 2026 Symposium was Chesapeake Bay Research and Restoration: Next Generation Tools for a Dynamic Future.
Scope and Aims
Significant progress has been made toward restoring Chesapeake Bay water quality and living resources. However, restoration efforts face significant challenges as we traverse the third decade of the 21st century. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is how to deal with an emerging generation of new tools for collecting and analyzing water quality data and for simulating physical and biogeochemical processes. These new tools for collecting data include high resolution (vertical, temporal, spatial) in situ monitoring and remotely sensed data, and new tools for analyzing data include a wide variety of machine learning techniques as well as applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Machine learning and AI are also now being used to emulate mechanistic models. Moreover, these tools are emerging in the face of a “dynamic future” where we must maintain progress in the face of a changing natural and human environment. The need for transdisciplinary and “team science” is also increasing, but these approaches also present challenges. Managing misinformation and maintaining effective communication are also becoming increasingly important as AI influences and interpretations emerge.
Background
By bringing together managers, scientists, and stakeholders for a series of plenary talks, panel discussions, and special sessions, the 2026 Chesapeake Community Research Symposium not only highlighted the progress that has been made toward restoring the Chesapeake Bay, but also addressed future challenges to maintaining this progress in the face of the emergence of new tools and challenges in a dynamic future.
Symposium Schedule
Schedule at a Glance
Detailed Schedule
Program
SPECIAL SESSIONS
There were 17 special sessions at the 2026 Chesapeake Community Research Symposium. Click on each session see the session description, session leads, and presentation titles, authors, and abstracts.
Day 1 (June 1st)
Day 2 (June 2nd)
Day 3 (June 3rd)
GUARDIAN AWARD
2026 Sellner Chesapeake Guardian Recipient:
We are proud to announce the recipient of the 2026 Sellner Chesapeake Guardian Award! Dr. Jeremy Testa is a marine ecologist studying the basic ecological dynamics of coastal systems at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Chesapeake Biological Laboratory.
He is a prolific scholar, a trusted collaborator, a gifted mentor, and a recognized leader with approximately 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters plus numerous technical reports that have influenced the science and management communities for the Chesapeake Bay and beyond.
History:
The “Sellner Chesapeake Guardian Award” was first presented to Kevin Sellner at the 2014 Chesapeake Modeling Symposium for “Exceptional Service Dedicated to the Advancement of Community Modeling in the Chesapeake Bay Region”. The CCMP has established this award in Sellner’s honor in appreciation for his more than 30 years of research, guidance and service to the Chesapeake Bay research, management and policy maker communities. Subsequent awards have been given to Denice Wardrop, Kurt Stephenson, Gary Shenk, Carl Cerco, Marjorie Friedrichs, and Karl Blankenship.
This is a standing award presented every 2 years. The eighth awardee was recognized at the Chesapeake Community Research Symposium in June 2026.
Nominations:
In keeping with the evolution of the Chesapeake Community Research Symposium toward a broader scope, the award will be made based on contributions to management-relevant science generally.
Individuals nominated should have made significant and selfless contributions to the research, management and policy maker communities in Chesapeake Bay and/or its watershed. The nominee should have demonstrated sustained contributions. A worthy recipient might also be someone who has influenced Chesapeake research and / or management via teaching and training. Efforts in support of community and open source databases and models are also valued.
SPONSORS
Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!
Questions?
For questions about the 2026 Chesapeake Community Research Symposium, please contact Allison Burbach.