Cruise ships are often seen as luxurious floating resorts, offering a wide range of entertainment, including casinos. While these onboard casinos provide leisure and excitement to passengers, they also contribute to significant environmental issues. Josh Stanfield, Executive Director of Activate Virginia and a recent graduate of our Clean Water Advocates Program, joins our podcast to… Read more
Wild Virginia recently hosted Paul Angermeier, an expert in his field, for a webinar on climate change and impacts on freshwater systems. This lively discussion revolved around Paul Angermeier’s research on ecology and conservation of stream fishes, ecosystem services provided by watersheds, and the use of biotic communities to assess aquatic ecosystem health. With decades of experience… Read more
As the holiday season approaches, many of us are in search of the perfect gifts for our loved ones. However, with growing awareness of environmental issues, more people are considering the impact of their gift-giving choices. This year, why not embrace sustainability and give gifts that are thoughtful, meaningful, and kind to our planet? Here’s… Read more
Aquatic crossings, like culverts, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological connectivity and facilitating wildlife movement across landscapes fragmented by human infrastructure. Designing these crossings to be wildlife-friendly can significantly enhance biodiversity and support ecosystem health. Below are key considerations and strategies for creating effective aquatic crossings. What is the guidance for creating aquatic crossings?… Read more
The National Day of Mourning is an annual event observed in the United States on Thanksgiving Day. It serves as a time for reflection and remembrance of the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native American communities. The National Day of Mourning is significant because it challenges the dominant narrative of Thanksgiving and highlights the… Read more
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, Wild Virginia recognized volunteers who completed a nine-week course that is designed to empower and equip individuals, communities, and organizations to protect Virginia’s water quality. Twenty-four participants were chosen for this year’s program, which teaches graduates about legal and technical frameworks for water pollution control and gives them practical tools to advocate effectively…. Read more
Driving through the scenic routes of Virginia in October and November can be a breathtaking experience with the fall foliage. However, it’s also a time to be vigilant about wildlife that may unexpectedly cross your path. Here are some animals to be on the lookout for: Deer Black Bears Wild Turkeys Foxes Raccoons Safety Tips… Read more
Through a tribal-wide vote, the Rappahannock Tribe in Virginia has become the first Tribal Nation in the U.S. to adopt a Tribal Constitution that recognizes the constitutional rights of nature. The new Rappahannock Constitution recognizes the legally enforceable rights of the Rappahannock River to “exist, flourish, regenerate, and evolve.” The Constitution also recognizes that the… Read more
Neither Anita Fontaine nor owner, Jill Fees, had any experience in the sustainability field but knew that their town needed this store. Anita has wanted to have a store for as long as she can remember, and really wanted access to the plastic-free products she was seeing online. She was thinking about starting a refillery-style… Read more
The diamondback terrapin was once so closely associated with Maryland that the state’s leading university adopted the terp as its mascot, and it holds the title of the official state reptile. In Virginia, it is illegal to collect diamondback terrapins for commercial or personal use. However, this species has encountered significant challenges, initially from overharvesting for food and… Read more