Our Mission
VCN is a network of more than 100 organizations committed to protecting Virginia's natural resources. We work to serve and strengthen our member organizations and we advocate for shared environmental priorities, our common agenda.
VCN serves and strengthens its member organizations:
- VCN sponsors the annual Virginia Environmental Assembly to train conservation professionals and volunteers in effective nonprofit management and to share their conservation success stories.
- VCN helps environmental organizations promote educational workshops, clean-ups, and other events through the network's website and newsletters. Click here to visit the VCN calender.
- VCN provides members up-to-date information on legislative and regulatory matters that affect Virginia families, their health, and their communities. In particular, VCN publicizes opportunities for public comment on environmental issues and permits.
- VCN disseminates sign-on letters and action alerts on behalf of its members to raise awareness of key conservation issues and build coalitions around pro-environment reforms.
- Click here for a list of VCN member organizations.
VCN helps develop and advance a common agenda for conservation:
- VCN workgroups conduct policy research year-round and write VCN white papers. Click here to download the network's Conservation Briefing Book.
- VCN's common agenda, which is reflected in the Conservation Briefing Book, becomes the basis for a legislator scorecard developed by Virginia League of Conservation Voters.
- VCN coordinates legislative information during the General Assembly so that the environmental community can work together to achieve common goals.
- VCN tracks environmental legislation, the development of regulations, and opportunities for the public to participate in environmental decision-making at all levels.
- VCN's Legislative Contact Teams program equips volunteers to serve as conservation ambassadors to their communities and public officials.