2006 Virginia Environmental Assembly

Virginia Conservation Network Presents the
2006 Virginia Environmental Assembly
Cooling the Commonwealth:
Better Communities Today, a Better Climate Tomorrow

September 30, 2006
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, Falls Church, Virginia

Keynote Address: Dr. Robert W. Correll
Chair, Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
Senior Fellow, Atmospheric Policy Program, American Meteorological Society

Additional Remarks/Training On:
***NEW PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION***
***VIRGINIA'S ENERGY PLAN***
***LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION ***
***CARBON SEQUESTRATION***
***ENERGY CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY***

The VEA theme, “Cooling the Commonwealth,” recognizes that global warming can be addressed as local issue. While past debate focused on national policy, cities and states have increasingly begun to tackle climate change at the local level—where we use energy to heat and cool our homes, to power our computers, and to get to work.  

Virginia must face the challenge. There is a critical need to act now to address global warming if we are to avoid dire consequences and seize the opportunity to become a national leader in clean energy. The good news is that the solutions to many of our pressing environmental concerns—clean air, clean water, balanced land use—also help reduce greenhouse gases and curb global warming.

VEA 2006 will focus on proactive solutions that protect our natural resources for enjoyment today and preservation in the future. The VEA program offers an in-depth look at promising areas that can move toward real solutions and keep citizens at the table.

Partners
Keeping Virginia on the right track means forging new partnerships to help develop innovative solutions and make our voices heard. The Virginia Conservation Network is proud to be the Virginia affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Join us on Friday, September 29, after the walking tour, to celebrate how this partnership can benefit all of VCN’s 115+ member organizations and provide opportunities for partnership between VCN members.


Keynote Speaker Dr. Robert W. Correll
Chair of the international Arctic Climate Impact Assessment and a senior fellow at the American Meteorological Society, Dr. Correll is a widely recognized authority on climate change and its potential impacts. Recently awarded the National Wildlife Federation’s “Connie” award for scientific contributions to conservation, Correll will outline the scientific links between human action and climate change—debunking some myths in the process. He will also consider science-based solutions applicable at the local level.

Working Lunch
VEA registration includes a boxed lunch. Participants can choose to attend one of two optional breakout sessions during lunch:

Lobbying 101 for Citizens - Learn how to effectively communicate conservation goals with your elected officials and representatives!

or

Lobbying Rules for Nonprofits- Learn the rules and regulations regarding lobbying so that your organization can participate without violating its nonprofit status

Solutions for Today and Tomorrow
Traditionally, VEA is an opportunity to learn from the experts on issues and opportunities affecting Virginia’s natural resources today. This year, participants will attend two of four workshops (held in two concurrent sessions) that expand upon a panelist discussion focused on topics of interest. In addition, participants can explore our exhibitor tables, which will feature groups working on dozens of local, regional and statewide issues from across the Commonwealth.

Panel and Workshops
• Strategies for Success Panel: From Global Threat to Local Answers
• New Partners for Conservation: Defining our Common Goals
• Reversing Global Warming: Carbon Sequestration and Energy Conservation as Solutions for our
Warming Commonwealth
• The Commonwealth on Energy: What is the State’s Comprehensive Energy Plan and How Can the Public Participate?
• Seeing Land Use and Transportation Make a Difference: Case Studies from across the Commonwealth

Exhibits

Each year at VEA, participants can explore dozens of exhibitor tables, which feature groups working on local, regional and statewide issues across Virginia.
Interested in exhibiting? Contact Suzanne Ankrum at vcn@vcnva.org or 804-644-0283.

• Led by Stewart Schwartz, Coalition for Smarter Growth
• Meet atop escalators at Clarendon Metro Stop, on Herndon in Arlington. 

6:00 p.m. Reception: Porter Lounge, Rock Bottom Restaurant, Ballston Common

• National Wildlife Federation staff will join the Virginia Conservation Network for drinks and light fare. Rock Bottom is located in the Ballston Common Mall at 4238 Wilson Boulevard, just a few blocks from the Orange Line Ballston-MU Metro Stop.
  
  
  For more information or to sign up for either of the Friday events please contact Suzanne at 804-644-0283 or e-mail her at suzanne@vcnva.org
  

Sat., Sept. 30: Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, Falls Church

9:00 a.m. Coffee, exhibit space open

10:00 a.m. Welcome, remarks from president and executive director

10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Robert Correll, Artic Climate Impact Assessment

11:00 a.m. Q & A with Dr. Correll

11:30 a.m. - Annual Meeting of the Virginia Conservation Network
Brief VCN business, vote on new boardmembers

Noon: Lunch (optional working lunch sessions)

Working Lunch: “Lobbying 101 for Citizens”
Lisa Guthrie and Mike Kaestner, Va. League of Conservation Voters

Working Lunch: “Lobbying Rules for Nonprofits”
John Pomeranz, Attorney, Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg, LLP

1:00 p.m. “Local Answers to Global Warming” Panel:
Timothy Warman, National Wildlife Federation Global Warming Campaign
Jeff Rickert, Apollo Alliance
Paul Ferguson, Vice-Chair, Arlington Board of Supervisors
Rose Garr, US PIRG

2:00 p.m.- Workshop Session 1

 “New Partners for Conservation” Workshop:
Jeff Rickert, Apollo Alliance
Pat Watkins, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
Gary Berti, Trout Unlimited

“The Commonwealth on Energy” Workshop:
Steve Walz, Va. Dept. of Mines, Minerals and Energy
Dan Holmes, Piedmont Environmental Council

3:00 p.m. Workshop Session 2

“Reversing Global Warming” Workshop
Glen Bessa, Regional Director, Sierra Club
Billy Weitzenfeld, Association of Energy Conservation Professionals

“Carbon Sequestration” Workshop
Dr. Nino Ripepi, Virginia Tech
Dr. Randolph Wynne, Virginia Tech

“Seeing Land Use and Transportation Make a Difference” Workshop:
Paul Ferguson, Vice-Chair, Arlington Board of Supervisors
Stewart Schwartz, Coalition for Smarter Growth
Trip Pollard, Southern Environmental Law Center

4:00 p.m. Concluding Remarks: Martha Wingfield

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For additional information please contact Suzanne Ankrum or Nathan Lott. E-mail: vcn@vcnva.org or Phone: 804-644-0283

Virginia Conservation Network
Virginia’s only statewide network of over 115 environmental, conservation, & community groups working for a better future. 422 East Franklin Street, Suite 303, Richmond, VA 23219, 804-644-0283, vcn@vcnva.org