Highlights from VCN’s Annual Meeting & Partner Retreat
On September 22nd-23rd, Virginia Conservation Network Partners returned to Pocahontas State Park for the Annual Meeting & Partner Retreat. We took a much-needed break from our screens to connect with new and familiar faces and strengthen our Network’s collaborative efforts.
Check out some of our favorite moments from this year’s Annual Meeting & Partner Retreat in the pictures below!
1) Annual Meeting
For our Annual Meeting, our Executive Director, Jessica Sims, recapped our program’s highlights over the past year; announced and introduced our new Partners. Our Partners voted to approve two new Board Members: Diane Thomas and Christian Martinez Lemus. Jessica Sims also facilitated our keynote panel, “Working in Partnership Across the Commonwealth”, with Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova, and Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue.
2) Sessions
Partners took part in a mix of sessions on how to advance our Network goals and strengthen collaboration. Sessions included:
- Exploring how to turn policy ideas into enactment
- Workgroup-specific sessions on strategic visioning, cross-sector collaboration, and more
- Best practices on advancing grassroots advocacy towards environmental policy
- Resiliency 101 covering statewide policies, laws, scientific research, funding opportunities, and initiatives
- Exploring best practices & opportunities to build Tribal Nations as strategic partners for conservation
3) Camp Fun!
Our Network also strengthened our relationships to better speak as one coordinated conservation voice through fun and relaxing activities:
- Enjoying our Happy Hour & oyster tasting
- Playing in teams for our trivia night
- Outdoor art station
4) Conservation Awards
VCN also hosted its Conservation Awards at the annual Meeting & Partner Retreat, recognizing five environmental advocacy professionals working in Virginia’s partnership of 170+ organizations. See our past recipients below:
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.
Honoring retiring environmental champions and the rising generation filling their shoes
Virginia Conservation Network presented six awards at the first annual Conservation Awards at their annual Meeting & Partner Retreat to recognize influential environmental advocacy professionals working in Virginia’s partnership of 160+ organizations.