Virginia Conservation Network (VCN)’s annual Conservation Lobby Day started with a bang at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church right off East Grace Street. The day marks VCN’s largest Conservation Lobby Day yet with over 250 environmental advocates from across the Commonwealth and more than 100 meetings scheduled with state legislators.

With guidance from VCN’s Bill Tracker and environmental issue talking points created by VCN, attendees were empowered to lobby their state representatives to support strong environmental policies.

For the first time ever, VCN hosted Conservation Lobby Day as a free event due to the kind and generous donations from advocates just like you. Help us keep Conservation Lobby Day free and accessible for everyone by supporting our work with a $10, $50, or $100 donation today!

Advocates met bright and early to pick up their lobby day materials, fuel up with breakfast burritos and coffee, and get pumped up for the day after hearing from champion state legislators:

• Senator Saddam Azlan Salim
• Senator Danica Roem
• Delegate Joshua Thomas
• Delegate Irene Shin

We give a huge, “THANK YOU!” to all the environmental advocates from across the Commonwealth that joined us in Richmond. Prepped with tips on lobbying, pre-scheduled meetings with legislators, and a handful of talking points on priority bills, advocates split up into district teams to meet with their legislators. Over 100 meetings were held with Virginia state legislators throughout the morning.

After legislator meetings, advocates gathered for lunch and to recap a day well-spent. There was a tour of the Capitol Building and a round-robin from around the room where grassroots advocates shared their experiences of the day.

The crowd also heard from the leaders from Virginia’s state agencies, including:

• Mike Rolband, Director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
• Matt Wells, Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
• Angel Deems, Chief of Policy at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
• Ryan Brown, Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)
• Jennifer DeBruhl, Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT)
• Carrie Hearne, Director of Affordability and Competitiveness of the Department of Energy (DOE)

Conservation Lobby Day may be over, but our work is not! The General Assembly will conclude in early March. Until then, keep in touch with your legislator on our priority bills. Refer to our General Assembly Advocacy Guide for General Assembly actions to take through the session and key dates to follow!