Could you use a good laugh?  Of course—and you’re in luck.  This Thursday, May 3, it’s “Comedy for Conservation” at the University of Richmond’s Modlin Center for the Arts. The network’s annual Virginia Conservation Awards, promises a great time for a great cause.

I hope you’ll join us to celebrate the work of Virginia’s green building pioneers: Bank of America, Wilderness Road State Park, Community Housing Partners, and Bryna Dunn. I hope you will be there as we recognize Rev. Richard Cizik for his groundbreaking work to raise awareness about global warming and promote environmental stewardship amongst people of faith. And I certainly hope you’ll share a laugh with us courtesy of the one-of-a-kind political and musical satirists the Capitol Steps.  Sometimes in American politics all you can do is laugh.   

The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception for sponsors and awardees. The awards and performance follow at 7 p.m. Sponsor tickets are $100 each; general admission tickets are $50.  Buy yours today at (804) 289-8980 or http://modlin.richmond.edu/office/ (click “Buy Tickets,” then “May”).

Best,
Nathan Lott
Executive Director

POWER COMPANIES’ REACH MAY EXPAND
U.S. Plan Could Aid Disputed N.Va. Line
April 27, 2007 – Washington Post
The federal government said yesterday that it would give power companies special rights to build their lines in the Washington region and some other parts of the country, permitting the companies to bypass state authority if necessary in the interest of bolstering the nation's electrical grid.  The change could give Dominion Virginia Power greater authority to build a controversial line through Northern Virginia. The company says it has no plans to bypass the state's authority but won't rule it out. – BY SANDHYA SOMASHEKHAR

HISTORIC CENTURY FARMS NOT IMMUNE TO STRUGGLE
April 23, 2007 – Daily Progress
For more than 100 years, Windy Bluff Farm was a tranquil 250-acre cattle, horse and hay farm in Greene County near the South River and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “It was my great-great-grandfather’s farm,” said Tommy Shelton, the farm’s owner. “It goes way on back.” – BY BRIAN MCNEILL

Appalachian Voices - 2nd AnnualMountaintop Removal Week in Washington
Play a Key Role in Helping to end Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
Date: May 12-16, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Join citizens from across the country in Washington, DC from May 12-16, 2007, for the 2nd Annual Mountaintop Removal Week in Washington. Last year, citizen lobby efforts helped gain 12 additional sponsors for the Clean Water Protection Act -- federal legislation that would sharply curtail mountaintop removal coal mining -- while educating congressional staff about the destructive legacy of mountaintop removal coal mining. Your participation could make the difference in efforts to advance the Clean Water Protection Act. The week in Washington is a great opportunity to meet people from all around the country who are committed to stopping mountaintop removal coal mining.
To register or find out more:
http://www.ilovemountains.org/action/wiw2007/
Want to come but not sure you can afford it? There are a limited number of scholarships for participants
Can't make it but want to help out? Consider donating your frequent flyer miles or money to assist us in getting as many people from across the country to DC for this important week. Contact ilovemountains.org@gmail.com  or call 828-262-1500 to contribute your frequent flyer miles today.

Virginia Natural Resource Leadership Institute
Application Deadline: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Supported in part by funding from the U.S. Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute trains people from industry, businesses, local and state government, and the environmental community. Beginning in September, the Institute will launch its series of six seminar workshops, held throughout the year in various locations across the state. Participants accepted into the program attend all six workshops, which generally run from Wednesday through Friday.
Program:
Institute Fellows will learn ways of moving people in conflict into collaborative problem solving through a mix of dynamic exercises, role plays, mini-lectures, field trips, and stakeholder panel discussions
about specific regional "hot" topics. A sampling of topics to be covered include:
*Processes for collaborative problem-solving and conflict resolution: principled negotiation (negotiation for mutual gains), dialogue, consensus building, Six Thinking Hats, group facilitation, public involvement
*Personal conflict management styles and skills
*Environmental justice and cultural awareness
*Leadership
*Key environmental issues in Virginia involving land use, such as open space conservation, smart growth, water quality, Superfund site cleanup and redevelopment, and sustainable agriculture and forestry.
Dates:
Session 1: Wed-Fri, September 5-7, 2007: Central Virginia
Session 2: Wed-Fri, November 7-9, 2007: Hampton Roads
Session 3: Wed-Fri, January 9-11, 2008: Richmond
Session 4: Wed-Fri, March 12-14, 2008: Shenandoah Valley
Session 5: Wed-Fri, April 23-25, 2008: Southwest Virginia
Session 6: Wed-Fri, June 4-6, 2008; Charlottesville
Graduation Dinner: June 5, 2008
*Applicants must be able to attend ALL six sessions; if you cannot, please consider applying in a subsequent year.
Cost:
Program Fees for 2007-2008 are $2,100. Scholarships are available to reduce cost as a barrier.
*This includes 18 workshop days, all materials and books, meeting rooms, field trip transportation, all breaks and at least Wednesday's dinner and Thursday's lunch for each session.
*Lodging, travel, and some food (Wednesday and Friday's lunches, breakfasts, and dinner Thursday night) are additional costs you will need to cover. We use allowable state travel rates as a guide in planning accommodations.
*Many participants secure funding from their own organization and/or a donor agency.
To Apply:
Applications can be downloaded online at: www.virginia.edu/ien/vnrli
For further information, contact:
Caroline Wilkinson, VNRLI Program Manager at cwilk@virginia.edu or (434)924-6569

Building Trails to a Greener Future: Linking the Economy, Healthy Communities, and the Environment
Date: May 17-19, 2007
Location: Radford University
Conference highlights include:
**Trail and Green Infrastructure Development and Implementation
**Active Living by Design / Safe Routes to School
**Virginia Tourism Corporation – Recreational Business Program
**Recreational Access and Active Railroads
**Management / Maintenance of Green Infrastructure and Trails
**Pedestrian Design Workshop – Thursday, May 17, 2007
Conference flyer:  http://www.nrvpdc.org/trailsconference.html. 

