Katie Pinkham
February 10, 2026
It’s hard to believe how many weeks have already passed since our 11th Turning a New Leaf Sustainable Landscaping Conference. We only gather for this conference every two years, and for the CCLC team it’s truly a labor of love—months of planning logistics, coordinating details, and striving to create real value for our community.
CCLC Intern Rachael prepares participant folders
PH: Melissa Dombrowski
At the heart of Turning a New Leaf is one of CCLC’s core beliefs- that our impact is greater when we work together, breaking down the silos in the landscape, restoration, stormwater, horticulture, forestry, and education worlds. This conference is about bringing people together—to connect, learn, and build relationships that help move our collective work forward for a healthier Chesapeake Bay and beyond.
Participants start to gather before the conference, visiting with vendors and each other.
PH: Melissa Dombrowski
Kicking Things Off: Welcome Dinner on the James
As always, the conference officially began the night before, this year with a welcome dinner at the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing overlooking the James River. There’s something grounding about starting our time together on the water—it sets the tone for why we do this work in the first place.
Left: Dinner guests listen to Giles Garrison speak.
Right: Lauren Wheeler gives her acceptance speech.
PH: Jim Edward
Guest speaker Giles Garrison shared insights into managing Richmond’s 600-acre riverfront park system. Her perspective reminded us that large-scale stewardship is complex, deeply local, and involves extensive invasive species management.
We celebrated excellence in the field with the presentation of the Marcy Damon Conservation Landscaping Award to Lauren Wheeler. Recognizing leaders who embody the values of conservation landscaping is one of my favorite moments—it’s a chance to pause and say, this work matters, and the people doing it matter too.
A Full Day of Learning, Inspiration, and Connection
Shereen Hughes and Beth Ginter- two of the “Mothers” of the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program prepare to greet attendees- and share program information.
PH: Melissa Dombrowski
Laurie Fox with Foxy Lady Press set up shop with a collection of environmental reads
PH: Melissa Dombrowski
This conference simply would not be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors, many of whom exhibited in Richmond.
PH: Melissa Dombrowski
The conference day itself was packed—from thought-provoking keynote reflections to practical, boots-on-the-ground conversations about how to do this work better.
Ethan Tapper delivering his keynote talk
PH: Jim Edward
We began the day with Ethan Tapper, forester, author, and founder of Bear Island Forestry and Consulting. There was humor, honesty, and a deep sense of responsibility woven through his talk, setting a tone that carried through the rest of the day.
Sessions That Spanned the Field
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to dive into sessions that reflected the breadth of our field. What stood out to me wasn’t just the content—it was the way speakers and panelists spoke across disciplines, sharing lessons learned, challenges faced, and ideas still taking shape.
October Greenfield speaks about the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative PH: Melissa Dombrowski
Terryl Acker-Carter speaks about green infrastructure education and his work at the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy
PH: Melissa Dombrowski
Fran Chismar presenting on invasive species, and planting for the future
PH: Jim Edward
Jazmin Albarran speaking out her work engaging youth in horticulture with Seed Your Future
PH: Jim Edward
Collaboration is the heart of our work – Christine Gyovai speaks about the James River Riparian Consortium model
PH: Jim Edward
Moderators lead strength to conference panel discussions. Here Dave Hirschman moderates a discussion on The Future of Green Stormwater Infrastructure
PH: Jim Edward
Closing the Circle: Rooted and Resilient
We closed the day with Amber Ellis and her plenary session, Rooted and Resilient: Practices for Staying Grounded in Uncertain Times. After a day full of big ideas and honest conversations about the future of our field, Amber brought us back to ourselves.
Amber Ellis reminding us to include nature in our lives
What struck me most was the connection between our opening and closing speakers. Ethan began the day by reminding us that caring for ecosystems is an act of love. Amber ended it by offering practices that help us stay grounded, present, and resilient—especially useful in uncertain times. Together, they held space for both urgency and calm, action and reflection.
Taking It to the Field
The learning didn’t stop when the conference ended. The following day, twol groups joined us for field tours that brought conference conversations into real places.
One group headed to VCU’s Rice Rivers Center, exploring wetlands, tidal creeks, and forests while learning directly from scientists studying wetlands and Atlantic sturgeon along the James River.
VCU’s Rice Rivers Center
PH: Melissa Dombrowski
An Atlantic Sturgeon the group got to meet on their tour
PH: Melissa Dombrowski
Another group toured the Best of RVA, visiting vibrant public green spaces—from native plant-filled community areas to award-winning stormwater projects that blend function, art, and education. Walking along the river and through the city underscored how thoughtful design and collaboration can transform public spaces.
First stop on the Best of RVA tour was The Green at the Science Museum of Virginia
Visiting an award winning green infrastructure project- designed by Scotty Guinn Dilworth
Leaving Inspired
It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces—and energizing to meet new ones. This conference always reminds me that while our work can feel complex and challenging, we are not doing it alone.
Thank you to our speakers, partners, sponsors, and everyone who joined us in Richmond. I can’t wait to see you in 2027 in Pennsylvania!
Katie Pinkham, Programs and Engagement Manager, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC)
As CCLC’s Programs and Engagement Manager, Katie Pinkham leads the operation of the CBLP program, as well as other CCLC initiatives. With nearly two decades of experience in customer service, operations, and program coordination, Katie is known for her thoughtful attention to detail, creative problem solving, and commitment to providing friendly and responsive support to partners, collaborators, and the growing CBLP community. Katie spends her free time crafting, and keeping up with her kids.
Great highlights of an awesome conference, Katie!