Bright Ideas for A Brighter Future
Saturday, October 6, 2007
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
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ALGAE’S OUT OF SIGHT, BUT ON GROUP’S MIND
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation hopes photos will arouse public anger
August 23, 2007 - Richmond Times Dispatch
People get worked up over oil spills and dead fish.  They don't lose a lot of sleep over discolored water they don't even see.  And that is the challenge facing the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, an environmental group, in marshaling support to clean the bay.  The bay's top problem is excess waste from sewage plants and from fertilizer, manure and grime that run off the land. This waste fuels sudden growths of algae, which can make waters so foul they are unfit for fish. But most people never see the algae. – BY REX SPRINGSTON

RULE TO EXPAND MOUNTAINTOP COAL MINING
August 23, 2007 - New York Times
The Bush administration is set to issue a regulation on Friday that would enshrine the coal mining practice of mountaintop removal. The technique involves blasting off the tops of mountains and dumping the rubble into valleys and streams.  It has been used in Appalachian coal country for 20 years under a cloud of legal and regulatory confusion. The new rule would allow the practice to continue and expand, providing only that mine operators minimize the debris and cause the least environmental harm, although those terms are not clearly defined and to some extent merely restate existing law. - By John M. Broder

VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS RIDERSHIP IS UP
Commuters likely to ask for later trains
August 15, 2007 - The Examiner
More riders are hopping on Virginia Railway Express trains this summer just as the beleaguered system prepares to study why commuters have been staying away. Ridership increased nearly 2 percent in June and 4 percent in July compared with last summer, spokesman Mark Roeber said, helping to offset concern that VRE was unable to meet ridership projections this year. - BY DAN GENZ

State Water Control Board – Special Board Meeting
Date: Monday, August 30 at 10:00am
Location: General Assembly Building, House Room C, 9th & Broad Streets, Richmond
The State Water Control Board hosts a meeting to discuss the Captain’s Cove Utility Permit application.
Agenda Details: Available here
More Information from DEQ on meeting: Contact Cindy Berndt at cmberndt@deq.virginia.gov or 804.698.4378

Piedmont Environmental Council Annual Meeting
Date: Saturday, September 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Salem Farm, Marshall, Va.
A packed agenda features the PEC staff providing workshops on various topics and projects. Lunch is provided. Cost is $35.00 per person.
More Information: http://www.pecva.org/

Virginia Environmental Assembly and the Wild & Scenic Film Festival
VEA Date: Saturday, October 6, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Film Festival: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Location: Andrews Hall, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Come hear renowned speakers share Bright Ideas for a Brighter Future and participate in Virginia Conservation Network's annual gathering of conservationists, policy experts, concerned citizens, and activists.
For More Information: Visit www.vcnva.org/2007veassembly.php
Registration, lodging, directions, and schedule of events are available online
Interested in exhibiting: Visit www.vcnva.org/2007veassembly.php#exhibit or call Suzanne Ankrum at 804.644.0283

Scenic Virginia hosts 2007 Scenic Awards Luncheon
Date: Friday, October 26 beginning at noon
Location: Kent-Valentine House, Richmond
The event is open to the public, but seating is limited.
For more information: Call Scenic Virginia at 804.282.5522 or contact us at email@scenicvirginia.org.
To nominate awardees: Scenic Virginia is accepting nominations for worthy projects by Friday, September 14 at 5:00 pm. For more information and the nomination form visit www.scenicvirginia.org/awards.html

2007 Virginia Climate Action Conference
Time: Saturday, October 27 from 8:30 am to 5:00pm
Where: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
For more information: visit www.vaclimateaction.org  or e-mail vaclimateaction@hotmail.com.

GreenMatters – Designing new homes | Renovating Old Homes
Workshop on LEED building
Date: August 29
Location: Habitat’s ReStore on Harris Street in Charlottesville.
Piedmont Housing Alliance and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville have teamed up for a workshop to tell you everything you need to know about ‘going green” in designing new homes or renovating old ones.
For more information: call Ryan Jacoby at (434) 293-6331 or visit www.greenmatters.info

Virginia’s 2007 Rural Summit: Widening the Road
Date: September 9 – 11
Location: Omni Hotel, Charlottesville, VA
The Summit will focus on Community Capacity Building, Workforce Development and education, and access to capital for entrepreneurs and Small business.
For More Information: Visit www.councilforruralvirginia.org/registration-07.htm

FRIENDS OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK - Marketing and Development Coordinator
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Friends of the Rappahannock is hiring a Marketing and Development Coordinator to assist organizational leaders in marketing river conservation programs to the public, corporate sponsors, major donors, and members. The ideal candidate will have a B.A. in a relevant field, interest in grassroots river conservation, and possess strong communications and interpersonal skills.
Full Position Description: Visit www.vcnva.org/jops.php
To Apply
Mail a cover letter, resume, and three references to: Jennifer Allen, Programs Manager, Friends of the Rappahannock, PO Box 7254, Fredericksburg, VA 22404 or email the materials to jenn_allen@riverfriends.org.
Friends of the Rappahannock Job Openings

CIVIL WAR PRESERVATION TRUST- Grants Associate
The Grants Associate will be responsible for expanding CWPT's use of funding available for battlefield preservation from federal, state and local government entities, as well as other non-profit organizations. The ideal candidate will have a BA/BS and 2-3 years of professional experience. Strong initiative, interpersonal, presentation, and computer skills are required. An interest in American history and its preservation is essential.
To Apply: E-mail letters and resume to developmentresumes@civilwar.org.
For More Information: Visit www.civilwar.org/aboutus/a_jobsandinternships.htm

PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL- Loudoun County Field Officer/Campaign Director
Location:   Leesburg, Virginia
PEC is 30 year-old non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the Virginia Piedmont's rural economy, natural resources, history and beauty. The Loudoun County Field officer will develop and execute strategies to engage citizens, organizations, and regional media in land use and conservation, transportation planning, community development, and natural resource protection.
Full Job Description Available at www.vcnva.org/jobs.php
To Apply: Send a cover letter and a resume with 2 references to Dawn Wilmot, Assistant to the President, PEC at dwilmot@pecva.org or mail to P.O. Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188

Virginia Bluebird Society Seeks Volunteers
The Virginia Bluebird Society is always looking for volunteers to monitor its bluebird box trails in locations all over the State of Virginia. No experience is needed, as training is provided to anyone who is interested in spending a couple of hours, one week a month, working as a member of a team on one of the VA Bluebird Society trails. A typical volunteer counts and records the eggs and chicks inside bluebird boxes especially designed for cavity nesting birds. Enjoy walking trails in Virginia’s beautiful public lands.
To Volunteer or for more information: Contact Barbara Chambers the VBS State Coordinator at bj.chambers@verizon.net