VIRGINIA FALLS SHORT ON ITS GOAL TO SAVE BAY
October 17, 2007 – Richmond Times Dispatch
Virginia's budget shortfall may hinder state lawmakers trying to find money to meet the state's commitments to land preservation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. – BY GREG EDWARDS

BRIGHT IDEA FOR CITY ROOFTOPS?
October 13, 2007 – Daily Progress
Most building rooftops are little more than barren, concrete expanses, home only to satellite dishes and heating units. James S. Brown sees something entirely different: an untapped investment opportunity for alternative energy. – BY SETH ROSEN

Civil War Preservation Trust – Ask the U.S. House and Senate to Reactivate the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act
Background
This past summer, a bipartisan group of preservation leaders in the U.S. House and Senate introduced the “Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act of 2007.”  This would reauthorize the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program, the primary tool that CWPT and other battlefield preservation groups use to acquire historically significant battlefield land.  The program provides federal matching grants that have helped protect more than 14,000 acres of hallowed ground throughout the nation. Without this program, many lands associated with these famous battlefields would have fallen to the backhoe and bulldozer in the past decade. Passage of the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act (H.R. 2933 in the House and S. 1921 in the Senate) will guarantee that this extremely valuable preservation tool will continue to be available to protect endangered battlefield land through 2013.
TAKE ACTION:
Ask your U.S. Senators and Representatives to cosponsor the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act.  Call, write or email them – whichever you prefer (although calls and letters are always the most effective).  If your elected officials have already signed on thank them for their leadership
For More information:
Civil War Preservation Trust has set up a website with details at www.battlefieldactivist.com.  This website includes sample phone scripts, sample letters, and information on contacting your elected officials in Washington.  It also contains a list of 22 Senators and 61 Representatives who have already embraced this important legislation.
Find your Legislator: www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt
Sample Letters: www.battlefieldactivist.com/TakeAction/SampleLetters.html
Sample Phone Script: www.battlefieldactivist.com/TakeAction/TelephoneScripts.html
List of Supporters: www.battlefieldactivist.com/Support.html
Questions: Call CWPT at 1-800-298-7878 ext. 220. 

Virginians for High Speed Rail - Support Senate Bill 294 without damaging amendments
TAKE ACTION:
Please call Virginia's Senators, and urge them to continue to support S.294. In addition, ask them to vote against any amendment, which will destroy Amtrak’s national network. For example the recent Sununu amendment would kill all trains that lose over $200 a passenger after a certain time. This would severely damage the long-distance network and does not use a rational basis (like revenue-to-cost ratio or loss per passenger-mile). Of course, the network is so skeletal that removing just about any individual route would have significant harmful network impacts.
Sample Language:
“Please support S. 294 and please vote against any anti-train amendment that is offered.””
Contacts:
Senator John Warner: 202-224-2023
Senator Jim Webb: 202-224-4024
For More Information: Visit www.vhsr.com

Appalachian Voices - National Day of Action Against Coal Finance
Date: November 16 & 17
Location: Various
Join Rainforest Action Network, Coal River Mountain Watch, Appalachian Voices , Rising Tide, Mountain Justice Summer, SEAC as they mobilize to stop Bank of America and Citi's investments climate change and the dirty coal industry! It's time to take to the streets and send Bank of America and Citi a strong message that grassroots movements against coal extraction, processing and combustion demand an end to coal financing.
For More Information: Visit www.appalachianvoices.org
Local Events and Helpful Resources: CLICK HERE

Submit Comments on the USDA Forest Legacy Program
Deadline: Comments are Due by January 4, 2008
The USDA Forest Legacy Program provides grant funding to Virginia for forest land conservation. The Legacy program requires that the Assessment of Need document be re-evaluated periodically, and that the public be given the opportunity to comment on the revisions. Virginia began this process in early 2007 with the goal of revising the Eligibility Criteria and the Forest Legacy Areas for the state.  The revised Eligibility Criteria and Forest Legacy Areas are now in draft form, pending public comment. The input received will be considered at the January 23, 2008 meeting of the Forest Legacy Subcommittee.
Submit Comments: www.dof.virginia.gov/mgt/flp-2008-revisions.shtml
For More Information: Contact Larry Mikkelson, Land Acquisition Coordinator, Virginia Department of Forestry at
434.220.9091 or larry.mikkelson@dof.virginia.gov

2007 Virginia Climate Action Conference
Date: 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.

Wildlife Center of Virginia – 25th Anniversary Celebration
Date: November 9 & 10
Location: R.R. Smith Center & Stonewall Jackson Hotel  Staunton, Virginia
For More Information: Visit www.wildlifecenter.org/gala/index.php

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- Multiple Openings
PEC is 30 year-old non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the Virginia Piedmont's rural economy, natural resources, history and beauty.
Jobs Listings: www.pecva.org/anx/index.cfm/1,219,0,0,html/Jobs-amp-Internships

Volunteer for Virginia Conservation Network
Do you live in or near Richmond? Are you looking for a way to get involved in conservation efforts? VCN can use your help from short projects to long-term opportunities.
Contact: Suzanne Ankrum at suzanne@vcnva.org or 804-644-0283 to volunteer