Yesterday, Congress announced the funding of $85 million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) for FY20. This is an increase over the $73 million allocated to CBP for the past five years. Now that there is agreement on the funding package, it must now pass the [...]

Today, the Northam Administration announced a suite of investments in natural resources for the 2020-22 biennial budget. The $733 million includes: keeping the Commonwealth on track to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay by 2025, significantly strengthening the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), ensuring environmental justice, and addressing climate change through [...]

On Saturday, December 7, more than 350 members of Virginia’s conservation community convened in multiple locations across the Commonwealth for a preview of what’s in store for our natural resources and landscapes in the 2020 General Assembly session.Continuing with VCN's commitment to making its events as accessible as possible for [...]

This is going to be a big year for conservation. We need your voice in January. Every year, Virginia Conservation Network's 125+ environmental organizations come together to ensure a strong conservation voice is heard during the legislative session. Volunteer advocates join professional staff to meet with state legislators and encourage them to [...]

REGISTER HERE In preparation for Virginia’s 2020 General Assembly session, Virginia Conservation Network and its Network partners are convening for a preview of what’s in store for our natural landscapes and resources. Volunteers, board members, and staff of partner organizations — as well as those interested in getting more involved [...]

More than 180 members of Virginia’s conservation community convened in the Commonwealth’s capital for the Virginia Environmental Assembly and Annual Meeting – our two-day conference bringing experienced and emerging conservation leaders together to learn, strategize, and network. Mayor of Richmond, Levar M. Stoney, kicks off the Environmental Assembly moderating [...]

On September 19, 2019, the Trump Administration officially repealed the Clean Water Rule, as crucial protection of the Clean Water Act protecting approximately 60 percent of the nation’s stream miles and millions of acres of wetlands. The Clean Water Rule was finalized by the Obama administration after years of planning, [...]

Governor Ralph Northam announced an Executive Order setting ambitious, statewide goals to reduce the Commonwealth’s carbon emissions and move the state’s electricity goal to 30% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% carbon-free by 2050. The Virginia conservation community released the following statements: Kristie Smith, Policy & Campaigns Manager, Virginia Conservation Network "Climate [...]

VCN’s own Mary Rafferty is featured in the Richmond Times Dispatch laying out a pathway for the Northam administration to ensure his 2020-22 budget reflects Virginia's shared priorities to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, protect our landscapes, and enhance our agencies. ...Virginia ranks 47th in budgeting for the protection and [...]