As I hope you know, registration is underway for the 2006 Virginia Environmental Assembly. The all-day conference will be held Sept. 30 at the Metro-accessible Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in Falls Church.
This year’s Assembly theme, “Cooling the Commonwealth: Better Communities Today, a Better Climate Tomorrow,” serves to unify a sweeping agenda, one that tackles everything from green building to land conservation to renewable energy. No matter your area of expertise, there is something for you.

But the agenda is only half the appeal of the annual Assembly.  This is your chance to meet conservationists from across Virginia, maybe to put a face with the voice you recognize from a VCN workgroup call. We are, after all, a network, and the Assembly is designed to facilitate networking.  Register to exhibit, and share what your group is doing. Your fellow conservationists have a lot to learn from you—and vice-versa.

With networking in mind, VCN has planned two special events preceding the Assembly on Friday, Sept. 29. That afternoon, you’re invited to take a look at smart growth and green development up close on a walking tour of Arlington. That night, VCN will host a special reception—a chance for you, our members and friends, to meet and mingle with each other and with our partners at the National Wildlife Federation. 

At last year’s Assembly, VCN was formally designated as the Federation’s Virginia affiliate.  It’s a blossoming partnership with still-greater potential. VCN members work on a wide range of conservation issues, but almost all in some way improve or protect wildlife habitat—in streams, forests, hedgerows, and even the air. NWF, perhaps best known for its Ranger Rick children’s magazine, is active on a number of environmental issues. By focusing on the fate of wildlife, NWF puts a face—furry or feathered—on complex issues such as global warming.

So, please plan to join us.  It promises to be a fun, informative, and challenging weekend. 
I hope to see you there,

Nathan Lott
Executive Director

MERCURY RISING
The toxic metal isn't just in seafood.
September 3, 2006 - TIME MAGAZINE
Environmental poisons never play by the rules. Just when you think you've got them figured out and rounded up, they give you the slip. Get the lead out of gasoline, and it comes at you through aging pipes. Bury waste and toxins in landfills, and they seep into groundwater. Mercury, at least, we thought we understood. For all its toxic power, as long as we avoided certain kinds of fish in which contamination levels were particularly high, we'd be fine...But mercury is famously slippery stuff, and a series of recent studies and surveys suggests that the potentially deadly metal is nearly everywhere--and more dangerous than most of us appreciated - BY JEFFREY KLUGER

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.

VIRGINIA NETWORK OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS HOSTS TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Are you interested in giving voice to the issues and constituents you care about, and articulating your vision for the nation's nonprofit sector?
Then join Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations (VANNO) at one of seven regional Town Hall Meetings during the month of . These gatherings are being held throughout the state as part of the Nonprofit Congress - an national effort to unite nonprofits and strengthen the charitable sector.  In October, 500 nonprofit representatives will gather in Washington, DC to affirm their common values, prioritize the issues generated from 100 Town Hall meetings in 42 states, and plan collective action that addresses the sector's greatest challenges.  Come join this facilitated discussion and add your voice, ideas, and opinions.

Dates and Locations - Click on the city/town for details about event location and time
Harrisonburg - Wednesday, September 13
Norfolk - Thursday, September 14
Falls Church - Tuesday, September 19
Roanoke - Thursday, September 21
Richmond - Monday, September 25
Machipongo - Tuesday, September 26
Emory - Thursday, September 28

While advance registration is not required, attendees are asked to RSVP so the local hosts can plan adequate seating, food and materials.
For more details Visit www.vanno.org

ALLIANCE FOR JUSTICE ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Register online or by calling Kyle Murphy at (202) 822-6070.
Workshop Registration is $30.
Workshops last one-hour and begin at 2:00 PM
Lobbying Rules for Nonprofits Web Workshop (9/12)
Want to know how your organization can lobby for the public interest?  This session will explain the federal tax laws governing 501(c)(3) lobbying, including how to calculate your lobbying limits under the insubstantial part test and the 501(h) expenditure test, definitions of direct and grassroots lobbying, exemptions to the definition of lobbying and the application of these rules to ballot measure activities.
Building Your Advocacy Grant Making Web Workshop (9/19)
Interested in increasing your foundation’s support of advocacy?  This session provides tools for evaluating the impact of advocacy grantmaking as well as how foundations can assess whether a potential grantee has the resources to engage in advocacy work effectively.
Election Rules for Nonprofits Web Workshop (9/26)
Want to know the role your organization can play during an election year?  This session explains the federal tax rules regarding permissible electioneering activities for 501(c)(3)s, particularly voter registration drives, candidate questionnaires, candidate forums and legislative scorecards. 

THE ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS HOSTS AUDIOCONFERENCE
Defining Major Gifts - The Impact of all Campaigns
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is a 501-c3 organization that represents 26,000 members in 172 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. The Audio Conference will be held on Thursday September 14, 2006 from 12:30pm to 3:00pm. Registration is $15 dollars for non AFP members and free for AFP members. The event will be held at St. Mary’s Education Center, St. Mary’s Hospital Room 159. RSVP to afpcentralva@mindspring.com by noon on Tuesday, September 12

Participants will be able to:
*        Understand the different types of major gifts
*        Identify the characteristics of each
*        Recognize the professional qualities that successful major gift officers possess
*        Identify what is necessary for a campaign to succeed

For more information contact:
John R. Melleky, CFRE
Chapter Administrator
Central Virginia Chapter
Association of Fundraising Professionals
P.O. Box 70610
Richmond, VA 23255
Phone:  (804) 217-7128
Fax:    (804) 217-9128

VCU POSTS COURSE SCHEDULE FOR "ESPECIALLY FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS" CLASSES
See a list of course offerings by visiting www.vcu.edu/ocp/programs/nonprofitorgs/    
For More Information Contact VCU at (804) 827-0246.

PLANT TREES AT PRESQUILE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Help restore 20 acres of wildlife habitat at the Presquile NWR in the James River

Join the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Audubon Society, the James River Association, and Presquile National Wildlife Refuge staff to restore 20 acres of habitat for wildlife at Presquile NWR. Presquile is a pristine island in the James River at the crossroads of Chesterfield, Henrico, Charles City Counties and Hopewell City that is usually closed to the public. This refuge is host to Eagles, heron, osprey, and other migratory birds. Come take this special opportunity to help the James River while viewing amazing wildlife!

When:
September 9, 11, 22, 23, 30 and October 3, 4, and 21
Where:
A ferry to the island will be provided - meet at the ferry at 8:30 a.m. and arrive back by 1 p.m. 
For More Information: Contact Amber Foster at afoster@jamesriverassociation.org or (804) 730-2898 ext 206.
Sign Up: visit www.jamesriverassociation.org/watershed_plant.html                             

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

Last fall, more than 4,500 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

LET YOUR LEGISLATORS KNOW HOW IMPORTANT CONSERVATION IS TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY!
Join other individuals as citizen lobbyists and convey key conservation issues to your representative.
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!
For More Information Contact:
Mike Kaestner, Program Coordinator
Virginia League of Conservation Voters – Education Fund
Phone: (804) 225-1902
Email: mkaestner@valcv.org
or
Suzanne Ankrum, Program Coordinator
Virginia Conservation Network
Phone: (804) 644-0283
Email: suzanne@vcnva.org