A Year in Review: VCN’s 2023 Annual Report
Thanks to highly coordinated efforts and despite political headwinds, VCN — in our role as the strategic facilitator of our 150+ Network Partners — was successful in holding onto major environmental and climate policy successes from the last few years while celebrating historic investments in conservation funding through the budget.
Our Annual Report reviews Virginia Conservation Network’s work from Spring 2022 to Winter 2023. While it feels almost impossible to cover everything we worked on last year in only a few pages, we did our best to squeeze in the highlights, including:
- our strategy to advance conservation initiatives year-round,
- our policy gains and challenges through the General Assembly session and beyond,
- our Network Partner engagement events,
- and more.
As we sent this annual report to the printer, we learned of the tragic loss of our Clean Energy & Climate Justice Policy Manager, Shawn Soares, on May 4th, 2023. Shawn was committed to devoting his career to bettering the Commonwealth and was a rising star in the climate movement. We are dedicating this annual report to him and are committed to working in his honor moving forward.
Read more of our recent updates from our blog:
Climate Investments in VA: Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades
VCN is partnering with different organizations to create videos showcasing federal funds being brought into Virginia. Our first partner, Viridiant, highlights the impact of Home Energy Rebates.
Climate Investments in VA: Expanding Access to Electric Vehicle Chargers
VCN is partnering with different organizations to create videos showcasing impactful projects throughout Virginia. VCC is highlighting Henrico County’s initiative to expand public access to zero-emission vehicle infrastructure through EV charging stations.
Climate Investments in VA: Reconnecting Jackson Ward
VCN is partnering with different organizations to create videos showcasing impactful projects being brought into Virginia. PSG is highlighting the Reconnect Jackson Ward project, which aims to reconnect the Jackson Ward neighborhood.
Missed General Assembly Preview? Rewatch It Now!
Rewatch the General Assembly Preview livestream as speakers discuss key issues expected for the upcoming General Assembly session.
How Toxic Sewage Sludge Hurts Virginia Farms
Virginia farmers are discovering PFAS contamination in sewage sludge used as fertilizer, putting their farms and local communities at risk.
ROUNDUP: Court Rules in Favor of RGGI
The Circuit Court of Floyd County ruled that the regulatory action removing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was “unlawful and without effect.”
How Schools Get Electric Buses in Virginia
VCN and Generation180 recently highlighted Lynchburg City Schools for electrifying a part of its bus fleet. As more Virginia schools switch to electric buses, they will support improvements in children's health, academics, and behavior.