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:
Our 2025 Common Agenda Education Series
Our Common Agenda Education Series is an annual weekly webinar series that runs through October, featuring environmental experts who will lead deep dives into key issues from Our 2025 Common Agenda Environmental Briefing Book.
Meet Virginia’s Conservation Champions of 2024
Virginia Conservation Network presented four Conservation Awards at their annual Meeting & Partner Retreat to recognize influential environmental advocacy professionals working in Virginia’s partnership of 170+ organizations.
ROUNDUP: Central Atlantic Auction Grows Offshore Wind Industry
Virginia's offshore wind energy industry continues to grow after the sale of a Central Atlantic lease 35 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to Dominion Energy.
Virginia Conservation Photography Contest: 2024 Winners
The votes are in - see the VCN's 2024 Virginia Conservation Photography Contest winners!
New Laws: Safely Bicycling and Walking to School
On July 1st, all bills from the 2024 General Assembly session became law in Virginia, including one that streamlines the process for improving bus stops. This law allows local building officials to review and approve plans for bus shelters, benches, and sidewalks.
New Laws: SAVE Act Saving Energy and Money
The SAVE Act, which went into effect on July 1st, will strengthen energy efficiency savings targets that utilities are required to meet under the Virginia Clean Economy Act. These utility accountability measures will save Virginia residents money and power while working towards the state’s climate goals.