On Saturday, December 7, more than 350 members of Virginia’s conservation community convened in multiple locations across the Commonwealth for a preview of what’s in store for our natural resources and landscapes in the 2020 General Assembly session.

Continuing with VCN’s commitment to making its events as accessible as possible for advocates across the state, the organization’s Network Partners hosted nine watch parties in addition to hosting the in-person event in Richmond.

Combined, these watch parties and the in-person event in Richmond engaged more than 350 advocates across the Commonwealth, making this the highest attended General Assembly Preview in our network’s history.

More than 100 advocates attended the in-person event in Richmond.
More than 100 advocates attended the in-person event in Richmond.
More than 100 advocates attended the in-person event in Richmond.
More than 100 advocates attended the in-person event in Richmond.
Alexandria (Hosted by Chesapeake Bay Foundation)
Alexandria (Hosted by Chesapeake Bay Foundation)
Charlottesville (Hosted by Piedmont Environmental Council and Wild Virginia)
Charlottesville (Hosted by Piedmont Environmental Council and Wild Virginia)
Reston (Hosted by Sierra Club Virginia, Great Falls Group and Choose Clean Water Coalition)
Reston (Hosted by Sierra Club Virginia, Great Falls Group and Choose Clean Water Coalition)
Warrenton (Hosted by Piedmont Environmental Council)
Warrenton (Hosted by Piedmont Environmental Council)
Roanoke (Hosted by Blue Ridge Land Conservancy, Sierra Club Virginia, Roanoke Group, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke)
Roanoke (Hosted by Blue Ridge Land Conservancy, Sierra Club Virginia, Roanoke Group, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke)
Del. Sam Rasoul and VCN Executive Director Mary Rafferty in Richmond
Del. Sam Rasoul and VCN Executive Director Mary Rafferty in Richmond

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

NINE Watch Parties Across Virginia Tuned In

A record number of watch parties were hosted across the Commonwealth this year and accounted for more than two-thirds of the event’s attendance. Watch parties were hosted by the following organizations:


CLIMATE, BUDGET, plastics, and toxics HIGHLIGHTED

Each year, this event provides Virginians with a snapshot of statewide conservation priorities that have the potential to see substantial movement in the 2020 legislative session. This year, experts highlighted the need for taking bold action on climate, securing funding in the budget for our conservation priorities, reducing plastic pollution and toxics in our waterways, and much more!

The agenda also included a panel of experts to cover what legislation we expect regarding transportation funding, Dominion Energy accountability, creating wildlife corridors, and protecting our coasts from offshore drilling. 

Click here for a full list of VCN’s policy priorities. 


SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

We owe a very special thank you to our regional partners for leading the coordination of the nine watch parties. Without their leadership, this event would have not been possible. We are very grateful to have been able to work with them over these past few months to ensure this event’s statewide success.