We are proud to report that on Monday, January 22nd, Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) hosted its second consecutive sold out Conservation Lobby Day. Over 200 conservation organizations and advocates from across the Commonwealth joined together in Richmond to meet with their state legislators and urge them to support environmental policy advancements.
In addition to holding over 100 meetings with their representatives, attendees enjoyed a breakfast kick-off with state legislators and were joined by the new Secretary of Natural Resources Matt Strickler and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring for lunch. Virginia’s First Lady Pam Northam also made a surprise appearance!
Needless to say, Conservation Lobby Day was a big success — see below for photos and more information about the day.
Delegate Sam Rasoul and Delegate Elizabeth Guzman Kicked off the Day of Action
Despite the early start time, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was completely filled when Delegate Sam Rasoul and Delegate Elizabeth Guzman kicked off Conservation Lobby Day at 8:00 AM. Delegate Guzman, one of the first Latinas elected to the Virginia General Assembly, told the crowd: “I’m here today because climate change is not a myth and we must address it!” Delegate Rasoul represents the Roanoke area along the route of one of the two proposed fracked-gas pipelines. He is championing a series of bills to protect his constituents’ drinking water form the construction of these pipelines. The Delegates’ powerful remarks inspired advocates before they headed to the building to lobby their legislators.
Secretary of Natural Resources Matt Strickler and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring Led an Intimate Lunch Discussion
VCN co-hosted lunch with Virginia’s United Land Trusts (VaULT) and were joined by Governor Northam’s newly appointed Secretary of Natural Resources Matt Strickler and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. The Secretaries introduced themselves to the conservation community to kick off a conversation about shared priorities between our Network Partners and the Secretaries.
Executive Director of Virginia Conservation Network Mary Rafferty and Executive Director of Virginia’s United Land Trusts Ellen Shepard with Secretary Strickler and Secretary Ring.
Young conservation advocates posing for a photo with Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring.
Advocates Briefed Attendees on Priority Bills via Friday Webinar & Issue One-Pagers
In preparation for Conservation Lobby Day, VCN hosted a prep webinar on Friday, January 19th during which experts briefed participants on top line items in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly session. Over 150 advocates joined the prep webinar when it was being broadcasted in real time — we expect the same number of advocates watched the recording over the weekend to prepare for their lobby appointments.
Nearly 100 Meetings Held with State Legislators
Armed with their issue one-pagers, Environmental Briefing Books, and inspiration from the morning kick-off, advocates headed down the street to meet with their legislators. Nearly 100 meetings were held with legislators and aides. During these meetings, advocates spoke about tackling climate change by joining RGGI; protecting our waterways from coal ash and fracked-gas pipelines; and investing in key conservation priorities, including Metro funding, clean water programs, and land conservation grant programs.
Senator Scott Surovell and Senator Bill DeSteph posted on Facebook about their meetings with Conservation Lobby Day attendees.
Conservation Lobby Day attendees meeting with Delegate Bob Thomas to talk about stormwater, agriculture, and protecting the Rappahannock River.
Garden Club of Norfolk members after their meeting with Delegate Jay Jones.
Thank You!
We’d like to give a big thank you to everyone who joined us in Richmond on Monday to speak with their legislators and urge them to support environmental policy advancements. We would also like to thank VCN’s Network Partners who helped make this day of action a big success — especially to members of our Legislative Committee who helped prepare attendees for their appointments.
Our work does not stop here. Please stay tuned for more information about important bill updates and ways you can help advance our conservation agenda in Richmond over the next few months.