IN THIS ISSUE:

NEWS
VA River Pollution, States on Global Warming, Coal Mining

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Cooperative Conservation Listening Session, HB1150, Clean Air Interstate Rule

VCN MEMBER ORGANIZATION ALERTS & OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS 2006 Virginia Environmental Assembly, Southeast Tourism Meeting, Wilderness Week

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Chesapeake Bay Education or Restoration, Water Quality Assessment Funding, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

NEWLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES
2006 Conservation Scorecard, Nonprofit Marketing Certificate

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
CBF Program positions, TNC Land Protection Specialist

VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Clean Virginia's Waterways , Join A Legislative Contact Team

HELP SUPPORT VCN WITH AN ONLINE CONTRIBUTION TODAY,
OR - CONSIDER A SMALL MONTHLY AUTOMATIC CONTRIBUTION!

 

 

 

 

 
Want to find out more? Visit VCN online at www.vcnva.org!

E-News - An Environmental E-Newsletter
from the Virginia Conservation Network

VIRGINIA CONSERVATION NETWORK
422 East Franklin Street, Suite 303, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone - 804.644.0283, Fax - 804-644-0286, NEW EMAIL - vcn@vcnva.org
 
Message from VCN's Executive Director

Dear Friends,

This year’s Virginia Environmental Assembly—Sept. 30 in Falls Church—is shaping up to be an enjoyable, informative gathering of conservationists from across Virginia. Virginia Conservation Network staff and friends have been hard at work to line up informative speakers and panelists. 
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Cooling the Commonwealth: Better Communities Today, A Better Climate Tomorrow,” our presenters will provide concrete steps for reducing greenhouse gases that also serve to advance our pressing conservation concerns, including clean air, healthy streams, and wildlife habitat.

 At the assembly, you will hear sound science on global warming and its potential impacts for wildlife. You will learn about the state energy plan now being developed and how to speak up for renewable, sustainable sources. You will learn how your organization can partner with unconventional conservationists like unions and churches, and gain a better understanding of how to influence policy without violating the lobbying laws governing nonprofits.

I hope you will plan to join us Sept. 30, and will plan to exhibit on behalf of your organization. Your fellow conservationists are not just allies, they are an invaluable resource. Each year at the Virginia Environmental Assembly, VCN members and citizens learn from one another and forge new partnerships to magnify our effectiveness.

See you there,
Nathan Lott
VCN Executive Director
NEWS

VAST STRETCHES OF RIVERS ARE POLLUTED, STATE SAYS
Environmentalists call report a wake-up call
August 10, 2006- THE WASHINGTON POST
There is, in fact, a lot wrong with the state's waterways. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality identified as polluted about 9,000 miles of rivers and streams in a report last month, alarming a state that prides itself on its natural beauty. - BY SANDHYA SOMASHAKHAR

CITIES STATES AREN'T WAITING FOR US ACTION ON CLIMATE
August 11, 2006 - THE WASHINGTON POST
With Washington lawmakers deadlocked on how best to curb global warming, state and local officials across the country are adopting ambitious policies and forming international alliances aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. - BY JULIET EILPERIN
WOMEN MAKE SOME NOISE ABOUT MINING BLASTS
Two residents of a coal mining town are fighting for an ordinance that would limit explosions
August 7, 2006 - ROANOKE TIMES
The coal mine is quiet now. It has been since the company that ran it went bankrupt in May. But Kathy Selvage and Charlene Greene are pretty sure some other company will come along and pick up where that one left off.- BY TIM THORNTON

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

SPEAK UP FOR CONSERVATION!
Cooperative Conservation Listening Tour 2006 - ROANOKE, VA

The focus on the meetings will be on issues, programs and policies mentioned at the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation in August 2005. Participants are asked to prepare comments with a time limit of two minutes
Location: Colkep Center, Roanoke College, Roanoke, VA
Time: The Session begins at 10:30am

For more information on the session visit: http://cooperativeconservation.gov

TALKING POINTS:

1. If America is to succeed in safeguarding its natural heritage the nation must involve as many people from as many backgrounds as possible in both planning and executing conservation programs. Doing so will not only encourage the development of innovative approaches but also help ensure that gains for fish, wildlife and clean water will be sustainable over the long-term due to the commitment of the full range of stakeholders.  “Cooperative conservation” should mean giving everyone (wildlife biologists, recreation groups, local communities, agency personnel, hunters, anglers, conservation organizations…) a place at the table, not just the parties who will tell you what you want to hear.

