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PVAS Monthly Program: Legislative Currents: 2025 Water Policy & Environmental Outcomes in West Virginia

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society welcomes Maria Russo, policy specialist at WV Rivers Coalition.

PVMN Continuing Education Eligible

This in-person program is free and open to the public.  All ages are welcome to attend.

PARKING: Both Shepherdstown City parking and Shepherd University Campus parking are available.

  • A map of city parking is here. Meters are not enforced after 6 pm. Spots along High Street are recommended.
  • A map of campus parking is here. You may park in any of the Red lots. C and A are closest to the Byrd Center. Part of B lot is gated, but you may park in any spots near the Facilities building that are not behind the gate.

SCHEDULE

  • 6:30 PM: Social time with light refreshments. In order to reduce waste, we are asking that people bring their own mugs. 
  • 7:00 PM: Presentation begins!
  • 8:00 PM: Approximate end of the program – though it may last longer depending on questions and discussion!

We will also be offering this program virtually! Here is the Zoom link so you can join in from home.  If you are not able to attend live, in-person or virtually, you can view a recording of the Monthly Program presentation later! We typically post the recording within several days.

Presentation Description –

Join Maria Russo, Policy Specialist at West Virginia Rivers Coalition, to discuss the impacts and outcomes on environmental protection and water policy from the 2025 West Virginia legislative session. We will discuss key bills that did and did not make it across the finish line, including those that dealt with data centers, aboveground storage tanks, and threats to drinking water protections. This discussion will be followed by a Q&A. .

About the Presenter:Maria was raised on a small farm in Shenandoah Junction and went on to attend Brown University, earning Bachelor’s Degrees in both Public Policy and Latin American Studies. Early in her career, Maria worked on restorative drug policy and criminal justice campaigns, supporting grassroots organizing efforts and public policy advancement. More recently, Maria worked as a Lobbyist with the West Virginia Environmental Council, helping to pass the PFAS Protection Act and other legislation that supports environmental protection in the state of WV. As the Policy Specialist at WV Rivers, Maria hopes to combine policy progress with community engagement to ensure effective participation in shaping the future we hope to see.

 

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