Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to join Virginia Conservation Network as Executive Director at a time of great potential. The network now has two full time staff, as well as a strong and active board.  Most importantly, our members are informed and involved.  VCN member organizations represent thousands of citizens throughout Virginia who are passionate about the need to protect the Commonwealth’s natural resources.
            I believe we are poised to channel growing public concern over dirty streams, sprawl, rising energy costs, and diminishing wildlife into positive change­—change in the workplace, at home and in the halls of the capitol.
            VCN members work to empower Virginians, helping them understand how they as individuals can take small but important steps toward a greener future. And together, VCN speaks to the need for collective action.  We raise a chorus of consensus on matters of public policy.
            The lesson of ecology is that living things are interconnected in strange and often wonderful ways. So too, our various conservation missions overlap and intertwine.  By working together, we maximize our effectiveness and we magnify our voice.
            I look forward to meeting more members and friends of VCN in the coming months. It is my hope that you will attend this year’s VCN Environmental Assembly, on Sept. 30 in northern Virginia. It promises to be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the interconnected conservation issues facing Virginia and what VCN members are doing to create positive change.

Best,
Nathan Lott
VCN Executive Director

RESERVOIR CAUGHT IN AN IRONIC TRAP
Update from Public Hearing on King William Reservoir
July 22, 2006 - THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
JAMES CITY — Opponents against a permit extension for the King William Reservoir filled the seats and spilled into the aisles at Thursday night's State Water Control Board meeting. Some even came prepared with folding chairs.
Around 150 people showed up, of whom 125 signed in with the Alliance to Save the Mattaponi. - BY CARY BELL

FOAM ON THE JAMES
'This is as bad as it has been in a long time,' says the James River Park manager
July 24, 2006 - RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
The mystery continues. Just two days after the state closed its investigation into foam and phosphorus in the James River, the foam showed it wasn't quitting. BY REX SPRINGSTON

RAIL TO TYSONS - COALITION FOR SMARTER GROWTH RELEASES ACTION ALERT 

The final decision about Metrorail to Tysons and Dulles is now pending.  Will the rail line be tunneled through part of Tysons Corner, facilitating a true redesign that makes it possible and convenient to walk to the station or will the line be elevated creating distinct challenges for people accessing the station and in designing buildings oriented to transit?  The redesign of Tysons is critical for our entire region. With the leadership of Fairfax’s Supervisors in promoting national consulting assistance for the redesign of Tysons Corner, we have the opportunity to ensure that rail into Tysons Corner is successful.  The tunnel may be a critical piece of that redesign.

Without your support, the option for a tunnel for Dulles Rail in Tysons Corner will be lost. 

Please EMAIL OR CALL Congressman Wolf, Congressman Davis and Governor Kaine in that order.
Note: It appears that for Congressmen Wolf and Davis their web-email systems only allow constituent emails, so all others will have to call to their offices.

Congressman Wolf:   http://www.house.gov/wolf/email/email.html or (202) 225-5136

Congressman Davis: http://tomdavis.house.gov/davis_contents/center/feedback/ or (202) 225-1492

Governor Kaine: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm

KEY POINTS :
*Thank official for support of transit investments in Northern Virginia and support of Dulles Rail

*Urge your support for the tunnel alternative for Tysons Corner - as tunnel will have a longer life and cause less traffic disruption during construction.

*Emphasize that the tunnel allows for much better design of the surrounding streets and buildings, improving pedestrian access to the stations and thus enhancing ridership. 

For more information:
Coalition for Smarter Growth's Press Release:  Tunnel May Hold Key to Rail’s Success in Tysons Corner

HAVE FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME ON THE JAMES RIVER
Go To: www.jamesriveradvisorycouncil.com for more information

BECOME A VIRGINIA CERTIFIED MASTER NATURALIST
Virginia's Master Naturalist Program, which made its debut this spring offers certification for volunteers engaged in educational outreach and services dedicated to the beneficial managment of natural resources and historic areas within their community. A certified naturalist attains certification through training courses in ecology and natural history and at least 40 hours of service a year.

To Locate Your Nearest Naturalist Chapter visit www.virginiamasternaturalist.org.

THE CONSERVATION LEADERS NETWORK SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

The Conservation Leaders Network is in need of several volunteers who can help by working from their home computers.  You can volunteer one time or multiple times over a couple of months.  Volunteering would include helping to obtain email addresses for the pro-environment County Commissioners that Conservation Leaders Network works with.  

For More Information Contact:
Peg Reagan, Executive Director, Conservation Leaders Network at 541-247-8079 or visit www.conservationleaders.org

VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT VIRGINIA'S ENVIRONMENT BY JOINING A LEGISLATIVE CONTACT TEAM

Virginia Conservation Network and Virginia League of Conservation Voters- Education Fund are in the biggest recruitment year ever for building our Legislative Contact Teams! Imagine the unified power of 3 to 4 individuals in every State House and Senate District in Virginia, conveying key conservation issues to their representatives.

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! To learn more about the LCT program, check out the LCT Homepage or call Mike at VALCV-EF or Suzanne at VCN- contact information is listed below.

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

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FRIENDS GROUP GRANT PROGRAM
Deadline: September 1, 2006
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, provides seed grants to innovative proposals that seek to increase the number and effectiveness of organizations interested in assisting the refuge system nationwide.

Find out more: www.nfwf.org/programs/nwrgp.cfm