September 10, 2026 – Keeping up with marshes: Sustaining wetland functions
This annual workshop focused on recent developments in tidal wetland science, policy, and management. The first hour featured presentations highlighting marsh migration, wetlands policy initiatives, vertical datums, and updates to Virginia's tidal wetlands mitigation policies.
The second half of the workshop featured an overview of CCRM's new living shoreline resource, The Science Behind Virginia's Living Shoreline Standards: A Resource for Coastal Decision-Making, presented by Dr. Donna Bilkovic. Through real-world examples, participants explored what works, what doesn't, and the natural processes that must be maintained to create living shorelines that are resilient, functional, and sustainable.
Presentations (pdf)
The Virginia Marsh Migration April Workshop Update
Megan La Peyre VIMS Associate Dean for Research & Advisory Services
Building Momentum for Wetlands: Policy and Technical Teams
Becky Gwynn Deputy Director, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)
Updating Vertical Datums: Evaluating Potential Legal & Policy Impacts in the Commonwealth
Thomas Ruppert Director, Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative, William & Mary
Overview of VMRC's Updated Tidal Wetlands Mitigation -Compensation Policy and HB 390 - Habitat Policy Oversight Committee (HPOC)
Randy Owen Chief, VMRC Habitat Management Division
The Science Behind Virginia's Living Shoreline Standards: A Resource for Coastal Decision-Making
Donna Bilkovic Center for Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
A Changing Wetland Jurisdiction Landscape: Scenario-based decision support for Virginia and shared interstate wetlands
Kirk Havens Director & Karinna Nunez Senior Research Scientist,
Center for Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Presentation coming soon
Related Links
Virginia Coastal Resources Tool
AdaptVA Interactive Map & User Guide