Thanks to the voices of Wild Virginia supporters and partners across the Commonwealth, two important conservation bills have passed the Virginia General Assembly. HB 597 and HB 1073 represent significant progress for both wildlife protection and public safety. These bills will help improve habitat connectivity, reduce wildlife vehicle collisions, and strengthen oversight of natural gas… Read more
Each year on March 22, the United Nations recognizes World Water Day, a global observance focused on the importance of freshwater and the need to protect it. The day traces back to the UN’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and broader global efforts to safeguard natural resources. World Water Day is intended to… Read more
Virginia has taken an important step towards safer roads. The Virginia House Appropriations Subcommittee: Commerce, Agriculture & Natural Resources and full House Appropriations Committee passed HB 597, legislation that creates the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund to support wildlife crossings and corridor infrastructure across the Commonwealth. Next the bill will go before the full House of… Read more
Every year in Virginia, thousands of drivers collide with wildlife. These crashes cause serious injuries and deaths, and cost millions in property damage and emergency response. Virginia ranks among the top ten states for wildlife-vehicle collisions, yet proven solutions exist. Properly designed wildlife crossings can reduce collisions by up to 96%, protecting both drivers and… Read more
Virginia organizations fight to protect the Potomac River from PFAS contamination Wild Virginia and Potomac Riverkeeper Network filed a lawsuit this week challenging a state water pollution permit that they say fails to protect public health and wildlife from dangerous “forever chemicals” at Fort Belvoir, one of the Army’s largest installations. The Problem: PFAS Without… Read more
With winter in full swing, we have had to adapt many aspects of our lives to the cold temperatures and icy conditions. We bundle up, adjust our thermostats, and put ice-scrapers in our cars. However, in order to protect our well-being and the health of our planet, the foods we buy and eat should also… Read more
A pipeline undoubtedly has a significant effect on the areas which they cover, affecting the landscape as well as the people, animals, and natural environment around them. The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) construction over the past several years has raised a variety of unique and salient questions about its impacts, which have included river and… Read more
In her words, being in nature has helped Alison Thomas “look at the big picture”… An apt expression, since Thomas spends her days outside taking pictures of some of the most beautiful outdoor vistas and getting closer to nature through this work. Thomas is an outdoor photographer, and her photography, which includes black and white… Read more
Water quality is a primary focus of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA protects water quality by regulating pollutant discharges into surface waters so as to maintain and restore unhealthy water. But how do you know whether a lake, stream, river, estuary, or other water body is healthy? And what happens when it is… Read more
My name is Ellie Toler, and I’m a second year student at the University of Virginia, studying Global Sustainability and Public Policy. I’ve been interning with Wild Virginia throughout the past academic year, and I’m incredibly grateful for this experience, as it has impacted me both personally and professionally in a number of ways, and… Read more