In the spring of 2015, Dr. Eric Roy received word from a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) member regarding elevated lead levels in Flint, Michigan’s water. At that time, the residents of Flint were unaware of the water’s contents and long before the city faced a public health emergency. Roy, a chemist specializing in water… Read more
If we’re critically thinking about it – mushrooms have incredible properties and life saving attributes (umm, hello penicillin). Penicillin G was first made from a penicillium fungus that occurs in nature. Mushrooms show us that our environment is far from binary. Enter queer ecology: an emerging field that seeks to explore the connections between ecological… Read more
Pollutants in drinking water can pose serious health risks if consumed in high concentrations. Common pollutants found in drinking water include heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic, as well as chemicals like pesticides and industrial solvents. These contaminants can enter water sources through various means such as agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and improper waste… Read more
At a meeting of the Virginia State Water Control Board on February 23, 2024, members of the public asked the Board to tell the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to enforce the law and to stop degradation of our streams, our properties, and our drinking water sources caused by Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). Citizens presented… Read more
Virginia, like many other states, faces a variety of environmental issues that require attention and action. One significant concern is water quality, particularly related to pollution from agricultural runoff, urban stormwater, and industrial sources. Efforts to protect and restore the health of waterways such as the Chesapeake Bay are ongoing, with initiatives aimed at reducing… Read more
Car accidents are a leading cause of death for many animals, including endangered species. Unfortunately, Virginia is no exception to this trend. In recent years, there have been several incidents of car accidents involving endangered species in the state. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 2019 when a red wolf was hit by… Read more
Founded as the Conservation Council of Virginia in 1969, Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) began as a roundtable of major conservation groups and has grown to include over 150 Network Partners across the Commonwealth (including Wild Virginia). Their annual Conservation Lobby Day is coming up and it’s your chance to lobby with fellow advocates in your… Read more
Recycling is a crucial practice to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment. Below is a list of various items that can be recycled, along with some brief information about each category. National Recycling Day is November 15! 1. Paper Products 2. Plastics 3. Glass 4. Metals 5. Electronics 6. Textiles 7. Organic Waste… Read more
Opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline have experienced a tumultuous few years. In the summer of 2022, Senator Joe Manchin made a deal with President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. He agreed to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act in exchange for a commitment to pass a bill that would try to… Read more
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of toxic man-made chemicals known for their non-stick, waterproof, stain-resistant characteristics that have been used in consumer products and industry for decades. Unfortunately, these chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body. Even very low exposure to some PFAS… Read more