TREE CANOPY PRESERVATION
Our Commitment
Preserving intact forests and urban tree canopy for the health of our communities, waterways, and wildlife.
THE ISSUE
Virginia continues to lose both intact forest and urban tree canopy at an alarming rate. Tree canopy loss contributes to degraded waterways and reduces Virginia’s ability to protect its residents from the impacts of climate change, such as inland flooding and negative health consequences of urban heat islands. Virginia needs to assess where and why tree canopy is lost and address the findings through a mix of state regulation, incentives, and education as we move towards becoming a no-net loss state.
New Laws: Protecting Virginia’s Trees
The Forest Conservation Act went into effect July 1st, and it aims to evaluate the health of Virginia’s forests through comprehensive assessments, identifying threats, and strategies for tree preservation and restoration.
Land & Wildlife Conservation Recap: 2024 Policy Outcomes
Virginia Conservation Network advocated for 18 land conservation & wildlife bills this General Assembly session that protect our diminishing tree canopy, reduce invasive species, fund critical outdoor programs, and more.
Bill of the Day: Protecting Trees for Clean Water & Community Health
VCN is supporting efforts to protect tree canopies, aiming to enhance public health and ensure clean water for all Virginians.
Land Conservation Education Week: show me the money!
Our Common Agenda Education Series features the Land Conservation chapter of Our Common Agenda and policy recommendations for preserving tree canopy, sustainable agriculture, dedicated conservation funding, and more.
Celebrating Earth Day with Tree Planting
To celebrate Earth Day, VCN staff joined our Partners from Friends of the Rappahannock to plant 750 trees at Bell Isle State Park.
RESOURCES
Alarming Loss of Virginia’s Tree Canopy
Friends of the Rappahannock's Brent Hunsinger and Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Ann Jurczyk talk about the alarming loss of tree canopy in the region and state and the impact of heat islands in an interview on "Town Talk with Ted Schubel".
OPINION: Tree preservation: A quality of life opportunity for Virginia
Robert Benson submits a Letter To The Editor in the Virginia Mercury stating that tree preservation is important for quality of life in Virginia.
REPORT: Are we trading trees for concrete?
Recent data from the Chesapeake Bay Program show how much impervious surface now exists in the region and what that means for protecting the estuary.