VCN LOBBY DAY - JANUARY 15, 2007
Take your love of Virginia's natural heritage to the General Assembly!
Details and registration information will be posted on www.vcnva.org on Monday, December 18

Let me begin by thanking the VCN workgroup leaders, Legislative Contact Team members, and others who took part in our Dec. 2 Legislative Workshop.  Thanks to you, it was a lively, informative success. Your willingness to spend a sunny Saturday morning at the General Assembly building not only signals your commitment to our environment, but also to Virginia’s democratic process.  When Virginia’s conservationists work side by side to engage and educate our many supporters, as well as our political leaders, the result is better policy for Virginia’s streams, forests and wildlife.

And another product of our cooperation, VCN’s 2007 Conservation Briefing Book, describes just what those policies look like.  Hot off the presses, this year’s Briefing Book is the most thorough to date; the network’s six issue workgroups developed 18 white papers in all, addressing everything from wineries to wetlands. If you haven’t yet picked up a copy, visit the VCN website, www.vcnva.org, to download the full color pdf.

You’ll notice that in addition to environmental concerns, we’ve also taken on the issue of citizen involvement. VCN has a longstanding commitment to facilitating public participation in decisions that impact land use, air quality and water quality.  In recent months, baseless lawsuits against activists in Central Virginia and saber-rattling by disgruntled lawmakers aimed at the State Air Board and State Water Control Board have illustrated an important truth: We cannot make the democratic process work for Virginia’s environment, without standing up for transparency, fairness and due process. 
           
In the coming months, I look forward to working alongside you on this issue and the other priorities identified in the Briefing Book. Mark your calendar for VCN’s annual “Lobby Day” on Jan. 15.  I hope you will make plans to join us in Richmond that Monday. Let your representatives know that conservation is Constitutional priority and that the people are watching. 
           
In the meantime, enjoy a safe and restful holiday season.

Best,
Nathan Lott
Executive Director

THIRD BATTLE OF THOROUGHFARE GAP
Robert Duvall, reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, scanned the crowd gathered Monday morning at Beverley Mill near Broad Run in Prince William County.
December 13, 2006 - Loudoun Times-Mirror
Television cameras rolled, Nikons clicked furiously and nearby Interstate 66 traffic rumbled past at a deafening clip. The 75-year-old Academy Award-winning actor slowly unfolded his seven-page speech. "We are here today to talk about corporate vandalism," Duvall gravely intoned. - By DON DEL ROSSO

NORFOLK WANTS TIGHTER SCRUTINY OVER LIGHT RAIL
December 15, 2006 - The Virginian-Pilot
Now that a starter light rail line is just one step away from becoming a reality, city leaders are asking hard questions and want to get more involved in its development. After years of planning and many rounds of federal approvals, transportation officials are on schedule to sign a contract with the federal government in mid-2007 to build the $232.1 million project. That's prompting greater scrutiny from city officials. They want to avoid paying for any cost overruns and they worry that if state transportation aid continues to dwindle, they'll have trouble making debt payments. - BY DEBBIE MESSINA

Activate Richmond Seeks Volunteer Projects
Activate Richmond invites area nonprofits to submit proposals for volunteers through their website: www.activaterichmond.org/_mgxroot/page_10744.html.
Criteria:
--One-time or episodic group projects (average group size of 5 to 15 volunteers);
--Projects scheduled at least 4-6 weeks in advance;
--Projects that do not require advanced training or orientation sessions;
--Projects that average 2-6 hours in length;
--Most of our volunteers are free on evenings and weekends, however Activate Richmond is exploring M-F daytime events; and
--Priority is given to non-fundraising activities.

COALITION FOR SMARTER GROWTH SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
The Coalition for Smarter Growth is currently looking for savvy smart growthers who know how to run phone lines, have a VHS-DVD converter to digitize our VHS collection, or know how to optimally organize office spaces. CSG's volunteer coordinator, Lauren Campbell, would love to hear from you if you can help out. You can reach her at lauren@smartergrowth.net.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FOUNDATION AS A GLOBAL WARMING AMBASSADOR
As a Global Warming Ambassador, you will outreach to the general public through presentations and community events, introduce NWF and global warming concepts, how it affects wildlife habitat our country as well as your state, and what persons can do on an individual level to confront global warming.
For more information and to register visit http://www.nwf.org/volunteertypes/

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