2025 National Water Monitoring Conference

Reflections from the 2025 National Water Monitoring Conference

In March, the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) team traveled to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to participate in the 14th National Water Monitoring Conference (NWMC), one of the largest and most anticipated gatherings in the world of water quality monitoring. Held every other year and hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this conference brings together hundreds of professionals, scientists, and volunteers from across the country, representing local, state, and federal agencies, academic institutions, nonprofits, and community science organizations.

Despite the absence of many federal partners this year due to ongoing travel restrictions, the conference remained an amazing opportunity for collaboration, idea exchange, and learning. The CMC team was proud to be well-represented, both through attendance and presentations that highlighted the impactful work happening across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Throughout the week, CMC staff presented on a range of topics including, accessible water monitoring, data integration, restoration tracking, and the role of community science in supporting regional water quality goals. It was also an opportunity to showcase how volunteer-collected data is actively informing decision-making at the state and federal levels, thanks to strong quality assurance practices and meaningful partnerships.

As always, one of the most valuable aspects of the conference was the chance to connect with long-time partners and make new ones. The CMC team came away energized and inspired to continue growing our collective impact in the Chesapeake region.

We extend our sincere thanks to the conference organizers and to all of the dedicated monitoring groups we connected with during the event. We look forward to applying the lessons learned and continuing to collaborate toward a future where all communities have the tools and support they need to monitor their local waterways.