Dear Friends and Supporters,
Summertime is here, and that means lots of opportunities for fun activities outside - especially with children! The time we spend outside with children is important to solidifying their connection with nature. For more information on the problem, check out the feature article in this month's National Wildlife Magazine from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Author Richard Louv discusses the importance of this issue in his article The Nature-Child Reunion.

With that in mind, over 25,000 individuals across the nation have already signed up for the June 24 Great American Backyard Campout organized by NWF. Learn more and find out how to organize your own campout by visiting www.backyardcampout.org .

I'm also pleased to tell you about some recent changes here at VCN. In late March 2006, we moved into better suited office space in the Imperial building (home of the Richmond Free Press). The location is still conveniently located - only 4 short blocks from Capitol Square. Please feel free to stop by and visit our new space!

In April, Suzanne Ankrum joined our staff as a full-time Program Coordinator. We are really pleased to have her on board (read her more about Suzanne's background on our website).

Sadly, the time has come for me to move on from VCN. It was at the request of the Board of Directors that I postponed my admission to law school in Portland, Oregon, to spend about 18 months at the helm here at VCN. It has been a wonderful experience - I'm already looking forward to my return to Virginia!

VCN is currently recruiting for a new Executive Director. Please pass the job description on to qualified candidates! More information can be found on our website at www.vcnva.org/jobs.php#vcn_ed .

Sincerely,

Carey Whitehead
Executive Director, Virginia Conservation Network

LARGE FISH KILL IN POTOMAC PROBED
Up to 8,000 fish were found ashore Sunday on Virginia side of river in Northern Neck
June 7, 2006 - RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
Virginia and Maryland environmental agencies are investigating a large fish kill in the tidal Potomac River where unusually high concentrations of a possibly toxic organism were found. BY LAWRENCE LATAN III
 

TAX BREAK CREDITED IN SAVING VIRGINIA LAND
May 16, 2006 - WASHINGTON POST
As growth spreads west from Washington along the Piedmont, record numbers of property owners are protecting their land from development by using a little-known state tax credit that has transformed Virginia into a national leader of private land conservation. BY AMY GARDNER
 

June 10: Clean the Bay Day: 9 am to 12 noon. This is the 18th Annual Clean the Bay Day sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Find out more online.

June 11: Creating Backyard Habitats:  National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard and Community Wildlife Habitat Certification Program
3 pm , Hidden Oaks Nature Center , Annandale , VA
For more information contact Scott at sbirdwell@cox.net or call Hidden Oaks Nature Center at 703-941-1065.

GRANTSMANSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM - WORKSHOP HOSTED BY THE GRANTSMANSHIP CENTER
The Grantsmanship Center’s signature Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to Salem, June 26-30.  The program will be hosted by Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, Virginia 24153.
The Grantsmanship Training Program covers all aspects of researching grants, writing grant proposals and negotiating with funding sources.  More than 100,000 nonprofit and government personnel have attended this comprehensive 5-day workshop, which now includes a full year of valuable membership services. Tuition for the Grantsmanship Training Program is $825 ($775 for each additional registrant from the same organization). Class size is limited to 30 participants. To register online, to learn about scholarship opportunities for qualifying organizations, or for more information, visit http://www.tgci.com/training/tprogram.asp. Or call the TGCI Registrar at (800) 421-9512.

VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT VIRGINIA'S ENVIRONMENT BY JOINING A LEGISLATIVE CONTACT TEAM
INTERESTED? JOIN US AT A REGIONAL TRAINING TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM!

2006 Summer Legislative Contact Team Trainings
Building Skills and Networks to Achieve Environmental Goals:
How You Can Steer the Direction of Virginia’s Energy Future

The Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (VALCV-EF) are pleased to announce the 2006 Summer LCT Trainings. This year VCN and VALCV-EF will discuss energy and how you can organize your community and get involved in the debate and possible solutions.

If you are interested in building a relationship with your legislators and learning how to make sure conservation is their priority--then join a Legislative Contact Team!. If you would like to learn more about the LCT program, check out The LCT Homepage or call Mike at VALCV-EF or Suzanne at VCN—their numbers are below. If you are already an LCT member, please help us recruit by bringing a potential new member with you. The trainings are on weekday evenings, and we will serve dinner – so bring your appetite!

If you plan on attending a training—please RSVP to Mike so that we can order the appropriate number of dinners!

We have an exciting program on tap and hope that you will join us. From offshore drilling to renewable energy sources, and from forestry management to reducing the number of miles we drive —the energy debate looms on the horizon. We cannot make progress, however, without the networks to build support among decision makers.

Join experts in a fun and relaxed forum as we learn about:

- What is being done at the state level to address Virginia 's energy needs in the coming years

- How we can be a part of the decision-making process to ensure we have the best choices available for a better energy future

- How we can build the support networks we need to win on the energy debate and other environmental issues

MEETING LOCATIONS:

Richmond
Date: Monday June 12, 2006, 5:30 – 8:00pm
Location: Central Virginia Food Bank
Link to Map

Roanoke
Date: Thursday, June 15, 5:30-8:00pm
Location: Grandin Gardens
Link to Map

Fredericksburg
Date: Tuesday, June 20, 6:15-8:30pm (Please note the later starting time)
Location: Central Rappahannock Regional Library
Link to Map

Charlottesville
Date: Monday, June 26, 5:30-8:00pm
Location: Jefferson-Madison Regional Library
Link to Map

Norfolk
Date: June 28, 5:30-8:00pm
Location: Ernie Morgan Environmental Action Center
Link to Map

Arlington
Date: Thursday, June 29, 5:30-8:00pm
Location: Arlington Central Library
Link to Map

For more information, please contact:

Mike Kaestner, Program Coordinator
Virginia League of Conservation Voters – Education Fund
530 East Main Street, Suite 820
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 225-1902
Fax: (804) 225-1904
Email: mkaestner@valcv.org

Or

Suzanne Ankrum, Program Coordinator
Virginia Conservation Network
422 E. Franklin Street, Suite 303
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 644-0283
Fax (804) 644-0286
Email: suzanne@vcnva.org