A Year in Review: VCN’s Annual Report from Spring 2025-Winter 2026
Cover photo by TJ Byrd at Dogwood Dell in Richmond.
Thanks to highly coordinated efforts, VCN has grown to over 170 environmental organizations throughout the year. With an increasing number of VCN Partners engaged in the work, VCN achieved record-breaking numbers: 47 policy papers highlighting unique environmental issues were published in Our 2026 Common Agenda written by a collective 97 individuals across our Network.
This year’s Annual Report reviews Virginia Conservation Network’s work from Spring 2025 to Winter 2026. 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 top highlights, including:
- our strategy to advance conservation initiatives year-round,
- our Network Partners and the work they did in our five main issue areas,
- our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice,
- and more!
Take a sneak peek at the numbers
Help break this year’s record with us
We’ve been able to strengthen our Network and achieve record-breaking growth all thanks to your ongoing and continued support. Consider supporting our mission with a $25, $50, or $100 donation and join in Virginia’s most powerful, diverse, and highly-coordinated conservation movement!
See more recent updates on our blog
New Laws: Making Shared Solar More Equitable
On July 1st, two new laws will go into effect that expand shared solar programs in Virginia. These laws will increase access to Virginians to participate in the clean energy transition.
New Laws: Single Staircases Encourage Sustainable Housing
On July 1st, all bills from the 2024 General Assembly session became law in Virginia. One new law directs the Building Codes Commission to conduct a study on allowing single staircases for residential buildings up to six stories instead of three.
New Laws: Reducing Toxic Threats to Our Water and Health
Starting July 1st, most bills from the 2024 General Assembly session became law in Virginia, including bans on high PAHs in pavement sealants and cyanide in gold mining. These laws aim to cut toxic pollution in Virginia's waters and protecting human and ecological health.