On September 26th-28th, Virginia Conservation Network Partners headed back to Pocahontas State Park for the Annual Meeting & Partner Retreat. We swapped conference rooms for campsites, panels for paddles, and heels for hiking shoes to unplug, recharge, and spend a few days enjoying the outdoors as a Network.

Check out some of our favorite moments from this year’s Annual Meeting & Partner Retreat in the video and pictures below!

Partners got together to enjoy the splendors of Virginia’s outdoors! Field trips included:

• Paddling with Friends of the Rappahannock, Wetlands Watch, and Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
• A Bug Safari hike and insect specimen showcase
• An e-bike showcase and park joyride with Blue Ridge Cyclery
• Bird watching with Richmond Audubon Society

Our Network strengthened our relationships to better speak as one coordinated conservation voice through fun and relaxing activities:

• Sampling a Bloody Mary bar with Backpocket Provision
• Shucking oysters provided by Friends of the Rappahannock
• Playing happy hour games led by our co-hosts
• Watching a talent show featuring singing, dancing, and even Shakespearen sonnets!
• Joining the discussion with Richmond International Film Festival’s exclusive documentary premiere
• Making s’mores and singing by the campfire

Our Partners were joined by legislators, Virginia’s agencies, and leaders in our conservation movement:

• Delegate Subramanyam and Delegate Ware joined our Conservation Awards Ceremony
• Our Climate Federal Funding discussion was led by Carrie Hearne, Department of Energy, and Chris Berg, VDOT
• Anna Killius and Mariah Davis led our discussion on the Chesapeake Bay
• Our Network discussed our DEIJ progress with Camera Thompson, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Daria Christian, Friends of the Rappahannock

Over 50 of our Partner organizations gathered together for professional development workshops and Network-wide discussions. Some of our favorite programming, pictured below, included:

• Trailblazing Together: a BIPOC Connection Session led by Choose Clean Water Coalition and Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
• Welcoming new board members: Jeremy Hoffman and Wes Gobar
• A discussion on our Network’s DEIJ progress with Camera Thompson, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Daria Christian, Friends of the Rappahannock
• Disability & Inclusion Training with Beyond Boundaries RVA

Thank you to our co-hosts for putting together amazing programming: Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley, Clean Virginia, Friends of the Rappahannock, Piedmont Environmental Council, Southside ReLeaf, Virginia Trails Alliance, and Wetlands Watch!

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Backpocket Provisions (make sure to use “VCN2023” for 20% off your Bloody Mary mix!)
• Blue Ridge Cyclery
• Current Culture Fly Shop
• Roastology
• Väsen Brewing Company