Applications Open May 15 for Wild Virginia’s Clean Water Advocates Program Clean water is a human right, but the decisions that shape what ends up in our rivers and what flows through our communities are often complex, and not everyone who wants to advocate has the knowledge or skills to influence the outcome. Wild Virginia’s… Read more
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
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
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every November to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American peoples. This month provides an opportunity to learn about traditional arts and crafts such as jewelry making, rug and blanket weaving, quillwork, and beadwork. For environmentalists, this month offers a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding… Read more
Environmental justice is an important area of advocacy, and there are several organizations dedicated to environmental justice in Virginia. It focuses on ensuring that people, regardless of race, income, national origin, or disability, are involved in agency decisions affecting the environment. Involvement of all people in these decisions is crucial to ensuring that everyone (i)… Read more
Don’t be mistaken: Taxpayers are paying for these big data centers “What we know historically about fossil fuel plants is they’re placed in poor communities, and black and brown communities.” Virginia’s data centers have raised environmental concerns as they consume significant energy to support their operations. The energy demand from these facilities results in carbon… 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
Clean water is a necessity of life, and while it is a physical resource, it also has a significant human aspect. Access to clean water is essential for the health and well-being of individuals and communities, and lack of access can lead to a range of problems, including illness, poverty, and social inequality. Grethe Lindemann,… Read more
About a year ago, on August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed by Congress and signed into law. This landmark legislation intended to tackle inflation, lower costs for Americans, accelerate the deployment of clean-energy technology, combat climate change, and advance environmental justice. As we mark the first anniversary of the IRA, let’s… Read more