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:
Flood Resilience in Appalachia Federal Policy Recommendations
ReImagine Appalachia, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, and the National Wildlife Federation released their Flood Resilience in Appalachia Federal Policy Recommendations, detailing a four-pillar flood resilience policy roadmap for Appalachia.
Report: State of State Habitat Connectivity Legislation
The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and Wildlands Network released a report on the progress of U.S. state habitat connectivity legislation over the past 25 years, offering trends, models, and examples for policymakers.
6 Takeaways for the Environment from the Compromise Budget
The General Assembly reconvened for a special session on Monday, May 13th to vote on a bipartisan compromise budget. VCN shares the 6 takeaways on what the negotiated budget did for our environmental priorities.
Kicking Off Our Racial Equity Learning Series
Our Racial Equity Learning Series allows VCN Partners to broaden their knowledge on their racial equity and diversion, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) journey.
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".
Missed Opportunity to Rejoin RGGI Through the Budget
Our Partners at the Virginia League of Conservation Voters released a joint statement, signed on by VCN and several of our Partners, addressing the absence of language for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the new budget.