The Coasts, Oceans, Ports & Rivers Institute (COPRI) is proud to announce the formation of its newest local chapter in Hampton Roads, Virginia—an area renowned for its dynamic coastal environment and vital maritime infrastructure. The COPRI Hampton Roads Chapter aims to serve as a collaborative hub for professionals dedicated to advancing sustainable coastal development and resilience.
“We are excited to launch the COPRI Hampton Roads Chapter as a forum to advance coastal resilience and infrastructure excellence,” says Mandy Schindhelm, Hampton Roads chapter chair. “This chapter will bring together engineers, scientists, and community leaders to sustainably develop, protect, and restore coasts, oceans, ports, rivers, and wetlands. We hope you will join us for our future events which promise to provide informative seminars and tours, educational sessions, and networking opportunities for our industry.”
The chapter plans to host a variety of events that will foster knowledge exchange and professional growth, including technical seminars, site visits to local infrastructure projects, and community engagement initiatives. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the Hampton Roads Chapter will play a key role in shaping the future of coastal infrastructure in the region.
"The launch of the COPRI Hampton Roads Chapter is a milestone in COPRI's commitment to advancing coastal resilience and infrastructure excellence," says Craig Jones, 2026 COPRI President. "This chapter will serve as a dynamic hub for innovation and collaboration—bringing together engineers, scientists, and community leaders to tackle the region’s most pressing coastal challenges. We are excited to collaborate with the new chapter to sustainably develop, protect, and restore coasts, oceans, ports, waterways, rivers, and wetlands."
For more information or to get involved, follow the Hampton Roads Chapter on LinkedIn.