A heartfelt “thank you” to the 225+ conservation-minded Virginians who rose early on a frigid holiday morning to take part in Conservation Lobby Day last Monday.  Thanks also to our partners at the Garden Club of Virginia and to VCN members like the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Piedmont Environmental Council, who helped turn out a record number of concerned citizens.

We heard from former DEQ director Bob Burnley on the urgent need to protect citizen environmental boards and from farmer Bill Speiden and expert Velma Smith on the frightening specter of uranium mining in Virginia.  We also heard from Sen. Chap Peterson on his plan to promote energy efficiency and renewables.  Then, we took the message to our elected officials, telling them how much the environment matters to constituents. 

Unfortunately, we can’t afford to pat ourselves on the back for one great day of action.  With scores of lobbyists roaming the halls of the General Assembly, we must remind our representatives that we’re watching.  So be sure to keep checking for updates on the many crucial environmental issues before the Assembly, and take a moment to write or call your legislators to remind them that you’re counting on them to forge sound environmental policy for the Commonwealth.

Best,
Nathan Lott
VCN Executive Director

DON'T QUELL CITIZENS' VOICE
January 25, 2008 - Staunton News-Leader Editorial
As political issues go, few are closer to Virginia residents than the air they breathe. That's why decisions about air, water and waste management must remain within our grasp, not relegated to a back room in Richmond. Del. R. Steven Landes's bill to give the power to issue environmental regulations to the director of the Department of Environmental Quality rather than the three citizen advisory boards — air, water and wast management.

INTERSTATE 81 PROJECT FALLS THROUGH
January 17, 2008 – Richmond Times-Dispatch
The joint public-private project to widen Interstate 81 is dead...Opponents of the much-criticized Star Solutions plan to add separated, toll-financed truck lanes to I-81 were pleased to see the end of the deal but worried the huge project still has life. "Only the separated, toll truck-lane project is dead," said Megan Gallagher with the Shenandoah Valley Network. "We're still battling a massive widening that's much too big, costly and destructive." - BY PETER BACQUE

Protect VA Taxpayers - Oppose Senate Bill 768: A Taxpayer Subsidy for Developers
Background:
Developer and homebuilder lobbyists in Richmond are pushing a bill that would pass even more costs of new development onto existing taxpayers. SB 768 would replace the current "proffer" system with very low "impact fees."
What is a "proffer"?
The proffer system was developed with developers/builders input. While not perfect, it consists of voluntary and fair developer contributions to the costs of rezonings (usually for more units). These proffers (including in-kind) go to help pay for roads and transit, schools, parks, police/fire resources, libraries, affordable housing trust funds, water/sewer systems and other needs generated by new development.
What would "impact fees" change things?
SB 768 proposes a substitute "impact fees" system that would severely reduce those contributions - by 50% or more per new home constructed. Further, the bill gives so many off-setting credits that the payments could shrink to virtually nothing. All this means that taxpayers will be asked to shoulder even more of the burden to pay for all these facilities.
Don't let developer lobbyists leave us with even higher tax bills.
Take Action!
Let your elected officials know that you oppose SB 768 by clicking "Take Action" above
(1) Tell your local elected officials to oppose SB 768. Contact information.
(2) Ask your Senator to oppose SB 768.
(3) You can also call the General Assembly constituent hotline and leave a message for your Senator at 1-800-889-0229

Sign the Bipartisan Redistricting Petition
Add your voice to the growing crowd of Virginias who believe that the time is right to cut down on gridlock, bring people together, and solve problems in Richmond. Every 10 years, the party in power draws district boundaries to help themselves stay in power. It fundamentally undermines our democracy and it needs to stop. This year we have a chance - this year we can pass bipartisan redistricting reform and end partisan gerrymandering in Virginia. But we need your help to do it. Virginia Conservation Network supports a Bipartisan Redistricting Commission that will give voters a voice in the redistricting process, increase competition at the ballot box, and help hold politicians accountable.
Sign the petition for Bipartisan Redistricting Reform today
For More Information: click here.