2. Cooperative conservation efforts are only successful when they compliment, not replace, current environmental protections. This work should go hand-in-hand with longstanding environmental protections that have cleaned up our air and water, not be used as an excuse to eliminate them.

3. The Bush Administration has actually failed to enforce or worked to dismantle the very laws that have brought people and communities together to address local conservation needs. The increased degradation of fish and wildlife habitat due to the Bush administration's harmful resource extraction policies are creating more problems for wildlife. Increased oil and gas drilling, poor management of salmon recovery program and rivers, and increased logging in old growth and wild forests are all threats that have greatly increased in the last five years. Cooperative conservation efforts are less effective and private landowners are more challenged to protect habitat on their land when wildlife are displaced from federal lands.

4. If cooperative conservation efforts are to succeed, the federal government must be a full partner, which means Congress and the administration must put more resources and less rhetoric into conservation efforts. This administration has steadily worked to weaken the ability of the federal government to pursue conservation by slashing agency budgets, silencing or outsourcing agency professionals and failing to enforce over 30 years of successful conservation law.

The Endangered Species Act:

The Endangered Species Act is itself an example of cooperative conservation. Over the past decade the federal government has invested tens of millions of dollars helping private landowners to conserve species while using their property. We need to fully fund and expand these efforts to include tax credits for landowners engaged in the proactive management of their land for the conservation of America’s natural wealth.

For 30 years the Endangered Species Act has been America's safety net for fish and wildlife at the edge of extinction.  99% of all fish and wildlife ever protected under the Endangered Species Act have been saved from extinction, including the bald eagle, grizzly bear and wild salmon. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the majority of species protected under the Act are stable or increasing in number.

VIRGINIA'S WATER CLEANUP PLAN

During the 2006 session, the General Assembly passed legislation requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop a plan for the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia's waters.

The plan shall address both point and nonpoint sources of pollution and shall include, measurable and attainable objectives for water cleanup, attainable strategies, a specified timeline, funding sources, and mitigation strategies.  The initial plan must be presented to the General Assembly in 2007, with updates every 6 months as necessary.

Secretary Bryant, in coordination with DEQ, has assembled a stakeholder group to help guide the initial development of the plan.  Additionally, there will be public comment opportunities available in the coming months.  Updated information regarding HB 1150 and the work of the stakeholder group is contained on this website.
COMMENT ON CLEAN AIR INTERSTATE RULE BY SEPTEMBER 8
Public Hearing on August 24 at 10:00 a.m.

The Air Board opened up the Clean Air Interstate Rule for public comments. The Board is looking for comments regarding the proposal, the costs and benefits of the proposal, and the effects of the proposal on farm and forest land preservation. The public hearing wil take place on August 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the DEQ office located at 629 E Main Street in Richmond.

The proposed regulation appears in the Virginia Registry as 9 VAC 5 - Chapter 140.

Enter your Comments Online by Visiting:
www.townhall.virginia.gov/Stage/ViewStage.cfm?Stage=3351

VCN MEMBER ORGANIZATION ALERTS & OTHER ANNOUNCMENTS

SAVE THE DATE!
2006 VIRGINIA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSEMBLY

Cooling the Commonwealth: Better Communities Today, A Better Climate Tomorrow

The 2006 VEA will be held on Saturday, September 30 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm at the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia.

