06/01/2026
We kicked off the tenth biennial Chesapeake Community Research Symposium this morning with three engaging and diverse plenary presentations.
The Symposium theme centers on ‘Next Generation Tools for a Dynamic Future,’ so our first speaker Dr. Lauren Bridges, Assistant Professor of Media Studies at the University of Virginia, dove into the complex environmental consequences of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Secretary Josh Kurtz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, discussed the past, present, and future of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. His future-focused outlook emphasized the importance of measurable, adaptive, and time-bound goals for water quality AND living resources.
Brandon Jones, President of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), shared a framework for how different generations engage with scientific information and how scientists can leverage a multi-generational strategy to build trust and communicate their science.
Thank you to our speakers and attendees for an incredible start to the Symposium!