The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods - Historic Tax Credit Seminar
Date: Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 AM to noon
Location: Parish Hall at St. John's Episcopal Church, 2401 E Broad Street, Richmond VA
The Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is one financial incentive available to historic prorty owners to help offset the costs of renovating a historic house. A.C.O.R.N. will hold its second tax credit seminar that covers the various components of this financial tool to help participants decide whether or not to participate in the program. The following topics will be discussed in detail on how the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is utilized and can be beneficial.
** Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits: The Application Process
** Tax Credit Accounting: tax laws & regulations related to the Historic Tax Credit
** Syndicating (Selling) Historic Tax Credits: Getting Cash from your Project
COST: $20 A.C.O.R.N. members / $35 non-members ~ Reservations and advance payment are required
For more Information: Click here to view the online flyer

National Wildlife Federation Launches Green Hour Website
NWF's Program focuses on getting children outdoors for one hour every day.
Visit: http://www.greenhour.org/

COALITION FOR SMARTER GROWTH - Managing Director
Location: Washington, DC
Deadline: Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Start date on or around June 1st.
The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading smart growth group covering the Washington, DC Metropolitan Region. Founded in 1997 by partner groups in the conservation community, the Coalition remains a collaborative effort of its partners addressing the key issues of where and how our region will grow. Our mission is to ensure that transportation and development decisions are made with genuine community participation and allow the region to accommodate growth while revitalizing communities, providing more housing and travel choices, and conserving our natural and historic areas.
Role Description
The Managing Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, including staff management, hiring, fundraising and finances, with an additional role in communications. The Managing Director will work with the Executive Director to ensure the day-to-day operations of our 10 person staff move the organization towards our long-term vision. The Managing Director will play a key role in anticipating and planning for organizational development needs. This person would also be responsible for our media/marketing campaign, building upon the Coalition’s effective use of earned media to communicate our message, and will provide communications advice and support to our partners.
Primary Responsibilities include:
· Working collaboratively with the Executive Director to ensure the organization’s effectiveness
and success;
· Developing, managing and advising the Coalition’s staff;
· Financial planning and management, including developing, tracking and managing the
organization’s budget and revenue plan with the support of an accounting team;
· Identifying, cultivating and securing support from existing and new foundation and
institutional donors;
· Organizational development and management, including establishing community advisory
boards;
· Conducting public relations and marketing efforts to support our campaign and outreach goals;
· Providing training and consultations on communications, media strategy and framing for our
staff and partners; and
· Ensuring we are utilizing all of our communication tools to expand, engage, educate and
activate our constituency;
Qualifications:
· Seasoned non-profit manager;
· Proven experience managing staff and organizational resources to create a thriving,
collaborative, and effective team;
· A sincere interest and love for staff and organizational management;
· Commitment to a strengths based organizational culture and management approach;
· Experience managing budgets and creating and implementing fundraising plans;
· Successful experience with media campaigns from creating a plan to pitching reporters;
· Strong communications skills;
· An ability to balance immediate & long term needs;
· Talent for thinking strategically to ensure effective delivery and coordination of our
programs, communications and organizational goals;
· Applicants will need to have excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to work independently
and as part of a larger team, a sense of humor, and must be able to work occasional
weekends and evenings;
· Knowledge of growth and transportation issues; and
· An understanding of Virginia, DC, and Maryland culture and politics, and experience working in and knowledge of Washington area jurisdictions are preferred, but not required.
To Apply:
Email a letter outlining interest and qualifications along with a resume, and 1-2 work samples (fundraising, media, marketing, or other written materials) to jobs@smartergrowth.net
For more information about the Coalition for Smarter Growth visit: www.SmarterGrowth.net
and www.washingtonregion.net for information about our housing and equitable development initiatives.

DUCKS UNLIMITED - Conservation Internship
Location: Mid-Atlantic Field Office, Annapolis, MD
Deadline: April 25, 2007 or until filled
This position will work closely with staff responsible for habitat delivery in the 6 Mid-Atlantic states, as well as assist in outreach, landowner education, research opportunities, and partnership development. 
Duties/Responsibilities may include:
Support biologists and conservation staff in evaluating habitat restoration opportunities; Assist in reporting and grant writing; Data entry and analysis; Serve as a liaison with private landowners, cooperators, and state and federal agencies; Conduct public presentations and outreach
Qualifications:
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife or wetlands related field, Masters preferred.  Successful applicants will be highly motivated; have strong, demonstrated oral and written communications skills; have the ability to work both independently and as a team member; and knowledge of waterfowl, wetlands, and wildlife habitat issues.
Salary: This is a 12-month position with a stipend of $1,300 per month.
To Apply: Send resume, cover letter and references to: 
Grace Bottitta, Manager of Conservation Programs
Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Office,
34 Defense Street, Suite 200,
Annapolis, MD 21401.
Phone: 410.224.6620; Fax: 410.224.2077 or email adonohue@ducks.org.

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--join a Legislative Contact Team!
For More Information Contact:
Suzanne Ankrum, Program Coordinator
Virginia Conservation Network
Phone: (804) 644-0283
Email: suzanne@vcnva.org
or
Mike Kaestner, Program Coordinator
Virginia League of Conservation Voters – Education Fund
Phone: (804) 225-1902
Email: mkaestner@valcv.org