Environmental Leaders Converge on Richmond for 2019 Virginia Environmental Assembly
Mayor of Richmond, Levar M. Stoney, kicks off the Environmental Assembly moderating a panel on innovative conservation efforts in Richmond.
More than 180 members of Virginia’s conservation community convened in the Commonwealth’s capital for the Virginia Environmental Assembly and Annual Meeting – our two-day conference bringing experienced and emerging conservation leaders together to learn, strategize, and network.
There are a lot of things exciting things to highlight from about this year’s Environmental Assembly — here are just a few.
VCN Partners Welcomed Three New Board Members
VCN’s board is voted on by our 125+ group of Network Partners. On Friday, VCN voted to welcome:
- Karen Camplin (Fairfax), Environment and Climate Justice chair for the Virginia State Conference NAACP and co-director for the Green New Deal VA;
- John Eustis (Blacksburg), executive director of New River Land Trust; and,
- Calandra Waters Lake (Williamsburg), Director of Sustainability at the College of William & Mary.
Partners voted to support an additional term for three current board members and celebrated three members who are stepping down after serving VCN for many years. Go to www.vcnva.org/about-us/ for a full list of board members.
Network Partners Participated in Workshop on Equity
Angela Park leads Embedding Equity Into Organizational Policies.
After Friday’s annual meeting, Network Partners participated in a two-part workshop Embedding Equity Into Organizational Policies, Practices, and Culture, led by Angela Park. Park is the founder of Mission Critical, an organization dedicated to making social justice and equity hallmarks of advocacy and policy making.
Field Trips Highlighted Regional Conservation Efforts
Each year, the Assembly is hosted in a different region of the state to highlight Virginia’s distinct natural resources. After a full morning of in-depth strategy conversations, participants got outside to see regional examples of conservation efforts (and have a little fun too). James River Association led a tree planting activity south of the James River; Virginia Bicycling Association hosted a bike ride on the Virginia Capital Trail; AfroCity Tours took participants on a walking tour of the Richmond Liberty and Slave Trail, and Maymont Estate hosted a group for a walking and photography conservation tour of the estate grounds.
An Impressive Lineup of Panelists Led Discussions on Critical Topics
Mary Rafferty, VCN executive director, is joined by Levar M. Stoney, Mayor of Richmond, and Chris Bast, Chief Deputy for Department of Environmental Quality.
Friday and Saturday were jam packed with an impressive lineup of panelists leading discussions on everything from addressing climate change, advancing environmental justice, cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities. Mayor of Richmond, Hon. Levar M. Stoney, led a panel highlighting conservation efforts in Richmond; Newly-elected VCN board member Karen Camplin was joined by Beth Roach (Alliance of Native Seed Keepers), Camilla Simon (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors), and Chelsea Barnes (Appalachian Voices) for a discussion on allyship and authentic engagement; Chief Deputy of DEQ Chris Bast participated in discussions on tackling Virginia’s transportation challenges and a pathway to 100% clean energy; Jason Donofrio (The Ocean Foundation) joined a group of panelists to discuss the full cycle of plastic pollution in our waterways and the efforts underway to curb this avoidable litter; and, much, much more. Click here to view the weekend’s full conference schedule.
Waste Not, Want Not
In partnership with National Organic Process Enterprises and the Virginia Composting Council, VCN was able to divert 80% of all waste produced from the assembly to composting. This success was achieved through the use of biodegradable cutlery, plates, cups, and sustainable actions from assembly participants, including the use of reusable water bottles.
Thank You to Our Event Partner and Sponsors!
Thank you to all of our fantastic Network Partners who helped make this year’s event a success by organizing and serving on panels: Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, Clean Virginia, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Clean Fairfax Council, The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Southern Environmental Law Center, The Center for Progressive Reform, Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Virginia Bicycling Federation, and Groundwork RVA. An additional thank you to our guest panelists from the City of Richmond, Richmond City School Board, James River Park System, The Ocean Foundation, Blue Uprising PAC, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Bolt Mobility, EVgo, Rapid Transit, University of Richmond, Alliance of Native Seedkeepers, Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors, ktcPLAN, LLC, Advanced Energy Economy, Changing Landscapes Institute at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia State University, and Richmond Food Justice Alliance.
VCN would also like to extend a special thanks to our host, Virginia Union University Living and Learning Center, and our event sponsors: National Wildlife Federation, Swoope Almanac, Bolt Mobility, and Sigora Solar.