A Year in Review: VCN’s 2022 Annual Report
Over the last year, VCN worked with our 150+ Network Partners to maintain momentum around policy gains while continuing to navigate working within the confines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The year was defined by a gubernatorial election and the infusion of federal money into the state budget. It ended with a vastly different political landscape including a new, untested Governor and a change in conservation strategy from offense to defense.
Our Annual Report reviews Virginia Conservation Network’s work from Spring 2021 to Winter 2022. 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,
- our Network Partner engagement events,
- VCN staff updates,
- …and more!
Read more of our recent updates from our blog:
We’re Hiring! Communications & Trainings Associate
The Virginia Conservation Network is hiring a Communications & Trainings Associate to work with VCN’s Communications Director to support education of our key environmental issues.
ROUNDUP: Virginia Conservation Network Celebrates Next Step for Offshore Wind Energy
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project has taken the next step towards completion! The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued its Record of Decision, which kicks off the 90-day approval period of the Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
Welcome 2023 Fall Fellows!
VCN has welcomed three new fellows – Anjel Iriaghomo, Victoria Jenkins and Katherine Hewes – into the Environmental Advocacy Fellowship for fall 2023. The three fellows will be working on various projects that include but are not limited to: creating an Environmental Glossary, writing blog posts, and expanding VCN's awareness with video production.
Federal Energy Funding for Rural and Remote Areas: A Guide for Communities
The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations released a resource guide for individuals looking for federal funding and assistance for local energy projects in rural or remote communities.
US Solar Development Agreement: Integrating Climate, Conservation, & Community
Large solar developers, leading land conservation and environmental organizations, tribal nation representatives, agricultural interests, community groups, and investors have aligned in a collaboration agreement, emphasizing solar development strategies that prioritize climate, conservation, and community.
Resource Guide: Creating Walkable Piedmont Communities
Piedmont Environmental Council and the Coalition for Smarter Growth released a guidebook for local governments and stakeholders to implement projects to promote walkable communities.