For more information and registration information visit:
www.vcnva.org/2006veassembly.php or contact Suzanne Ankrum or Nathan Lott at 804-644-0283

SOUTHEAST TOURISM - 2006 ANNUAL FALL MEETING
This forum will bring together professionals from all walks of the travel and tourism industry. Together, public and private organizations will discuss past roles and explore the future of sustainable tourism. The focus this year will be on transportation decisions, with Governor Tim Kaine as a featured speaker

When: September 6-8, 2006
Where: Arlington, VA at the Crystal Gateway Marriott

For more information visit:  www.southeasttourism.org/fall_meeting.html

WILDERNESS WEEK - SEPTEMBER 10, 2006
A biannual convergence upon the nation's capital to advocate for protection of the Nation's wild public lands
Wilderness Week activities will kick off the evening on Sunday, September 10 with a welcome to Washington reception. There will be a half day of workshops on Monday, and the rest of the week will feature evening networking and socializing opportunities, educational brown bag lunch sessions, and a Congressional Wilderness Reception on September 12 to honor our wilderness champions. Groups will have the rest of the time to hold their own campaign-specific strategy sessions, meet with Members of Congress and their staffs, and hold other events during the week.

For More Information Contact:
Gretchen Lambrecht
Campaign for America's Wilderness
679 East Second Avenue, Unit 1
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 247-2888

NEWLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES

CONSERVATION SCORECARD RELEASED BY VIRGINIA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS

The Scorecard captures a snapshot of conservation legislation acted on during the General Assembly session and documents legislators’ votes on environmental issues.  Click on here to be directed to the 2006 Conservation Scorecard web area where you can download the entire document.

NEW NONPROFIT MARKETING CERTIFICATE
University of Richmond's School of Continuing Studies

The Institute on Philanthropy is re-introducing its updated Fundraising and Development Certificate Program as well as a NEW Nonprofit Marketing Certificate.

Check out the website for more details at www.richmond.edu/scs/philanthropy

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM -
Please visit here for full details on job openings

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

CLEAN VIRGINIA WATERWAYS
Is your group or class looking for way to contribute to cleaning up the waters of Virginia? 

Last fall, more than 4500 volunteers helped clean Virginia's rivers, streams and beaches as part of the VA Waterways Cleanup Day (part of the International Coastal Cleanup). From Virginia's beaches to its mountains, cleanup events are scheduled throughout September and October 2006.
To find a cleanup site near you visit: http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/iccsitesva06.htm

Register a cleanup event by filling out a registration form available at this website: http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/images/icc_virginia_signup_form.htm or call CVW at 434-395-2602

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

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE - CHESAPEAKE BAY EDUCATION AND RESTORATION OPPORTUNITIES
Deadline: October 1, 2006
The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Advisory Committe is accepting grant applications to conduct Chesapeake Bay-related education and restoration activities. These grants are available to non-profit conservation organizations, schools and universities, and governmental agencies whose projects are located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Criteria for Projects:
Increase public awareness and knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay
-or-
Action-oriented projects for restoration and conservation of the Bay.

Find out more: http://dls.state.va.us/cbrfac.htm
Contact:
The Division of Legislative Services
General Assembly Building
910 Capitol Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804)786-3591

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY- CITIZEN WATER MONITORING GRANTS
Deadline: September 1, 2006
Grant funds will support volunteer monitoring activities from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007. The DEQ is offering two different types of grant applications.

1. The regular Citizen Monitoring Grant has a maximum award of $5,000. As in previous years, this grant requires recipients to provide or possess a DEQ approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

2. The New Citizen Monitoring Mini-Grant has a maximum award of $1,000. The mini-grant is open to groups new to citizen monitoring or groups who have not received a regular Citizen Monitoring Grant award in the past three years. Mini-grant awardees do not need to submit a QAPP or SOP to DEQ. Mini-grant recipients must use at least 33% of the award to monitor water quality.

Find out more: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/cmonitor/grant.html
Microsoft ® Word copy of the grant package is available to fill out online by emailing a request to James Beckley.

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

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VCN's mission is to protect the Commonwealth's air, lands, and waters for the benefit of the people, as guaranteed by the Virginia Constitution.

If you have an item that should be included on this list, please send it to Suzanne Ankrum at vcn@vcnva.org .

Suzanne Ankrum, Program Coordinator
Virginia Conservation Network
422 East Franklin Street, Suite 303
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-644-0283
Fax: 804-644-0286
E-mail: vcn@vcnva.org