Tell Legislators: STOP for Pedestrians
Pedestrian safety is a major issue in Virginia. As the number of cars and drivers has increased, walking has been increasingly perceived as unsafe. While this is especially true in heavily congested communities, such as those in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads; it is a problem everywhere, including small towns and rural areas.
For More Information: Visit Alexandria website
Contact your legislators and let them know you support HB1270 and SB644

2008 General Assembly Session - Legislative Positions
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters hosts an list of positions on 2008 legislation.
VCN shares the positions found online at http://capwiz.com/valcvef/issues/bills/

Richmond’s First Annual Environmental Film Festival
When: February 9-10
Where: The Byrd Theatre, Richmond, VA
The festival will be an opportunity for the Richmond community to come together and have a conversation about overpopulation, pollution, deforestation, global warming, open space destruction, corporate profiteering, and mountaintop removal mining
For More Information: Visit www.thebiggestpicture.org

New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities
Date: February 7-9, 2008
Location: Marriot Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC
3-day conference featuring cutting-edge smart growth issues, the latest research, implementation tools and strategies, optional tours of local model projects, interactive learning experiences, new partners, projects and policies.
To find out more and to register: Visit www.NewPartners.org

Renewable Energy Internship Program in Germany
When: Late May 2008 – August 2008
CDS has partnered with the American Council on Renewable Energy and InWEnt to offer a renewable energy internship program in Germany for students with 2 years of college German or the equivalent.
For More Information: Visit www.cdsintl.org/fromusa/tree.htm

SIERRA CLUB VIRGINIA CHAPTER – Grassroots Organizer
Deadline: February 8
Sierra Club-Virginia Chapter, the nation’s oldest, largest grassroots environmental organization is seeking an experienced grassroots organizer to promote smart growth that protects our land, waters and the climate in Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads area. Experience in outreach, events, media, and advocacy are basic requirements for this exciting position.
To Apply: Please send cover letters and resumes to Dana Snead at dana.snead@sierraclub.org.  
For More Information: virginia.sierraclub.org/index.html
EOE. 

VIRGINIA FOREST WATCH - Executive Director
Location: Roanoke or Charlottesville, VA preferred
Deadline: Feb. 15, 2008
The Executive Director will lead the staff consisting of a Public Forest Program Director and a Private Forest Program Director, facilitate the development and execution of our strategic plan, lead fund-raising efforts in conjunction with the Board of Directors, and serve as a spokesperson for Virginia Forest Watch.
Qualifications: 
Candidates for this position will possess a commitment to sustainable forest management practices. Candidates are have experience in fund-raising, management, and highly developed communications skills.  Frequent travel is required.
To Apply:
Send an email with your cover letter, resume, writing sample and references to: vafw@mounet.com   
For More Information: Email Steve Brooks at vafw@mounet.com or call 276-479-2176
To learn more about VAFW visit www.virginiaforestwatch.org

NEW RIVER VALLEY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIP - Coordinator
The New River Valley Planning District Commission is looking for a project coordinator to staff the New River Valley Green Infrastructure Partnership. The Coordinator will lead an evaluation of existing natural resource and built infrastructure information for plan development and prioritization by localities and communities. Additionally, the Coordinator will develop organizational structure and identify funding sources for growth preparedness projects.
For more information: Please contact David Rundgren or Abigail Convery at 540-639-9313 or dave.nrvpdc@nrvdc.org.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation- Grasses for the Masses
Combined with efforts to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution and soil runoff, the Grasses for the Masses program helps improve the Bay’s health by increasing the amount of grasses in the Bay. It’s easy. CBF provides the equipment, instructions and support needed for growing the grasses.
Workshops: Richmond on February 13 and 23 or Alexandria on February 19 and 26
Register for a workshop: please sign-up on-line today.
For more information click here or contact Jess Barton at Jbarton@cbf.org or (804) 780-1392

Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund – Small Watershed and Conservation Innovation Grants Programs
Deadline: February 29, 2008
The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program provides grants of $20,000 to $200,000 each to organizations and local governments working on a local level to protect and improve watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin while building citizen-based resource stewardship. The program also provides small grants for project planning and design.
For More Information: CLICK HERE
To register for the Webcast on 1/23: Visit http://www.nfwf.org/chesapeake
Contact Amanda Bassow, amanda.bassow@nfwf.org , Brian Kittler, brian.kittler@nfwf.org or call (202) 857-0166.

FARM FOUNDATION - FUNDING FOR CONFERENCES TARGETING RURAL ISSUES
DEADLINE: Applications may be submitted at any time
The Farm Foundation provides support to private and public organizations to present multi-state or national conferences and workshops that address economic and policy issues critical to agriculture and people in rural communities. The Foundation seeks project proposals that specifically address one of the following priority areas: Consumer Issues, Environmental Quality and Natural Resources Issues, Globalization, New Technologies, Role of Agricultural Institutions, or Rural Community Viability.
For More Information: Visit www.farmfoundation.org/guidelines.htm